2013 Ford Expedition problems
The 2013 Ford Expedition has 92 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2013 Ford Expedition has 92 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 43 complaints, typically surfacing around 98,433 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 Expedition | 58 | 0 |
| 2011 Expedition | 71 | 0 |
| 2012 Expedition | 116 | 1 |
| 2013 Expedition (this page) | 92 | 0 |
| 2014 Expedition | 71 | 0 |
| 2015 Expedition | 164 | 1 |
| 2016 Expedition | 212 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2013 Ford Expedition EXTENDED SUV 4x4. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2013 Ford Expedition? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- powertrain — 43 owner reports · tends to show around 98,433 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 55,845 mi · ~$850 to fix
- engine — 6 owner reports · tends to show around 75,992 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- cruise control — 5 owner reports · tends to show around 103,253 mi · ~$600 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 55,845 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2013 Ford Expedition
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
While vacationing in virginia I was driving about 60 MPH on a busy highway when the car suddenly shifted into first gear, which very nearly caused a rear end collision by the vehicle behind me. I got the car to a Ford dealership and it was repaired under warranty. Seems like…
The transmission is shifting dangerously. All the lights on the dash are flashing and the speedometer doesn't work. We were driving at highway speed and the transmission shifted into first gear causing an abrupt slowing of the Expedition. When we stopped at a red light the…
Left front strut failed losing charge and causing unsafe steering and suspension movement with less than 31k miles. Right rear strut failed shortly after. Ford states this is a known safety issue but no recall.
At 13,000 miles rear differential started showing signs of failure, Ford stated howl and noise was normal. At 31,000 miles Ford stated there was an issue and ring and pinion had begun to fail. Had it failed while driving the rear end would have most likely locked up. A…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Ford Expedition reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 92 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Ford Expedition is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2013 Ford Expedition?
On the NHTSA data, the 2013 Ford Expedition does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Ford Expedition?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 43 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 98,433 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2013 Ford Expedition a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 92 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 98,433 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Ford Expedition?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 43 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 98,433 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 98,433 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford Expedition has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Ford Expedition?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 92 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.