2016 Ford Expedition problems
The 2016 Ford Expedition has 212 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2016 Ford Expedition has 212 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is brakes at 46 complaints, typically surfacing around 66,255 miles (~$450 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Expedition | 92 | 0 |
| 2014 Expedition | 71 | 0 |
| 2015 Expedition | 164 | 1 |
| 2016 Expedition (this page) | 212 | 0 |
| 2017 Expedition | 354 | 1 |
| 2018 Expedition | 363 | 6 |
| 2019 Expedition | 464 | 2 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
- Powertrain: 34 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 53,000–95,000 mi
- Electrical system: 29 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 116,467–140,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.4/10 — around 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 5 / 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: 2016 Ford Expedition 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 2016 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
- brakes — 46 owner reports · tends to show around 66,255 mi · ~$450 to fix
- powertrain — 34 owner reports · tends to show around 70,404 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 29 owner reports · tends to show around 116,879 mi · ~$850 to fix
- engine — 23 owner reports · tends to show around 86,210 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 70,404 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: 7.4/10 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 2016 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
Your road ahead on this 2016 Ford Expedition
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~54,297 micruise control~$600
- ~61,000 mibrakes~$450
- ~70,000 miengine~$3,100
- ~74,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~133,000 mielectrical~$850
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Ford expedition. While driving 50 MPH, the wrench icon illuminated and the vehicle began to stall. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and was able to restart it after the failure. The contact took the vehicle to gator Ford (11780…
Rear camera is inoperable or intermittent. It has been for over a year. Ford finally issued a recall notice I believe in September 2025. They have still not corrected the problem or even sent a letter confirming when it will be completed. I feel there should be reasonable time…
Navigation system fails, does not route correctly. Fear for getting lost or not making appointments. Phone conversations via blue tooth on connected phones to auto will break up or drop preventing emergency calls.
I receive a recall 22S56 for the climate control blower motor it was replaced under warranty on 12/17/2024 about a year latter I noticed blower stopped working on 12/13/2025 coming from San Francisco because visibility was affected when defroster stopped working, then I called…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2016 Ford Expedition reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 212 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 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 2016 Ford Expedition?
The 2016 Ford Expedition is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Powertrain: 34 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 53,000–95,000 mi; Electrical system: 29 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 116,467–140,000 mi; Reliability score 7.4/10 — around 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 2016 Ford Expedition?
Inspect the brakes first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 46 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 66,255 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 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 2016 Ford Expedition a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 212 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is brakes. Typical failure occurs around 66,255 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 2016 Ford Expedition?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 46 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 66,255 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 66,255 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 2016 Ford Expedition?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 212 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, 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.