Various 2020-2026 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system (BLIS) may experience an inoperative blind spot monitoring with a "Blind Spot System Fault" message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC). This may also be accompanied by diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B118C:11 and/or B118C:15 stored in the driver door module (DDM), and/or B118D:11 and/or B118D:15 stored in the passenger door module (PDM). This may be due to the wiring connector from the mirror to the BLIS module. If diagnostics lead to an internal mirror wiring harness fault, a new lower level BLIS light pigtail is now released for service. It is not necessary to replace the exterior mirror as
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2021 Ford Expedition electrical problems
severe 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
2fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 19 electrical complaints filed for the 2021 Ford Expedition, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2020-2025 various Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system (BLIS) may experience an inoperative blind spot monitoring with a "Blind Spot System Fault" message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC). This may also be accompanied by diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B118C:11 and/or B118C:15 stored in the driver door module (DDM), and/or B118D:11 and/or B118D:15 stored in the passenger door module (PDM). This may be due to the wiring connector from the mirror to the BLIS module. If diagnostics lead to an internal mirror wiring harness fault, a new lower level BLIS light pigtail is now released for service. It is not necessary to replace the exterior mirr
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Various 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience a partially or fully black center display screen at start-up using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. This does not affect rear camera operation. This may be due to interference from the phone being connected into the media hub using a universal serial bus (USB) cable during SYNC system boot up. To correct his condition, advise the customer to disconnect the USB cable from the phone. If the center display screen displays normally, reconnect the phone. If the concern persists, disconnect the phone from the USB cable, cycle the ignition off and open the driver's door so the interior lights come on. Close the door, star
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2020-2023 Ford and Lincoln SYNC3 equipped vehicles may experience an inaccurate notification in the FordPassî/LincolnWayî app indicating Vehicle Has Entered Deep Sleep Mode. Vehicle Has Entered Deep Sleep Mode message is expected if the vehicle has not been started for 14 consecutive days, battery voltage is at/below 9.5 volts or the body control module (BCM) 12 volt battery state of charge (SoC) drops below 50%. If the vehicle is going into deep sleep due to one of these conditions, follow normal Workshop Manual (WSM) Section 414-01 procedure to correct the concern. If the vehicle is going into deep sleep outside these conditions, this may be due to the telematics control unit (T
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2021 Ford Expedition has a cluster of serious electrical failures reported by multiple owners. Complete power loss while driving tops the list: the engine stalls at traffic lights and refuses to restart for 1 to 9 minutes, leaving owners stranded with nonfunctional brakes, steering assist, and gear shifters. Owners have had to replace batteries and Sync systems to no avail, and dealers respond they cannot identify the source or blame cold weather.
Several owners describe underhood fires, with flames shooting from the engine area and fires that spread to the fuse box. Two critical issues emerge in these fire incidents: battery terminal connections left hand-tight after recall work (22S36 for Underhood fires) and fuse box covers not reinstalled, allowing water intrusion when driving in rain. One vehicle caught fire with family members inside and was totaled; another owner had to use a fire extinguisher to prevent total loss.
Battery drain is another pattern—vehicles drop below 9 volts despite new batteries, triggering automatic power shutdowns and leaving owners stranded. The backup camera stays black in reverse mode, creating visibility hazards, though Ford has declined to recall this vehicle model despite issuing the same recall for other Ford models. The hands-free hatch opens on its own and has struck an occupant, causing concussion.
Same Ford Expedition electrical reports on nearby years: 2018 · 2020 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024
Failure modes owners describe
Complete power loss while driving
Engine stalls or shuts off completely while vehicle is in motion or stopped at traffic lights, with loss of steering assist, braking function, and ability to restart immediately.
When: While stopped at red lights; at various intervals after purchase; one incident at ~500 miles; multiple incidents reported over 14 months
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls at traffic lights; Wheels lock up; Brake and gas pedals non-responsive; Dashboard power on but no controls respond; Battery light and circular arrow light blink; Vehicle rolls backward; Unable to shift gears; Check engine warning light illuminated; Dashboard warning 'Shift to P. Restart Engine'; Delay of 1-9 minutes before restart
Codes mentioned: Battery junction box failure, Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports battery junction box was replaced at dealer; another owner tried Sync update ($100) then new battery ($700) without resolution; dealers typically respond they cannot identify the problem or attribute it to cold weather or auto start/stop function
Underhood electrical fire
Active fire beneath the hood, in some cases with flames shooting upward, water intrusion into fuse box suspected when driving in rain. Battery terminals loose and fuse box cover missing after recall work.
When: One incident February 2024; one incident April 2026 (rain); one incident while parked with engine running; recall 22S36 for Underhood fires was reportedly performed but investigation questioned completion
Symptoms owners cite: White smoke billowing from under hood; Large flames shooting from engine area; Fire at fuse junction box; Engine will not shut off (requires fire department to cut battery terminals); Engine catching fire under right passenger side of hood
Repairs/costs cited: Battery terminals were hand-tight (not properly tightened after recall work); fuse box cover was not replaced after recall; estimated dealer damage repair $2500-3000; vehicles declared total loss
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 22S36 for Underhood fires issued January 2025; owners report recall work was performed but dealership did not complete proper securing of terminals or fuse box cover; Ford has not proactively contacted owners regarding fires
Battery drain and low-voltage shutdown
Vehicle battery drains rapidly, triggering low-voltage protection that disables vehicle functions and prevents starting, despite recent battery replacement.
When: Multiple incidents over ownership; one battery drains approximately 14 days or below 9V; occurs in 70-degree weather (ruling out temperature extremes)
Symptoms owners cite: FordPass app notification that vehicle has turned off functions to reserve power; Battery voltage drops below 9V; Vehicle will not start when notification appears; Owner stranded on multiple occasions
Repairs/costs cited: New battery installed at dealership cost over $700 plus service charges; Sync system updated ($100 first attempt); problem persists with new battery and Sync update; Long Lewis Ford dealership unable to locate source of drain
Backup camera display failure
360-degree backup camera displays black screen when activated in reverse or forward parking mode, blocking visibility and creating safety hazard during backing and parking.
When: Issue confirmed at dealership; affects vehicle while in reverse and parking mode
Symptoms owners cite: Black screen display when camera activated; No clear vision of surroundings while reversing; Backup camera stays lit after putting car in Drive, then goes black after 30 seconds; Cannot push buttons on screen related to radio or climate controls
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership estimated $1500 to repair; owner reports same issue recalled on other Ford makes and models and on 2020 model year of same vehicle but not covered for this VIN; Ford advises it is not a 'Major Issue'
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford case opened but not escalated; recall issued for same issue on other Ford vehicles but not applied to this model; Ford has not offered recall for this vehicle
Hands-free rear hatch unintended activation
Hands-free power hatch opens or closes automatically when not intended, activated by object movement under vehicle even without key FOB input, causing injury to occupants.
When: While owner loading cargo
Symptoms owners cite: Automatic hatch opening/closing without driver activation; Hatch activates when objects move under vehicle near hitch receiver; Door closes on occupant during loading, causing head strike
Repairs/costs cited: Owner sustained minor concussion from strike to head by closing hatch door
Power running board failure
Automatic power running board raises and lowers independently without driver input.
When: At approximately 23,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Running board moving up and down on its own
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership confirmed power running board requires replacement; vehicle no longer under warranty; repair not performed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware but provided no assistance or warranty coverage
Auto start/stop function malfunction
Engine shuts off completely and unintentionally when vehicle is stopped in traffic or at lights, requiring driver to shift to Park and manually restart engine.
When: When stopped in traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Engine completely shuts off during traffic stops; Requires manual restart by driver; Automatic shutdown not controlled by driver
Repairs/costs cited: Ford dealership advises there is no fix for this function; vehicle still under warranty but no resolution provided
Rodent damage to soy-based electrical wires
Soy-based electrical wiring damaged by rodents, causing check engine warning light and potential electrical system failure.
When: At approximately 3,100 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine warning light illuminated
Codes mentioned: Check engine
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced damaged wiring
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer covered cost of repair
Electrical shutdown during driving with dashboard lights illumination
Engine and electrical system shut down completely while driving, with all dashboard warning lights illuminating simultaneously.
When: After underhood fire recall work performed
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shuts down while driving; All dashboard lights illuminate; Vehicle left stranded
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle has been in shop for repairs but issue not resolved
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 22S36 performed; issue persists post-recall
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
The “handless” rear hatch opening activates when not intended. This has caused a concussion to a driver while loading a vehicle. While this is not a “driving” system, it causes injuries to occupants immediately prior to driving. It is entirely possible that a driver could suffer a head injury without knowledge, then begin driving. This causes a dangerous driving environment. In particular the…
In the fordpass app, we get a notification that the vehicle has turned off certain function due to inactivity in order to reserve power. However, we will have just driven the vehicle. This message should only populate when the vehicle is inactive for 14 days. It can also populate when the battery drops below 9V or due to extremely hot or cold conditions. It is 70 degrees F outside, so this…
My car continues to have electrical problems since 14 months after my purchase. I have reported it to Ford service multiple times as well as Corporate. Each time the same problem happens, I report it here as well. This is the 5th time that this has happened. Each time it has happened, I am at a red light and while waiting, my car just shuts off completely. In the beginning I could press my start…
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the soy-based electrical wires had been damaged by rodents. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would cover the cost of the repair. The…
Issues started after the under the hood fire recall. When driving the vehicle the car will shut down and throw all lights on the dash. This vehicle has been in the shop for repairs, but not fixed. This is a safety issue due to the fact the the vehicle will shut down while driving leaving you stranded when it happens.
Had electrical trouble with your 2021 Ford Expedition?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2021 Ford Expedition?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 19 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 13,050 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Ford/Expedition.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.