2018 Ford Expedition Driver assistance Problems

I noticed a loud rattle when starting my 2018 Ford Expedition, at first occasionally and then on every cold start. The Ford Dealer's service department diagnosed a cam phaser issue. There were no warning lights or messages available to me, but the service department's diagnosis showed several timing faults. I was told the cam phaser repair is $4000 - $5000 and continued use puts the engine and transmission at risk. I contacted Ford customer service and was told that my vehicle was not eligible for assistance with these repairs and that my level of loyalty also did not make me eligible for assistance. I have maintained this vehicle with oil changes, fluid changes, tire and brake maintenance for the life of the vehicle. I would like the NHTSA to investigate Ford for a recall of the cam phasers and effected parts since this is a known and prominent issue that also impacts road safey.

NHTSA ID

11750763

Incident

Jun 15, 2026

"Verified internal hydraulic cross leak due to CDF drum bushing movement. Transmission has delayed engagement in 4th, 5th, and 6th gears. This is a known manufacturing defect in the 10R80 transmission."

NHTSA ID

11726870

Incident

Mar 20, 2026

Component/System That Failed: The 10R80 automatic transmission is malfunctioning. It causes harsh shifting, delayed acceleration, hesitation, and unpredictable surging. These issues have been confirmed as part of Ford’s internal TSB 23-2250, which directly references this transmission defect. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: This transmission failure poses a serious safety risk. The hesitation and delay in acceleration occur during merging, turning, and highway driving, which can cause near misses and sudden loss of power. The delayed response time compromises my ability to move safely through traffic. Reproduced/Confirmed: Yes. The issue was confirmed by Liberty Ford in Fayetteville, NC, after I paid for a diagnostic. The service department acknowledged the symptoms but refused to cover the diagnosis or repair under warranty since no recall was showing under my VIN. Inspected by Others: The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer directly or by law enforcement or insurance. However, it was diagnosed and documented by an authorized Ford dealership (Liberty Ford in Fayetteville NC). Warning Lamps or Symptoms: There were no warning lamps or error codes. The symptoms began subtly but became consistent over time. The first noticeable event was approximately in “early 2025”, with increased severity since then. I submitted a written complaint to Ford on June 9, 2025, via USPS Priority Mail (Tracking #[XXX]) and also filed a certified safety complaint with NHTSA (Tracking #[XXX]) but have received no response. I am requesting formal investigation and recall action. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11671840

Incident

Apr 12, 2025

Since purchasing the vehicle we have had extensive issues with the driveability of the car. Leading up to the eventual full transmission replacement, we surfaced the issues below repeatedly for over a year and a half. Yet, we were always told "everything is fine" "we couldn't duplicate what you are describing" or "the vehicle has to learn how you drive". Biggest Issues: - Poor shifting of gears with sudden jerking and/or random accelerations - Vehicle not accelerating - acts stuck - Loss of 'power' vehicle does nothing - Eventually complete transmission failure in the middle of an intersection The transmission was completely replaced in Fall of 2023. Mind you this was only after I elevated my concerns to Ford Corporate who sent a specialist to investigate. Only then did Koons Ford acknowledge that yes there is a "big problem". Yet, since the repair the jerking and power issues have continued. When we followed up immediately after the repair we were told again "vehicle has to learn how you drive". So I waited 3000 miles and reached out again and was told I needed to go to the dealership and drive it with a technician in the car (yet again, not taking my word seriously). Then this summer the issues intensified and eventually the power boosters failed and needed to be replaced. This vehicle is NOT safe and Ford has misled me along the way. It has been a constant fight to get them to help us. Bottom line, this is our primary family vehicle as we have five children, four of whom I drive around daily. It is not safe or reliable. The vehicle has almost led to three major accidents, where I was stuck with cars honking at me. It's pretty pathetic when friends and coworkers frequently say "you don't have your car again?!? What's wrong with it now?" Please I kindly ask that you hold Ford fully accountable. I am now aware that when I inquired about a buy back in 2022, I should have not been told "no you are not eligible".

NHTSA ID

11619756

Incident

Aug 21, 2023

My 2018 expedition has been repaired by Ford dealership three times. The vehicle started with a hesitancy to shift into reverse then eventually a hard jerk into gear. following that, it began to hesitate to accelerate and rattle and shake hard enough to shake the steering wheel. The powertrain loss warning came on ford pass. Ford dealership said it was transmission and rebuilt it. Three weeks following the repair the very same shaking, rattling and crunching sound started again with power loss. It was intermittent and dealership said with no codes they couldn’t recreate the issue and so no help. The following day on the highway, it started again. I was attempting to stop at a red light and with my foot on the brake, the vehicle attempted to lurch forward and try to go despite the brake. Thankfully, the light turned green and the car in front of me moved. As I continued to drive, I was left stranded with the codes showing actuator failure and cam shaft failure. The dealership then said it was the cam shaft and all actuators that needed to be replaced this time. The SAME rattling and shaking and power loss they said was caused by the transmission they rebuilt 3 weeks earlier but now it is caused by the cam shaft. So 2 repairs later and 4 weeks, it did it again and this time it caught on fire and burned a hole in my hood. The dealership called me the day after I had it towed into the dealership smoking staying it was the heater hoses that caused the shaking, rattling and power loss. Said they could have it fixed the next day. It is a disaster. It is a major safety issue and I am still paying payments on this car that ford cannot fix. This car needs to be recalled and they need to refund for cost of vehicle. This car is going to kill someone!

NHTSA ID

11598429

Incident

Apr 1, 2024

“Shift system fault” flashes on dash and car suddenly and violently shakes and loses power at higher speeds when trying to accelerate. Also heard a metallic grinding/metallic rattle noise under the car and could not accelerate. Has happened multiple times over the last year and a half.

NHTSA ID

11582968

Incident

Apr 12, 2024

I am experiencing delays in transmission shifting when the vehicle is cold. This behavior has recently started at about 85k miles. I have taken to dealer and had the transmission oil changed and Ford recommended cleaning the solenoids (at my cost). The dealer also resets the controller to relearn as well. I experienced the issues while driving away after the work, but I have been asked to drive around for a week and see is the problem 'goes away'. We'll see.

NHTSA ID

11566812

Incident

Jan 17, 2024

My vehicle has been making a very loud rattling sound upon starting. I reached out to the Ford service department about this and they said the cam phaser is failing but the customer satisfaction program has expired and they will no longer cover it. I never received a letter from Ford regarding this customer satisfaction program (I hadn't moved since buying the car, so it wasn't an address problem); they blamed the DMV and said they are the ones that mail out the letters and don't know why I didn't receive it. They quoted me $3,300 to fix it. I obviously can't afford that so I took my vehicle back and continued to drive it. Today the check engine light came on and I noticed my vehicle is sluggish to accelerate. Upon researching cam phasers failing I found this: "You could also lose power suddenly while you are driving. This problem puts you at risk of an accident and exposes others on the road to a dangerous situation. ". I believe the cam phaser problems in the 2018-2020 Expeditions should be a recall. It is a safety issue.

NHTSA ID

11546383

Incident

Sep 25, 2023

No Brakes, Engine Racing, & ignition would not turn off, yes available for inspection at Seth Whatley Ford. Car crashed which was the only way it came to a stop, wheels were still turning when I got out of the car, if anyone one had been around they would have been hurt or killed. Towed to dealer, dealer was unable to find any evidence on their side. Insurance adjuster came out and assess the damage from crash. There was no warning lights or sensors that were working during this episode. Monday, March 27, 2023 at approximately 10am, I got into my Expedition to start my vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed as I pushed the button to start the car, and the engine was running smoothly. Foot was on the brake pedal when I put the car into reverse, the car shot out from the carport and engine was racing. I tried to pump the breaks and push the engine button, while guiding the car as it kept going faster and faster, until I hit a trailer that was attached to a truck. There was two witness that saw everything, that went on. I feel this car is DANGEROUS. If this had occurred when my family was around serious injuries could have occurred, or if I had been in a parking lot, there was no way to stop and I was not in control. Safety is the first issue. Special Note - I took my car in February 2022 for the recall.

NHTSA ID

11522130

Incident

Mar 27, 2023

As the vehicle accelerates it experiences a loss of power randomly at both low speeds and high speeds (like it randomly shifted into neutral) then after letting off the accelerator the vehicles clunks into gear. I experienced this at roughly 60k miles in both 2WD and less frequently in 4WD. It’s absolutely a safety hazard while driving on the roads.

NHTSA ID

11508054

Incident

Feb 17, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and attempting to change lanes, he depressed the accelerator to overtake the other vehicles and the accelerator became stuck. The contact stated that the cruise control had been activated while attempting to make the lane change. The contact stated that he removed his foot from the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle remained accelerating to almost 100 MPH. The contact tapped the accelerator pedal to release the stuck pedal however, the accelerator pedal failed to respond. The contact placed his foot underneath the pedal and physically released the pedal. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal responded and the vehicle slowed. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he checked the vehicle service app on his phone and stated that the app showed two catalytic converter warnings had been displayed. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where it was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,647.

NHTSA ID

11484002

Incident

Sep 10, 2022

Mileage

65,647 mi

Driving thru Atlanta traffic stop and go . One time I took off and all of a sudden vehicle jerk and didn’t go . NExt time it lunged forward . I notice the vehicle shutters between 20-30mph Tried to get a appointment with ford nothing available till august . Went to Panama City shopping the other day with my son he could not believe how bad the vehicle lunges sometimes and sometimes it stalls before take off . Makes me very nervous to drive am I gonna get stranded in heavy traffic ? Call ford they said needs PCM reprogrammed she tried to make appt to no avail . She knew what I was talking bout when I called her .said you need to get it in right of way .Well dealerships say they are months out what do I do now . Ford is a disgrace 80,000 for vehicle and I have had numerous issues

NHTSA ID

11471576

Incident

Jun 13, 2022

FORD EXPEDITION WAS TRAVELLING AT 50-60KM/HR WHILE PASSING AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY. THE EXPEDITION WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY A UTILITY VAN TRAVELLING AROUND 110KM/HR. BOTH FRONT SEATS SLID FORWARD AND ALSO RECLINED ON IMPACT. THIS CAUSED BOTH FRONT PASSENGERS TO SUSTAIN BRUISING ON THEIR CALF'S DUE TO THE SEATS SLIDING FORWARD AND WHIPLASH FROM BOTH FRONT SEATS RECLINING. BOTH FRONT SEATS TRAPPED CHILDREN IN THEIR CAR SEATS IN THE 2ND ROW FORM BEING RECLINED. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN THE ACCIDENT AS WELL!

NHTSA ID

11377263

Incident

Nov 22, 2020

Mileage

30,600 mi

SPEEDOMETER IS READING INCORRECTLY, DOES NOT MATCH GPS REPORTED SPEED OR THE PLAY PLACE OFFICERS SPEED WHEN HE CLOCKED ME GOING 13 MILES AN HOUR OVER THE SPEED MY ADAPTIVE CRUISE WAS SET AT. CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET AT 76 MILES AN HOUR AND MY PHONE WAS NOT ON THE GAS, THE GPS ON MY MAP APPLICATION SHOWED I WAS GOING 87 MILES AN HOUR AND THAT IS THE SPEED THE POLICE OFFICER NOTED AS WELL.

NHTSA ID

11221855

Incident

Jun 21, 2019

Mileage

17,000 mi

FOLLOWING COMPUTER ISSUES THAT CAUSED THE FOLLOWING: BAD STEERING SENSOR (PLAY IN THE STEERING), TRACTION CONTROL WARNING, HILL DECENT WARNING, RUNNING BOARDS NOT WORKING, FORD SYNC FREEZING: RADIO, TEMP, BACK UP CAMERAS, PHONE NOT WORKING. MONITOR TURNS OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING. MONITOR WILL NOT TURN OFF WHEN CAR PARKED.

NHTSA ID

11219485

Incident

Jun 10, 2019

Mileage

500 mi

ELECTRONIC DIAL SHIFTER WILL AUTOMATICALLY SWITCH FROM DRIVE TO PARK IF THE VEHICLE START STOP BUTTON IS DEPRESSED WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING. THE PARKING BRAKE ALSO AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHES ON AT THE SAME TIME. CONSIDER WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF A 2018 FORD EXPEDITION IS TRAVELING ON A FREEWAY IN TRAFFIC AND THE START STOP BUTTON WERE ACCIDENTALLY DEPRESSED. THE CAR WOULD SHIFT INTO PARK, THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD ENGAGE AND THE DRIVER WOULD DECELERATE RAPIDLY FROM 65 MPH TO A STOP WITH NO NOTICE, LIKELY BEING REAR ENDED BY TRAFFIC IE; A SEMI TRUCK AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE ELECTRONIC SHIFTER SHOULD STAY IN THE SELECTED GEAR WHEN THE START STOP BUTTON IS DEPRESSED AS A CONVENTION SHIFTER WOULD, ELECTRIC OR MECHANICAL. I DETERMINED THIS AFTER GOING TO A CAR WASH, PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL THEN DEPRESSING THE STOP BUTTON TO SAVE FUEL. THE CARIMMEDIATELY SHIFTED FROM NEUTRAL TO PARK AND ENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE. I TESTED THE DRIVE, START BUTTON OFF, IMMEDIATELY SWITCHES TO PARK ON A FLAT STREET AT ZERO SPEED. I REALIZED AS AN ENGINEER THAT IF THIS HAPPENED AT SPEED A FATAL ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR. FORD CAN REMOVE THIS RISK WITH A SOFTWARE UPDATE TO THE ELECTRONIC SHIFTING, LEAVING THE CAR IN THE SELECTED GEAR IF THE START STOP BUTTON IS DEPRESSED.

NHTSA ID

11165405

Incident

Jan 5, 2019

RECENTLY I RENTED A FORD EXPEDITION. MUCH OF THE DRIVING WAS IN AN AROUND THE MOUNTAINS SURROUNDING YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. WHILE I FOUND THE VEHICLE EASY TO DRIVE THERE IS ONE GLARING SAFETY ISSUE CONCERNING THE ABILITY TO DOWNSHIFT. ONE MUST TAKE THEIR EYES OFF THE ROAD TO LOCATE THE + OR - BUTTONS ON THE CENTER CONSOLE TO CHANGE GEARS. THESE BUTTONS SHOULD BE LOCATED ON THE STEERING WHEEL. NOT ON THE CENTER CONSOLE.

NHTSA ID

11115787

Incident

Jul 23, 2018