2016 Ford Expedition transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 26, 2026CTTransmission & Drivetrain

   My 2016 Expedition has the same 6R80 transmission as the Ford F150, for which there is a recall for the Lead Frame. My wife was driving the vehicle on the highway and the check engine light came on and the vehicle went into "limp mode" causing the vehicle to decelerate to approximately 35 mph. Needless to say, she almost caused several accidents as she tried to move to the shoulder at a very reduced speed. The code was P0715 and P0717 which is the Turbine Shaft Speed Sensor…

   NHTSA complaint #11759701 · source
2. Filed Apr 6, 2026UTTransmission & Drivetrain

   My expedition started stuttering and the speedometer, started fluctuating speeds which would also cause my cruise control to turn off. Then the speedometer quit working altogether and so did the odometer. If I turned the truck off and restarted it, it would reset everything for a few miles then it would start all over again. I went to the Ford dealership and got it fixed. It cost $2500. Later doing research, I discovered this is a problem with this transmission and can be…

   NHTSA complaint #11729539 · source
3. Filed Feb 5, 2026TXEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The failed components are called "cam phasers." It is a known problem with the Ford 3.5 Ecoboost Engine (that even Ford is aware of). The cam phasers can fail, causing the timing chain to fail at any moment. They rattle upon startup of a cold engine. The failure of the original engineering is causing owners of this vehicle, along with the F150 and others, to have to spend anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 in order to replace these. The problem has been confirmed by the Ford…

   NHTSA complaint #11715780 · source
4. Filed Jul 21, 2025VAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The vehicle stops accelerating randomly it’s been in the shop (Ford dealer) a few times and they are unable to pinpoint the issue. The warning lamps would come on after the vehicle fails to accelerate. It would lose power at any interval and coast until it’s fully stopped.

   NHTSA complaint #11674952 · source
5. Filed Apr 4, 202585,913 miOHTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 2 MPH, the accelerator was depressed, and there was a grinding sound coming from the rear-end of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with rear differential failure. On a separate occasion, a year later the rear differential failure recured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the rear end was repaired. The manufacturer…

   NHTSA complaint #11652797 · source
6. Filed Aug 20, 2024TXTransmission & Drivetrain

   While driving on [XXX] at approximately 35 mph the vehicle displayed a wrench warning lamp and at same time vehicle went into limp mode. No power I had to coast to the side of road, engine running but no power. Turned engine off restarted vehicle and drove short distance home. Holiday Ford in Gordon, Texas was contacted they advised bring vehicle in for diagnostic test. Vehicle was driven to Holiday Ford dealership in Gordon, Texas for an appointment 4 days after the…

   NHTSA complaint #11609765 · source
7. Filed Feb 6, 2024100,000 miCTTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power and stalled while driving uphill. The contact stated while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the vehicle failed to respond. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle responded upon depressing the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle stalled while driving. The contact was unable to veer to the side of the…

   NHTSA complaint #11570345 · source
8. Filed Jan 12, 2024126,000 miMNTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the transmission inadvertently downshifted into a lower gear, causing the rear wheels to lock up. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the leadframe, valve body, and output shaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11565046 · source
9. Filed Nov 29, 2023109,000 miINTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway and the vehicle was restarted. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be…

   NHTSA complaint #11557404 · source
10. Filed Jun 7, 202338,484 miVATowedTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine and transmission warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the lead frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was…

    NHTSA complaint #11525796 · source
11. Filed Jan 24, 2023100,000 miNCCrashTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that after parking and turning off the vehicle, she entered the trunk, and the vehicle rolled down her driveway into traffic and crashed into a fence while her 7-month-old daughter was still inside the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that it sounded like the shifter was stuck between the gears of park and reverse. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not yet taken to a local…

    NHTSA complaint #11503379 · source
12. Filed Jan 18, 2023100,200 miNCCrash1 injuredTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. While parked in her friend's driveway with her child in her car seat, the contact heard an abnormal, popping sound as she was outside of the vehicle. The vehicle began to roll back without warning with her child inside the vehicle; she attempted to hit the emergency brake but was unsuccessful. The vehicle continued to roll backward into a neighbor's fence before the vehicle came to a halt. The contact's daughter was safe inside the…

    NHTSA complaint #11502338 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology