IllustrationHard, delayed, jump from idle when accelerator is pressed. Hard shift from park to reverse.
2011 Ford Expedition
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2011 Ford Expedition do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 155.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Expedition years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
190–25K
825–50K
950–75K
575–100K
8100–150K
9150K+
58 reports with mileage · 13 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports
Power Train complaints
21 reportsSo my 2011 expedition has a lead frame problem it is stuck in 4th gear and all the warning lights are on associating the lead frame. The shop I left told me it Is the lead frame. The problem is the ford f150 with the exact same transmission as mine has a recall for that exact part. But no recall on the expiration with the exact …
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So my 2011 expedition has a lead frame problem it is stuck in 4th gear and all the warning lights are on associating the lead frame. The shop I left told me it Is the lead frame. The problem is the ford f150 with the exact same transmission as mine has a recall for that exact part. But no recall on the expiration with the exact same transmission as mine. This is a safety problem as it is stuck in fourth gear and completely unsafe to drive. This is a ford factory problem and needs to be addressed before it gets someone gravely injured of killed I talked with ford and they sY since there is no recall there is nothing they can do I've beennout a vehicle for 2 weeks already and now they say they have no clue when they can find the part. So I'm just out a vehicle that I payed thousands of dollars for. This is Unacceptable as I need the vehicle to get to work I don't know if this will help but I have to try something. There should be a recall on the expeditions as well
ON DECEMBER 12, 2017, WHILE TRAVELING AT 75 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. WITHIN SECONDS FOLLOWING THE SURGE, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DOWNSHIFTED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND NEARLY A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR. TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON 2 TIME…
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ON DECEMBER 12, 2017, WHILE TRAVELING AT 75 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. WITHIN SECONDS FOLLOWING THE SURGE, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DOWNSHIFTED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND NEARLY A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR. TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON 2 TIMES ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO MOVE AGAIN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CONTROL MODULE IN THE TRANSMISSION AS A RESULT. MY COST WAS $100 SINCE WE STILL HAVE AN ACTIVE WARRANTY.
WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 78MPH, THE REAR TIRES ON OUR 2011 EXPEDITION SUDDENLY LOCKED UP, SKIDDING THE TIRES AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FISHTAIL SHE HAD NO CONTROL OF STEERING OR ACCELERATION. WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED APPROXIMATELY 35MPH THE TIRES RELEASED AND SHE WAS ABLE TO STEE…
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WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 78MPH, THE REAR TIRES ON OUR 2011 EXPEDITION SUDDENLY LOCKED UP, SKIDDING THE TIRES AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FISHTAIL SHE HAD NO CONTROL OF STEERING OR ACCELERATION. WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED APPROXIMATELY 35MPH THE TIRES RELEASED AND SHE WAS ABLE TO STEER INTO THE MEDIAN. AT THIS POINT, SHE COULD NOT MOVE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A PICTURE OF A WRENCH ON THE DASHBOARD. WHEN SHE WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED, SHE PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND SAT FOR A FEW MINUTES. SHE THEN ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE, BUT SHE HAD NO POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING, BUT SHE WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. SHE HAD TO CALL FOR A TOW TRUCK. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME, I GOT IN IT AND STARTED IT, THEN NOTICED THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON. I TURNED THAT LIGHT OFF ON THE DASHBOARD, AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM. I DROVE IT TO A FORD DEALER, AND ALL THE MECHANIC COULD FIND WAS THAT THE REAR STRUTS WERE WORN OUT. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT OUR VEHICLE DID NOT THROW ANY HARD CODE, ONLY A SOFT CODE. HE SAID WE ARE BASICALLY DRIVING COMPUTERS NOW WITH ALL THE TECHNOLOGY. FORD MOTOR COMPANY INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON OUR VEHICLE, ONLY THE 2012 MODEL THAT HAS THE SAME ISSUE. AFTER TALKING WITH TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY, I WAS TOLD SORRY, IT IS NOT UNDER RECALL AND THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO. UPON INVESTIGATING FURTHER, WE FOUND OUT MY WIFE'S EXPEDITION WAS MANUFACTURED AT THE SAME PLANT IN KENTUCKY, MADE IN THE SAME YEAR AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES BUT 4 MONTHS EARLIER, AND HAS THE SAME TRANSMISSION (6R80) AS THE RECALLED 2012 EXPEDITIONS THAT STARTED PRODUCTION IN AUGUST OF 2011. HOPE NHTSB CAN INVESTIGATE BECAUSE WE CAN'T GET ANYWHERE WITH FORD.
I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 70 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFT TWICE (FROM 6TH GEAR TO I THINK 3RD THEN 1ST GEAR) AND THE RPMS RED LINED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK AND SLOW DOWN RAPIDLY. I LOST ALL ACCELERATION POWER AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. I COULD NOT GET ANY…
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I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 70 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFT TWICE (FROM 6TH GEAR TO I THINK 3RD THEN 1ST GEAR) AND THE RPMS RED LINED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK AND SLOW DOWN RAPIDLY. I LOST ALL ACCELERATION POWER AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. I COULD NOT GET ANY ACCELERATION IN ANY GEAR ONCE I WAS PULLED OVER. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WORK LIKE NOTHING EVER HAPPENED.
I WAS DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY ON A STRAIGHT AWAY WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED TO 2ND GEAR, THEN IMMEDIATELY TO 1ST GEAR AND THEN THE WHEELS LOCKED UP
I EXPERIENCE HEADACHES AND DIZZINESS WHEN DRIVING THERE HAS BEEN TIMES I HAVE TO PULL OVER TO AVOID CRASHING. I BELIEVE CARBON MONOXIDE MAY BE THE RESULT OF THESE SYMPTOMS.
UPON HARD ACCELERATION OVER 3000 RPM A BURNT EXHAUST ODOR ENTERS THE CABIN. AT ALL TIMES
WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO FIRST THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A LOUD STUTTERING NOISE EVERY TIME. THIS IS NOT A NORMAL NOISE A TRANSMISSION SHOULD MAKE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT FORD NEEDS TO FIX IN NEW AND OLDER MODELS. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE PEOPLE ARE REPORTING ON THE INTERNET WITH FORDS AROUND THIS Y…
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WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO FIRST THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A LOUD STUTTERING NOISE EVERY TIME. THIS IS NOT A NORMAL NOISE A TRANSMISSION SHOULD MAKE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT FORD NEEDS TO FIX IN NEW AND OLDER MODELS. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE PEOPLE ARE REPORTING ON THE INTERNET WITH FORDS AROUND THIS YEAR. MANY HAVE HAD THIS BEGIN TO OCCUR AROUND ONLY 25K MILES.
I CAN SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND TAKE OUT THE KEYS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL IN D., NOT P.
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1RQ17010 · Unexpected Transmission Downshift
Opened Dec 25, 2017 · Closed Oct 22, 2019
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of transmissions unexpectedly downshifting to a lower gear without input from the driver on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford F-150, Expedition and Navigator vehicles. ODI has received 455 unique reports related to the alleged problem that were not covered under a previous recall for this issue (16V-248).Expedition and Navigator complaint rates are lower than F-150 complaints. Of those 455 reports, 34.7% claimed that the rear wheels locked up when the transmission downshifted. There were 4 accident claims with no injuries. There are many instances where drivers report leaving their lane or the road because of this issue.In response to ODI's Information Request (IR) letter, Ford Motor Company (Ford) responded with 783 unique reports related to the alleged problem. There were 6 accident claims with 3 injuries. Ford also submitted 1206 warranty claims related to transmission downshifting failures. The failure can occur at any time, but typically at higher speed, and include symptoms such as sudden transmission downshifting, loss of speedometer, erratic shifting of transmission, and transmission stuck in one gear. The failures typically occur without warning and may result in the rear wheels momentarily locking up. The driver often had to fully stop the vehicle and restart it to get the vehicle to shift properly.On February 2nd, 2019 Ford notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall (19V-075) to remedy transmission downshifting failures on all 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles. Ford will also offer extended warranties to 2011-2013 Expedition and Navigator vehicles with the same issue. Per Ford, some vehicles may experience an intermittent loss of Transmission Output Speed Sensor (OSS) signal to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), potentially resulting in a temporary unintended downshift into first gear. Ford will reprogram the PCM with software that will prevent an unintended downshift into first gear and illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Light in the event of an intermittent OSS signal loss.The recall action initiated by the manufacturer appears to address the safety risks of concern to ODI.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the identification (ODI) numbers found in the attached list.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of transmissions unexpectedly downshifting to a lower gear without input from the driver on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford F-150, Expedition and Navigator vehicles. ODI has received 455 unique reports related to the alleged problem that were not covered under a previous recall for this issue (16V-248).Expedition and Navigator complaint rates are lower than F-150 complaints. Of those 455 reports, 34.7% claimed that the rear wheels locked up when the transmission downshifted. There were 4 accident claims with no injuries. There are many instances where drivers report leaving their lane or the road because of this issue.In response to ODI's Information Request (IR) letter, Ford Motor Company (Ford) responded with 783 unique reports related to the alleged problem. There were 6 accident claims with 3 injuries. Ford also submitted 1206 warranty claims related to transmission downshifting failures. The failure can occur at any time, but typically at higher speed, and include symptoms such as sudden transmission downshifting, loss of speedometer, erratic shifting of transmission, and transmission stuck in one gear. The failures typically occur without warning and may result in the rear wheels momentarily locking up. The driver often had to fully stop the vehicle and restart it to get the vehicle to shift properly.On February 2nd, 2019 Ford notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall (19V-075) to remedy transmission downshifting failures on all 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles. Ford will also offer extended warranties to 2011-2013 Expedition and Navigator vehicles with the same issue. Per Ford, some vehicles may experience an intermittent loss of Transmission Output Speed Sensor (OSS) signal to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), potentially resulting in a temporary unintended downshift into first gear. Ford will reprogram the PCM with software that will prevent an unintended downshift into first gear and illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Light in the event of an intermittent OSS signal loss.The recall action initiated by the manufacturer appears to address the safety risks of concern to ODI.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the identification (ODI) numbers found in the attached list.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of transmissions unexpectedly downshifting to a lower gear without input from the driver on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford F-150, Expedition and Navigator vehicles. ODI has received 455 unique reports related to the alleged problem that were not covered under a previous recall for this issue (16V-248).Expedition and Navigator complaint rates are lower than F-150 complaints. Of those 455 reports, 34.7% claimed that the rear wheels locked up when the transmission downshifted. There were 4 accident claims with no injuries. There are many instances where drivers report leaving their lane or the road because of this issue.In response to ODI's Information Request (IR) letter, Ford Motor Company (Ford) responded with 783 unique reports related to the alleged problem. There were 6 accident claims with 3 injuries. Ford also submitted 1206 warranty claims related to transmission downshifting failures. The failure can occur at any time, but typically at higher speed, and include symptoms such as sudden transmission downshifting, loss of speedometer, erratic shifting of transmission, and transmission stuck in one gear. The failures typically occur without warning and may result in the rear wheels momentarily locking up. The driver often had to fully stop the vehicle and restart it to get the vehicle to shift properly.On February 2nd, 2019 Ford notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall (19V-075) to remedy transmission downshifting failures on all 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles. Ford will also offer extended warranties to 2011-2013 Expedition and Navigator vehicles with the same issue. Per Ford, some vehicles may experience an intermittent loss of Transmission Output Speed Sensor (OSS) signal to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), potentially resulting in a temporary unintended downshift into first gear. Ford will reprogram the PCM with software that will prevent an unintended downshift into first gear and illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Light in the event of an intermittent OSS signal loss.The recall action initiated by the manufacturer appears to address the safety risks of concern to ODI.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the identification (ODI) numbers found in the attached list.