2019 FORD EXPEDITION Complaints

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH with the driver's seat belt fastened, she observed a loud explosion inside the vehicle, and then she felt what she thought was an impact to her chest, and the wind was knocked out of her as she began gasping for air. The contact stated that she believed she had been shot. The contact added that she steered the vehicle to the side of the road and where she observed that the driver's seat belt did not extend or retract, and the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after 20 minutes, she observed a swollen imprint of the seat belt, which eventually scabbed over. 911 was called, but Medical attention was not needed. The contact stated that she continues to drive the vehicle, but had to buckle the seat belt behind her while driving so that the notification chimes do not go off continuously while driving. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

I purchased a 2019 Ford Expedition Max from Rivertown Ford – Group 1 Automotive (Columbus, GA) in 2022. During the test drive, I heard a rattling noise at startup and was told by my salesperson, Derrick, that it was just a “cold start.” I was shown a CarFax report claiming no recalls or major repairs. I later discovered this was false. An internal Ford OASIS report revealed that transmission work had been performed before sale, which Rivertown Ford never disclosed or reported to CarFax. Since purchase, my Expedition has had harsh shifting, delayed gear engagement, jerking, and sudden loss of acceleration, often without diagnostic codes—making it difficult to obtain warranty repairs under my Ford ESP plan. Rivertown Ford told me the transmission backlog meant I’d have to pay for my own rental vehicle and wait indefinitely for a technician. In March 2024, the vehicle shifted into neutral instead of drive while backing out of a driveway, rolling down uncontrollably and hitting two trees. Neither USAA (my insurer) nor Ford acknowledged that this incident matched the 10R80 transmission defect and TSB 23-2249 (Nov 2023), which addresses uncommanded neutral engagement and loss of power. I was never notified of this defect. My insurance labeled it an “at-fault” accident, raising my premiums drastically. My Expedition is now being serviced for TSB 23-2249 after new video evidence and stored code P07E06-00 confirmed the defect. Ford’s OASIS system—which hides warranty and powertrain repairs from the public—enabled this concealment. This issue has caused financial loss, emotional distress, and fear of driving, especially as this is our only family vehicle for transporting our children. I have video, audio, photos, and documentation proving these events and request NHTSA’s investigation into Ford’s 10R80 transmission defects and disclosure practices.

I was driving and the seatbelt exploded. Started smelling like it was burning super loud explosion It’s a good thing I didn't crash and hit somebody . I’ve never had anything like that in my life happen before.

After Ford Recall 24E13 (Powertrain Control Module reprogramming) was completed on my 2019 Ford Expedition Max, the vehicle immediately developed transmission problems. It began hesitating to go into reverse and then produced DTC P0736 (reverse gear ratio incorrect). Within days, it failed to shift properly and was returned by the dealership. The issue occurred only after the recall repair, indicating a possible calibration or programming fault that affected the powertrain. Ford dealership staff acknowledged metal in the fluid but gave inconsistent explanations and then claimed the transmission had to be replaced. The vehicle also displayed a “Powertrain System Fault” warning. No such problems existed before the recall. This raises a safety concern because transmission malfunction after a recall could cause loss of control or failure to move the vehicle. The vehicle was returned to us on October 7, 2025; it remains unsafe to drive. Ford Corporate has been notified (Case CXH-05773791-T4G0R8), but no resolution has been provided. I am requesting NHTSA review this as a potential post-recall powertrain safety failure related to Recall 24E13.

The Cam Phaser failed in 2023 and 2025. It kept the vehicle from starting. The transmission has failed twice in the past two years.

Ford 10 speed automatic transmission. Driving at highway speeds the vehicle suddenly went into limp mode. This dropped the vehicle speed from 70 mph to 20 mph without warning. A flashing wrench indicator light on the dash illuminated. A grinding noise coming from underneath the vehicle occurred. Our vehicle has an extended warranty. The vehicle was dropped off at the dealership it was purchased from. Dealership stated the separator plate inside the transmission was defective and needed replaced. The work was completed and the vehicle has been returned to us. This could have caused a significant accident on the freeway. Luckily with experienced drivers this was avoided.

In June 2024, my 2019 Ford Expedition experienced serious transmission and powertrain problems. Diagnostic testing identified catalyst efficiency codes (P0430), and I was given a repair estimate that included catalytic converter replacement. The vehicle also displayed repeated “Service Engine Soon” and “Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power” warnings. Because the vehicle became undrivable and the repair costs were unaffordable, I was forced to release it to auction in June 2024, resulting in a significant financial loss. In April 2025, Ford issued Recall 24E13 acknowledging that PCM programming errors could falsely trigger catalyst efficiency codes (such as P0430), potentially leading to unnecessary catalytic converter replacements, exactly the condition my vehicle experienced. This recall defect directly contributed to the loss I suffered, as I still owed about $11,000 on the vehicle when I could no longer use it. I have already opened a case with Ford (Case #CXH05645573C2W6R6), but I have not received meaningful assistance. When I contacted Ford Customer Service, I was not offered escalation or resolution. I was only told to call another phone number, which left my case unresolved. I respectfully request that NHTSA review Ford’s handling of this defect, including the financial impact on owners like myself who incurred substantial losses before the recall was announced.

The rear-view camera does not work 80+% of the time. It usually fails to connect at all and I do not have visibility or access to the rearview camera when backing up (in reverse). This has been ongoing for well over a year now and has been progressively getting worse. Before it would just happen once every 20-30 times or so but now it happens every day I use the vehicle about 80-90% of the time. This has resulted in at least 3 narrow-miss accidents so far as I can't see what directly behind me. On more limited occasions, if the rear camera does show up and connect, it will display the rear image upside down, sometimes it will freeze on the screen and won't go away even when not engaged in Reverse thus not allowing access to the screen. It continues to happen every day I use the car and most days the rear camera will not ever connect.

July 17th on highway going near highway speed of 65-70mph in congested heavier traffic, person merging from on ramp caused abrupt slow to stop and rear ended a F250 truck causing MAJOR front end damage, couldn’t get front doors open, frame bent, vehicle totalled with $22k or more in damages. Seatbelt locked and air bags NEVER deployed. Ford dealership and insurance company very very suprised that given impact, speed, etc airbags never went off. Also emergency braking system did give collision detection warning and then seemed to entirely take over braking as I attempted to brake very hard nothing seemed to be happening for brakes. Seemed crash could have been entirely avoided. Vehicle totalled and gone to salvage yard. Thank goodness no injury very badly bruised

I purchased my 2019 Ford Expedition Max Limited on [XXX]. When we purchase the vehicle we signed a notice that we would have the recalls completed within a reasonable time. I took my vehicle for the recall to Feyer Ford in Edenton, North Carolina on May 30th. Prior to the recall I was having no issues at all with the vehicle. Once I pick the vehicle up on [XXX] and started my traveling home. Within 10 minutes of leaving, the vehicle made a loud screeching noise. The wrench light came on, and the vehicle seemed to not accelerate forward. I was able to pull off the road and turn the vehicle off. I called Feyer Ford to make them aware of the problem and they told me that it was because the PCM had been reprogrammed and would need to relearn how I drive. I had the same issue happen again further down the road, this is a very serious safety hazard that my vehicle suddenly stopped moving forward in traffic. I called Feyer Ford once again and was told that I had to drive the vehicle 1,000 miles before the PCM would relearn my driving patterns. I took the vehicle in on June 4th to have it checked out and was told that I would need a valve body replacement and torque converter replacement. That essentially my transmission was bad. Since that date the vehicle has gone into reverse numerous times when I put it in Drive, it will also get stuck in 4th 7th or 10th gear when you are trying to drive it in a parking lot or going slow on the road. When it gets stuck in those gears the vehicle will not go forward it will only allow you to go backwards. My car has been at Feyer Ford since July 29 trying to have the warranty cover the fix, but it was denied for warranty coverage because they stated the vehicle was broken by the recall. We were told we could pick up our un-fixed vehicle on Aug 27. We got the key and proceeded to leave only to find the car not put back together from a different seat belt recall. It is still at Feyer Ford today, September 6th 2025. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),