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2011 Ford Expedition problems

The most common problem on the 2011 Ford Expedition is transmission and drivetrain, typically around 50,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Expedition model year.

Fewer complaintsAmong the best years of this model
Year score
90/100
Owner complaints
71
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
40
Worst area
Transmission
Fuel economy
13-16mpg

The worst 2011 Ford Expedition problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Transmission
    21
  • Engine
    13
  • Body
    10
  • Seats
    8
  • Acceleration
    7
  • Electrical
    7
  • Fuel system
    4
  • Visibility
    3
  • Wheels
    3
  • Locks
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Driver assistance
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Steering
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2011 Ford Expedition

Adaptive cruise 5

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Defect investigations

Unexpected Transmission DownshiftOpened December 25, 2017, closed October 22, 2019

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.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the identification (ODI) numbers found in the attached list.

RQ17010

Technical service bulletins for the 2011 Ford Expedition 40

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 40 bulletins for the 2011 Ford Expedition

2011 Ford Expedition fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
5.4L 8‑cylRWD11-1416-2013-16
5.4L 8‑cyl4WD131815

What 2011 Ford Expedition owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 11, 2026 · Electrical · 336,000 miles · IL

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Ford Expedition. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 136,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 336,000. The contact called the seller, who advised that the sale was final and to end communications. An Attorney General and private attorney were contacted.

Filed Mar 5, 2026 · Transmission · AZ

Hard, delayed, jump from idle when accelerator is pressed. Hard shift from park to reverse.

Filed Dec 5, 2025 · Engine · MO

I bought this vehicle early 2023. From the moment I bought it I’ve had a loud ticking sound come from the dash or the motor when I start the car also when it’s really hot out. It also didn’t blow cold air. So I had to save up enough money to replace the AC components in my 2011 expedition. After I got it “repaired” It only lasted about six months and that’s being conservative. $2000 later and it’s blowing hot air and still making you loud ticking sound. I pretty much replaced all the components that deal with the AC and the blower. I don’t know what to do anymore, but it makes a loud ticking sound when I’m driving, when I start the car, anytime. And I also don’t have cold air anymore.

Filed Oct 2, 2024 · Visibility · 153,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front blower system was seized. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed HVAC blower motor. The contact was informed that the HVAC blower motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed of Technical Service Bulletin: 10163573; however, the contact was informed that the vehicle repair was not covered under the bulletin. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.

Filed May 8, 2024 · Transmission · PA

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

Filed Jan 19, 2024 · Locks · 115,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the locking assembly on the driver’s side door was frozen and failed to operate as designed. Due to the issue, the contact was unable to enter the vehicle without using a hair dryer to warm up the lock. However, once the door was opened, the door was unable to close until the lock was heated up again. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

Filed Apr 20, 2023 · Engine · VA

The engine is blown at 125k miles when all servicing and maintenance was done at the dealership. Somewhere around 50k to 60k miles, I complained to the dealership about a ticking noise from the engine and was told multiple times it was "normal with this engine". Well this engine blew while I was on my way to take the kids to school. I was on the interstate/bypass and was by some miracle able to get the 7-11. I was driving and all of a sudden, it sounded like there was squirrel under the hood. I had to have it towed to the dealership because it was not driveable and they told me the engine was no longer good and was blown. They said it would cost me $10k and I would be better off buying a new vehicle. There was no engine light or anything that came on until it blew. The only "warning" I had was the slight ticking noise that came from the engine, but when mentioned to the dealership, I was told that it was normal with this engine.

Filed Apr 4, 2022 · Wheels · TX

While getting tires replaced (Discount Tire), the representative pointed out that the aluminum-shelled lug nuts had swollen and become so deformed that the correctly sized socket could not be used. FUrthermore they could not be accurately torqued. The lug nuts had to be replaced, which cost $175.

Filed Mar 16, 2022 · Wheels · MN

2 piece lug nuts swelled creating a dangerous situation where the lugs were extremely difficult to remove. If the vehicle experienced a flat tire, they would be difficult if not impossible to remove on the road.

Filed Feb 22, 2022 · Electrical · 177,000 miles · MS · fire

The contact owns a 2011 FORD Expedition. The contact stated that while driving, there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated at the time she did not see any smoke coming from her vehicle, so she assumed it was the outside. The contact stated that once she parked her vehicle, she sat inside the vehicle for approximately one hour before she exited the vehicle. The contact stated that when she came back to her vehicle, it was filled with smoke. The contact stated that the wires from the rear, middle row, passengers seat, on the driver's side of the vehicle had been burning. The contact stated that it did not cause a fire, however, it did melt the foam inside the seat. The contact stated the wires inside the seat were also melted. The dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 177,000

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Compare the 2011 Ford Expedition

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2011 Ford Expedition

Is the 2011 Ford Expedition reliable?

Owners have filed 71 complaints about the 2011 Ford Expedition, fewer than a typical Expedition model year.

What is the 2011 Ford Expedition year score?

The 2011 Ford Expedition scores 90 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford Expedition: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2011 Ford Expedition?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 21 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles. Next is engine (13).

How many recalls does the 2011 Ford Expedition have?

No recalls on record.

What year does the Ford Expedition have bad transmission?

The Ford Expedition model years with the most transmission complaints are 2020 (270 complaints), 2019 (224 complaints) and 2018 (149 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2011 Ford Expedition get?

Official estimates for the 2011 Ford Expedition range from 13 to 16 mpg combined. The most efficient version (5.4L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 11-14 city and 16-20 highway.

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