2016 Ford Expedition engine problems

Filed Feb 5, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · TX

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 dealer. In order to visually examine the cam phasers, it requires something like 10+ hours to open the engine. You do not receive a warning light to replace cam phasers. It is merely an audio diagnosis. Ford SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE for replacing these free of charge and replacing them with the newer versions of cam phasers, which apparently don't fail. Driving around with rattling cam phasers can leave you stranded!

Filed Feb 2, 2026 · Driver assistance, Engine · CA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the rearview camera was intermittently inoperative. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine fan needed to be replaced; however, parts were not available for the repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jul 21, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · VA

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.

Filed Mar 26, 2025 · Engine · 148,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the engine made a knocking sound. No warning light was illuminated. The contact related the failure to the cam phasers; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

Filed Mar 25, 2025 · Engine · AZ

I experienced the same problem you are investigating in F-150’s: I was traveling on the highway at 75 miles per hour on cruise control - there was a really loud thunk and the Expedition unexpectedly downshifted to a lower gear, I hadn’t touched anything and there was no warning. It was really scary and has made me doubt the safety of this Expedition.

Filed Mar 11, 2025 · Engine · PA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving in the mountains and the vehicle was stuck in the middle of the road. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times; however, the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Nov 19, 2024 · Engine · 128,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the vehicle was making an abnormal rattling sound on cold starts. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving from a complete stop and while coming to a stop. The contact also stated that the vehicle was experiencing rough idling. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to P&B Auto Repair Shop, where it was diagnosed that the cam phasers had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

Filed Feb 16, 2024 · Engine · 125,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that an unknown fluid was leaking from the vehicle in two locations. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and informed about a possible catalytic converter failure. The mechanic blew out the parts. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the valve cover gasket was fractured, and the catalytic converter and vacuum pump needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the parts were not available. The dealer used silicon to secure the valve cover gasket. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

Filed Oct 5, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · LA

Sudden feel of a misfire putting truck into reverse, definitely caught my attention as vehicle has under 140k miles! Just had new Ford spark plugs and lifetime warrantied coil packs in the last 20 to 25k! it's had at least two if not three oil changes in the last 20k to 30k miles! Put vehicle into drive same felling of a misfire and doesn't take long it flashes the check engine light at me so I turn around to head back home and haven't really made it but around the corner and the car completely stalled out going by the neighbors house lost steering and brakes and noticed a very distinct smell of plastic/electrical burning! I pop the hood in total disgust and can't even see clearly enough to see the issue at the moment! A friend pulled in front my residence as I'm shaking my head and in tears! He points out a cracked and melted number one coil pack! Instantly replaced with nothing was wrong with the previous coil pack that nothing was wrong with but was unsure of the history! I now have a paperweight King Ranch Expedition! I'm not to familiar with this current what looks to fixing to be a recall anyway for what sound like the same overall issue as these 2020 and newer models that the fixing to hit! I have repaired my 02' Impala of a recall before I new it was a recall! Once I received the recall the issue of sudden loss of control of vehicle and engine shut down was already fixed by myself but out of curiosity I took the car in on a scheduled appointment to the GM Chevy dealer nearest me to fix the issue under recall that was already fixed! They placed plastic sleeves overs my keys and said done deal! I explained that that will not fix anything safely or permanently concerning these cars issues! Voiced my concern there at the dealership, with GM and this organization that I hope that no more loss of life would come from those! My current 2 recalls for my vehicle involved in my complaint today is a weeks if not months long wait to get vehicle back on one and no known

Filed Oct 2, 2023 · Engine · 120,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 30 MPH, a loud explosion sound came from the engine compartment and engine oil began to leak from the vehicle. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the turbo line had failed causing the turbo to strike the engine, creating a hole in the engine block. The contact was informed that the engine and turbo needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 120,000.