2018 Ford Expedition: engine overheating

Filed Jul 24, 2026 · Transmission · PA

The heater hose that feeds the front and rear heater cores ruptured while traveling at highway speeds on a main road. The engine coolant directly sprays onto the engine resulting in a steam cloud that can not be seen through, also rapidly overheating that motor. This caused a dangerous scenario where the driver can not see the road correctly through the steam cloud while trying to pull off of the highway with the engine over temp warnings flashing in the screen further adding to the panic.

Filed Aug 5, 2025 · FL

On [XXX] my AC stopped working and there was a major burning smell. I took the vehicle in to determine the issue. The service advisor advised me that the motor blower had overheated and burned the wires completely causes a fire hazard. Later to find out there was the same recall under incident number 22S56, but my year vehicle was not included. I called Ford customer service and was told they have heard customers having the same issue with 2018s but has yet to be recalled. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 1, 2025 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · UT

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted without warning. The transmission also shifted hard, and the vehicle jerked while driving at various speeds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. The transmission was rebuilt. The following day while driving approximately 65 MPH, the transmission shifted hard, and the contact became aware that transmission fluid was leaking from the vehicle after exiting and inspecting the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure and replaced the transmission. The contact stated that the transmission still shifted hard while driving and the message that the engine was overheating was displayed. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who had rebuilt the new transmission. After having the third repair, the failure recurred. The vehicle was returned to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Dec 3, 2024 · Engine · 40,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clunking sound while starting the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving a undisclosed speeds, the engine overheated. The contact stated that there was an extremely loud knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N03. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined the failure was related to the cam phasers. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed there were no associated recalls. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The water pump was replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

Filed Aug 29, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · 80,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a coolant leak underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the coolant hoses were faulty and needed to be replaced. Additional, while driving at various highway speeds the vehicle lost motive power and would not properly accelerate. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Oct 9, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · OR · fire

Our 2018 Ford Expedition Max caught fire while on a test drive after repairs at Canby Ford. It completely caught fire and is a total loss. We were supposed to pick up the car an hour later. If our kids were in the car strapped into car seats, there may not have been enough time to get them out. They could have died. The mechanic who was driving saw the engine smoking and jumped out (he was at risk). The whole car was gone within 2-3 minutes. In my opinion it exploded as all the windows were blown out. The motor block melted, and the front end of the car is gone. There is a report with Canby Oregon Fire Department. Most people would assume it was overheating, get out and open the hood with their family still in the car. If that had happened people could have died. There were no check engine lights on when we took it to Ford. It was just close to the end of a warranty and there was an engine rattle we wanted fixed. Please come look at the car to investigate. It is at an independent insurance valuation company. I asked the manager of Canby Ford if he would report it to Ford Motor Company, he said no it would just go through their insurance. Ford needs to recall all of the expeditions so someone doesn't die in a fire. Ford already settled on the 2021 Ford Expedition and there are fires on older models and similar F150 Trucks. There are many reported fires without a recall. Please recall all the expeditions and investigate all the other Ford Vehicle fires swept under the rug. We don't want someone else to die due to a lack of action. The previous Ford Expedition settlement is not enough as it only covers 2021. If nothing is done, we plan to go public on the news with the photos, hopefully we can say the federal safety agency did something (or we can say the federal safety agency did nothing). Other families are at risk, they need to know to get out fast cause it could catch fire or explode. They need to not assume the engine is overheating (as I would have done 2 months ago) it could be on fire .

Filed Aug 14, 2023 · Engine · FL

2018 Ford Expedition 3.5 - Engine makes a metal noise upon start up. Brought the vehicle to a licensed mechanic and was advised that the cam phasers have failed. This has caused engine trouble to include coolant leak and intermittent A/C. Dealership advised that there is no warranty and will not cover any cost of repairs.

Filed Aug 11, 2023 · Engine · 88,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, and occasionally while driving at various speeds, there was a loud rattling sound coming from the front-end of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while responding. The contact stated there was coolant leaking from the vehicle and the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the wrench symbol was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the cam phaser and timing chain had failed, and that coolant was leaking near the radiator. The contact was informed that the cam phaser and timing chain needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to TSB: 21N03-S4 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and filed a case. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.

Filed Jul 25, 2023 · Engine · FL

The cam shafts are not function correctly and need to be replaced which is causing the engine to overheat. The heater hose blew while we were driving the other day and engine temperature went to almost 300. The catalytic converter is also not functioning which is releasing emissions when we drive. The overheating engine could cause a fire while driving and the we all know about the emissions procedures. The vehicle has been inspected by the correct dealership. The warning light did come on and we took it into the dealership within the week. We also heard a knocking in the engine when we cold started the car. The engine light was not on when the heater hose blew due to the faulty cam shafts.

Filed May 13, 2021 · Engine · 91,000 miles · MO

2018 expedition max limited with 91k miles overheated and blew a head gasket sitting in a home depot parking lot.

Filed Jul 25, 2020 · Transmission · 35,000 miles · OK

Power train failure indicator light came on about 800 miles into a road trip. Vehicle was being driven on city streets in extreme stop and go traffic after recently exiting the interstate. Vehicle started downshifting extremely roughly, jerking the entire vehicle forward and transmission started to overheat. Vehicle has always been a little rough up shifting since purchase but this was the first time any indicator lights came on. Vehicle was taken to ford dealership where we were told transmission needed to be replaced. Vehicle has 36,000 miles.