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2018 Ford Expedition: shudder or vibration when accelerating

7 of the 384 complaints about the 2018 Ford Expedition describe shudder or vibration when accelerating.

owner complaints
7
of this car's complaints
2%
typical mileage
115,000
recalls
3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 27 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Shudder or vibration when accelerating by model year

  • 2026
    1
  • 2023
    2
  • 2021
    3
  • 2020
    12
  • 2019
    13
  • 2018
    7
  • 2017
    2
  • 2016
    2
  • 2013
    2
  • 2010
    1
  • 2006
    2
  • 2005
    2
  • 2004
    1
  • 2003
    4
  • 2001
    1
  • 1999
    2
  • 1998
    1
  • 1997
    1

What owners say

Filed Aug 26, 2025 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission independently upshifted and then shifted into neutral. The contact stated that the transmission temperature gauge became elevated, and the vehicle shuddered while accelerating. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the transmission was previously replaced twice before owning the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because the warranty had expired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

Filed Jul 29, 2025 · Transmission · 129,617 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, and the transmission shuddered abnormally and unexpectedly downshifted. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,617.

Filed Aug 9, 2024 · Engine · 141,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered abnormally with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that all 4 VTC cam phasers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N03 – Supplement #4 which the vehicle had previously been repaired under; however, the cam phasers were not replaced. The contact stated that only a software update was performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.

Filed Feb 4, 2024 · Transmission · MT

The transmission will shudder while accelerating, vehicle will shift gears up and down randomly, not allowing me to accelerate while on a road with traffic. The transmission will slam/clunk into gear while driving. When that happens, there is not power and your bot accelerating anymore and it's really unsafe in traffic. While coasting to a stop the transmission will hard shift/clunk and the gears go down whilst coming to a stop.

Filed Sep 7, 2023 · Electrical, Fuel system · 46,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle started sputtering and unintendedly decelerated to 20 MPH. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 20 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the fuel pump was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the fuel pump and the Variable Valve Timing (VVT) Solenoid were replaced; however, the failure recurred increasingly, and the vehicle lost motive power on several occasions. The contact veered to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle after several attempts and continued driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the fuel pump and the fuel pressure rail were replaced; however, the check engine warning light became illuminated. The contact's husband replaced the O2 sensors, the catalytic converter, and the fuel pump stand; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered while idling in the parking lot and then lost power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts; however, the failure recurred while driving to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Tri-State Ford (1900 Interstate 40 Access Rd, Amarillo, TX 79103), where it was diagnosed that a relay in the wiring harness box had failed, and the wiring harness box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

Filed Jan 18, 2023 · Engine · 70,015 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The vehicle was previously serviced under Customer Satisfaction Program: 21B10 (Powertrain Control Module Reprogram for Cam Phaser Rattle) however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the engine made rattling noises. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor 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 contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Programs: 21N03 (Cam Phaser Replacement) and 21N08 (PCM Reprogram Due to Engine Shudder) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 70,015.

Filed Oct 13, 2022 · Transmission · 48,000 miles · UT

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle and driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made rattling sounds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N08 (PCM Reprogram Due To Engine Shudder) and that the cam phaser also needed to be replaced. However, the dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer declined the repair due to the vehicle's salvage title. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and declined the replacement part due to the salvage title. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmissionReported June 24, 2026 · 741,195 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
Risk
Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on June 26, 2026.

Recall number 26V402000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported April 4, 2018 · 142 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-150 and 2018 Ford Expedition and Mustang and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions. A roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, potentially causing a loss of the "Park" function.
Risk
Despite the transmission shift lever being placed in 'Park' and the instrument panel display indicating 'Park,' the vehicle may roll away after it has been exited if the parking brake has not been applied, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission to make sure it has the roll pin, installing one if it is missing, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S09.

Recall number 18V213000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)Reported April 4, 2018 · 292,909 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-650 and F-750 vehicles equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions and 2018 Ford F-150 and Expedition vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions (excluding Expedition vehicles with a Rotary Gear Shift Dial on the console). The gear shift cable clip may not be properly seated, allowing the transmission to be in a different gear than indicated by the gear shift lever position.
Risk
If the gear shift cable clip becomes unseated or dislodged, the gear shift lever position may indicate that the transmission is in 'Park' when it may be in a different gear. Additionally, despite selecting 'Park', if the parking brake is not applied before the vehicle is exited, the vehicle may roll. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the shift cable locking clip and properly seat it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for the recall is 18S10.

Recall number 18V214000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2018 Ford Expedition shudder

Is shudder or vibration when accelerating a common problem on the 2018 Ford Expedition?

7 of 384 owner complaints about the 2018 Ford Expedition (2%) mention shudder or vibration when accelerating. The model year with the most reports is 2019.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2018 Ford Expedition?

There are 3 recalls and 27 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2018 Ford Expedition

Check engine light 32Jerking 29Transmission failure 27Loss of power 26Harsh shifting 20Slipping 19Stalling 17Knocking 12Headlights 12Won't shift 12Grinding brakes 11Overheating 11Hesitation 9Door locks 8Backup camera 7Engine failure 7Seat belt 6Start-stop 5

All model years of the Ford Expedition

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