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2021 Ford Expedition: check engine light

11 of the 243 complaints about the 2021 Ford Expedition describe check engine light.

owner complaints
11
of this car's complaints
5%
typical mileage
62,500
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 15 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Check engine light by model year

What owners say

Filed Sep 8, 2026 · Transmission · OH

While trying to pull out of a residential neighborhood onto a state highway (45 mph speed limit), the vehicle refused to accelerate. The transmission couldn't engage into gear and the vehicle struggled to gain momentum. After letting off of the accelerator pedal, and then applying the accelerator again, the transmission was able to engage, and the car began to accelerate. No check engine light or other indication of a problem. The Ford dealer told us that the CDF drum of the transmission needed to be replaced. It is a known defect due to poor engineering design. This is very common problem in 2020 and 2021 Expeditions and F150 vehicle.

Filed Jun 16, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · 62,500 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted and the vehicle jerked abnormally. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle with the Check Engine warning light illuminated. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to the 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 contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 62,500.

Filed Jul 14, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · 95,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that upon attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle started to shake abnormally, and lost motive power. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the contact immediately attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

Filed Jul 11, 2025 · Fuel system · 71,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact's wife had attempted to start the vehicle several times. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the engine seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with fuel pump failure. The contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

Filed Aug 15, 2024 · Fuel system · TX

My catalytic converter of my 2021 expedition is going out. We had a 2019 Ford Expedition Texas Edition and I had the same issue. We purchased our current expedition in April of 2023. This spring the converter was signaled with the check engine light and since then my vehicle has had issues with acceleration, it consumes gas at an extremely high rate and my engine works harder over time. My concern is that my vehicle will have an engine malfunction or put me into bankruptcy by the amount of gas it consumes per trip. I found that many other expeditions from the years 2018-2022 have similar issues to mine, in fact one of my friends in town had the same issue. I reported my issue to Ford and they said they would not repair. My vehicle has less than 80k miles on it.

Filed Jul 18, 2024 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while at a four-way stop, the vehicle failed to move, and downshifted to first gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

Filed Jul 15, 2024 · Engine · 11,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the passenger's side catalytic converter was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Bozard Ford Lincoln (540 Outlet Mall Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32084), where the passenger's side catalytic converter was replaced; however, the failure recurred 8 months later. The vehicle was taken back to the second dealer, where the driver's and passenger's side catalytic converters were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered monetary compensation; however, the contact stated that the monetary compensation was not adequate to correct the persistent failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.

Filed Jun 30, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · GA

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the vehicle began to shake forcefully. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated before the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to park on the side of the roadway, restart the vehicle, and continued driving. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact continued to experience the failure within 24 hours. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the fuel injectors to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but experienced the failure a third time. The contact stated the catalytic converter, and the transmission warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle a third time to the local dealer, diagnosed, and it was determined that the catalytic converter and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jan 25, 2023 · Transmission · IA

We just purchased this vehicle and started to notice a hard down shift when slowing down from 6th gear. I drove it Saturday January 21st and when I shifted the vehicle into reverse to back into a parking space it threw the transmission into a fault and had no reverse. Still drove forward. Took the vehicle in for service on 1/25/23. They ordered parts to fix the harsh shift. No comment on the reverse issue. Picked up vehicle evening of 1/25/23. Drove from dealership to gas station close to home, about 15 miles. Shut vehicle off to fuel. When I restarted the vehicle it kept pushing forward against trans pawl and then rolling back repeatedly. After it did this 10 times or so I put the vehicle in Nuetral and it proceeded to drive forward for 20-30 feet uphill. After 20-30 feet of driving forward the wrench light turned on and the vehicle stopped driving forward and rolled backwards down the hill as it should have. After this the vehicle had forward gears but no reverse gears. Wrench light and CEL light both illuminated when driving home from gas station. Will have dealership tow back 1/26/23 due to safety issue of vehicle driving forward while not in gear.

Filed Jul 27, 2022 · Engine · 18,000 miles · MS

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started jerking with an abnormal odor coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was notified by a telephone App of an issue with the catalytic convertor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a catalytic convertor failure. The vehicle was not repaired, due to parts not being available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000.

Filed Nov 24, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 3,100 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the soy-based electrical wires had been damaged by rodents. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would cover the cost of the repair. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 3,100.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

EngineReported May 17, 2022 · 66,221 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. An engine compartment fire may occur while driving or parked, even with the ignition in the "Off" position.
Risk
A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures and other vehicles, until the remedy is performed. Dealers will inspect and replace the battery junction box, as necessary, and remove a ground wire. On models equipped with standard-duty radiator fan motors, dealers will also install an auxiliary electrical box with a wire jumper. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed May 25, 2022. Owners will receive a second letter once the remedy is available. Currently the remedy is available for vehicles equipped with heavy-duty radiator fan motors, and those letters were mailed July 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S36.

Recall number 22V346000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2021 Ford Expedition check engine light

Is check engine light a common problem on the 2021 Ford Expedition?

11 of 243 owner complaints about the 2021 Ford Expedition (5%) mention check engine light. The model year with the most reports is 2019.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2021 Ford Expedition?

There is 1 recall and 15 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2021 Ford Expedition

Harsh shifting 32Transmission failure 28Jerking 24Loss of power 19Stalling 13Slipping 12Fuel pump 10Wipers 9Hesitation 8Backup camera 7Grinding brakes 7Won't shift 6

All model years of the Ford Expedition

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