CarBrief

NHTSA has 72 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Ford Expedition and lists no recalls for the model year[1][2]. The power train is the largest complaint group, so that is the area to check on a used one[3].

72owner complaints[1]
15–16MPG combined (EPA)[4]
4★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 72 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Ten mention a crash, 2 a fire and 9 an injury[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components.

Here are the largest component groups:

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Power train[3] 34 124,000
Electrical system[6] 13 85,000
Engine[7] 10 138,500
Air bags[8] 7 40,000
Structure[9] 6 97,000

Speed control has 4 complaints[10]. Seat belts and the unknown or other group have 3 each[11][12].

Power train. This group has 34 complaints and 1 crash[3]. In a sample of 12 of these complaints that we read, 7 describe the transmission suddenly downshifting while driving, sometimes with a warning light or a loss of power[3]. Several of the 10 engine texts we read also describe shifting trouble[7]. The sample is small, so it shows what owners describe and not how often it happens.

Electrical system. There are 13 complaints, 2 fires and 1 injury[6]. In a sample of 12 texts, 3 describe a positive battery terminal that corrodes or melts, 3 describe power running boards that stick or work only sometimes, and 3 describe smoke, fire or a burning smell[6].

Air bags. Only 7 complaints, but they carry 6 crashes and 8 injuries[8]. In 6 of the 7 texts we read, owners say the air bags did not deploy in a crash[8]. That is a serious claim, but it comes from a handful of reports and NHTSA has not verified them.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2014 Ford Expedition[2].

Fuel economy

Both versions we have ratings for use a 5.4L 8-cylinder engine with an Automatic 6-spd and run on gasoline or E85[4][13].

Version City Highway Combined Annual fuel cost
2WD, rear-wheel drive[4] 14 MPG 20 MPG 16 MPG $4,200
4WD, part-time 4-wheel drive[13] 13 MPG 18 MPG 15 MPG $4,450

The EPA fuel cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new[4][13].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives every tested version 4 stars overall, 4 stars for frontal crashes and 5 stars for side crashes[5][14][15][16]. Rollover differs by drive type:

Engine and size

The EPA lists a 5.4L 8-cylinder engine[4][13]. These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
4WD SUV XLT/Limited[17] 206 in 79 in 77 in 119 in 5,805 lb
Max 4WD SUV Limited[18] 221 in 79 in 78 in 131 in 6,155 lb

How 2014 compares with other years

1997: 853 complaints, 7 recalls19971998: 836 complaints, 5 recalls1999: 946 complaints, 5 recalls2000: 890 complaints, 7 recalls20002001: 578 complaints, 6 recalls2002: 340 complaints, 2 recalls2003: 615 complaints, 1 recalls20032004: 297 complaints, 0 recalls2005: 315 complaints, 0 recalls2006: 299 complaints, 2 recalls20062007: 215 complaints, 2 recalls2008: 146 complaints, 3 recalls2009: 28 complaints, 1 recalls20092010: 58 complaints, 0 recalls2011: 71 complaints, 0 recalls2012: 118 complaints, 3 recalls20122013: 92 complaints, 0 recalls2014: 72 complaints, 0 recalls7220142015: 164 complaints, 3 recalls20152016: 217 complaints, 3 recalls2017: 357 complaints, 4 recalls2018: 382 complaints, 14 recalls20182019: 518 complaints, 11 recalls2020: 425 complaints, 18 recalls2021: 238 complaints, 12 recalls20212022: 116 complaints, 12 recalls2023: 65 complaints, 8 recalls2024: 78 complaints, 7 recalls20242025: 38 complaints, 6 recalls2026: 10 complaints, 2 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Expedition model year. The 2014 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19978537
19988365
19999465
20008907
20015786
20023402
20036151
20042970
20053150
20062992
20072152
20081463
2009281
2010580
2011710
20121183
2013920
2014720
20151643
20162173
20173574
201838214
201951811
202042518
202123812
202211612
2023658
2024787
2025386
2026102

NHTSA lists 72 complaints and 0 recalls for 2014[2]. The 2013 model year has 92 complaints and 0 recalls[2]. The 2012 year has 118 complaints and 3 recalls, and 2015 has 164 complaints and 3 recalls[2]. Some years have fewer complaints, such as 2009 with 28 and 2010 with 58[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many were sold, so read them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2014 Expedition?

There are 72 complaints and 0 recalls[1][2]. One area to look at is the transmission, since the power train is the largest complaint group and owners in the sample we read describe sudden downshifts[3]. Ask for service records and test drive it on a highway. Expect fuel costs of $4,200 to $4,450 a year at EPA prices[4][13].

Frequently asked questions

What problems does the 2014 Ford Expedition have?
NHTSA has 72 complaints, and 34 of them name the power train[1][3]. In a small sample, owners describe sudden downshifts[3].
Has the 2014 Ford Expedition been recalled?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2014 model year[2].
What is the gas mileage of the 2014 Ford Expedition?
The 2WD is rated 16 MPG combined and the 4WD 15 MPG combined[4][13].
How safe is the 2014 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall[5]. Rollover is 3 stars for 4x2 and 4 stars for 4x4[5][15].
Is the 2014 Ford Expedition a good year?
It has fewer complaints than 2013 or 2015 and no recalls[2]. The power train complaints are worth checking[3].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 72 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Ford Expedition (10 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 9 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Expedition model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 34 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 124,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. EPA rating for Expedition 2WD FFV, 5.4L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, EXTENDED SUV 4x2: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 21.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 13 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 10 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 138,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 7 complaints name the air bags component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 6 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 97,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 4 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 3 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 3 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. EPA rating for Expedition 4WD FFV, 5.4L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4x2: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 21.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
  15. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, EXTENDED SUV 4x4: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 19.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
  16. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4x4: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 19.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
  17. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, EXPEDITION 4WD SUV XLT/LIMITED: length 206 in, width 79 in, height 77 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 5,805 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, EXPEDITION MAX 4WD SUV LIMITED: length 221 in, width 79 in, height 78 in, wheelbase 131 in, curb weight 6,155 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.