CarBrief

NHTSA has 357 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Expedition, and four recalls cover it[1][2]. Two of those recalls involve the brake master cylinder, so check that the work was done on any used one you consider[3][4].

357owner complaints[1]
4recalls[2]
16–18MPG combined (EPA)[5]
5★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Reported problems

NHTSA lists 357 owner complaints for this model year[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name several parts. The counts are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Here are the biggest component groups.

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Electrical system[7] 92 88,000
Brakes[8] 75 92,969
Power train[9] 51 65,000
Engine[10] 42 76,000
Unknown or other[11] 41 14,000
Back over prevention[12] 31 94,500
Visibility[13] 29 96,000
Speed control[14] 21 50,100

In the sample of complaint texts we read, owners describe a few repeat stories.

Across all groups, the complaints include 21 that mention a crash, 7 that mention a fire and 27 that mention injuries[1]. NHTSA reports no deaths[1].

Recalls

Four recalls are on file, newest first[2]. Each remedy below is described by NHTSA as free of charge[16][3][15][4].

Fuel economy

EPA lists four versions, all with a 3.5L 6-cylinder turbo engine and an Automatic (S6) transmission, running on regular fuel[5][17][18][19].

Version City / Hwy / Combined MPG Est. annual fuel cost
Expedition 2WD[5] 15 / 21 / 18 $3,700
Expedition EL 2WD[17] 15 / 20 / 17 $3,950
Expedition 4WD[18] 15 / 20 / 17 $3,950
Expedition EL 4WD[19] 15 / 19 / 16 $4,200

EPA bases the annual cost on its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4x2 SUV 5 stars overall, 5 stars for frontal and side crash tests, and 3 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 21.2%[6]. The 4x4 SUV also gets 5 stars overall, frontal and side, but 4 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 19.8%[20].

Engine and size

The EPA test list shows a 3.5L 6-cylinder rated at 365 hp[21]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[22][23].

Expedition 4WD SUV Expedition MAX 4WD SUV
Length[22][23] 206 in 221 in
Width[22][23] 79 in 79 in
Height[22][23] 77 in 78 in
Wheelbase[22][23] 119 in 131 in
Curb weight[22][23] 5,847 lb 6,102 lb

How 2017 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 recalls2015: 164 complaints, 3 recalls20152016: 217 complaints, 3 recalls2017: 357 complaints, 4 recalls35720172018: 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 2017 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

The 2017 model year has 357 complaints and 4 recalls[2]. The years just before it look lighter, with 164 complaints and 3 recalls for 2015, and 217 complaints and 3 recalls for 2016[2]. The next two years are heavier. 2018 has 382 complaints and 14 recalls, and 2019 has 518 complaints and 11 recalls[2]. Complaint counts do not account for sales, so treat this as a rough guide within the same model[2].

Should you buy a used 2017 Expedition?

If you are considering a used 2017 Expedition, check the paperwork first. Ask for proof that the brake master cylinder and blower motor recalls were done, since both involve safety risks[3][15][4]. EPA lists 16 to 18 combined MPG depending on version[5][17][18][19]. Owners also describe sudden power loss in complaints, so a long test drive is sensible[10]. Our data does not cover towing, reliability scores or repair costs.

Frequently asked questions

What problems are reported for the 2017 Ford Expedition?
By count, NHTSA complaints name the electrical system (92), brakes (75), power train (51) and engine (42)[7][8][9][10].
Does the 2017 Ford Expedition have recalls?
Yes. Four are on file: rearview camera, front blower motor and two for the brake master cylinder[16][3][15][4].
What MPG does the 2017 Ford Expedition get?
EPA lists 16 to 18 combined MPG depending on version, from 18 for the Expedition 2WD to 16 for the EL 4WD[5][19].
How safe is the 2017 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall[6][20]. Rollover is 3 stars for the 4x2 and 4 stars for the 4x4[6][20].
How does 2017 compare with other Expedition years?
It has 357 complaints, more than 2015 and 2016 but fewer than 2018 and 2019[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 357 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Ford Expedition (21 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 27 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Expedition model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 25V236, filed April 11, 2025: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 22V150, filed March 11, 2022: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder. NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Expedition 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 21 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4x2: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 21.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 92 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 5 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 75 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 92,969). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 51 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 42 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 76,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 41 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 14,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 31 complaints name the back over prevention component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 94,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 29 complaints name the visibility component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 96,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 21 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,100). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. Recall 22V648, filed August 26, 2022: Visibility › Defroster / Defogger / Hvac System › Fan / Motor. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 25V572, filed September 3, 2025: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
  17. EPA rating for Expedition EL 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Expedition 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Expedition EL 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4x4: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 19.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Ford Expedition with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 365 hp. www.epa.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, EXPEDITION 4WD SUV: length 206 in, width 79 in, height 77 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 5,847 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, EXPEDITION MAX 4WD SUV: length 221 in, width 79 in, height 78 in, wheelbase 131 in, curb weight 6,102 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.