VehicleVerdict

2018 Ford Expedition transmission problems

The 2018 Ford Expedition has 137 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 30% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

137

Transmission complaints

30%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

3

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Related recalls

26V402000TransmissionJune 24, 2026 · 741,195 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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, are expected to be mailed August 3, 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 NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.

18V213000TransmissionApril 4, 2018 · 142 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

18V214000TransmissionApril 4, 2018 · 292,909 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

What owners report

THE TRUCK WAS BEING BACKED INTO A PARKING SPOT ,THE TRUCKS TURNED OFF I PUSHED THE PEDAL TO START THE TRUCK TO BACK UP AND IT PROPELLED INTO THE WALL OF THE ESTABLISHMENT THAT I WAS GOING INTO TO EAT DINNER CAUSING A GREAT DEAL OF DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING AND MY VEHICLE. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THIS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 30, 2018 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2018 Ford Expedition have?

NHTSA has 137 complaints about the 2018 Ford Expedition transmission — 30% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2018 Ford Expedition transmission?

Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the transmission: 18V213000, 18V214000, 26V402000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.