The 2020 Expedition with 3.5L EcoBoost suffers from a catastrophic engine defect affecting cam phasers and internal components, plus transmission cooling issues that can grenade the 10R80 if not caught early. These aren't minor quirks—they're expensive failures that hit without warning.
Cam Phaser Failure Leading to Catastrophic Engine Damage
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Cold-start rattle that sounds like diesel knock for 2-5 seconds, Check engine light with P0017/P0018 cam correlation codes, Metal shavings in oil—by this point internal damage is done, Loss of power, rough idle, eventually complete engine failure
Fix: Cam phaser replacement requires front timing cover removal (8-12 hours), but if metal contaminated the system you're looking at short block or complete engine replacement (16-24 hours). Ford extended warranty on some VINs but 2020s often fall outside coverage unless you fight.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500 for phasers alone; $8,000-15,000 for short block or reman engine
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure and Internal Cooler Clogging
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission running hot—240°F+ on gauge or scanner, Harsh or delayed shifts, especially 3-4 and 5-6 transitions, Transmission fluid looks burnt or smells toasted despite recent service, Leaking cooler lines at crimp connections near radiator
Fix: The 10R80 relies on tiny cooler passages that clog with debris. External cooler line replacement is 2-3 hours, but the internal cooler in the radiator often needs flushing or replacement. If transmission already cooked itself, you're at 18-22 hours for rebuild or replacement.
Estimated cost: $800-1,500 for lines and external cooler; $5,500-8,000 for transmission rebuild
Seat Belt Pretensioner Deployment/Malfunction
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: Seat belt warning light illuminated with B1342/B1343 codes, Seat belt pretensioners deploy without collision (loud pop, smoke smell), SOS post-crash system disabled message on cluster, Seat belt won't retract properly or feels jammed
Fix: Two separate recalls address pretensioner issues—moisture intrusion causes unwanted deployment. Replacement requires new buckle assemblies and sometimes seat disassembly (2-4 hours per side). Dealer-only repair due to airbag system integration.
Estimated cost: $0 if recall applies; $800-1,800 per seat if out-of-pocket
Body Control Module (BCM) Software Glitches
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Random electrical gremlins—windows, locks, lights acting independently, Phantom door-ajar warnings with everything closed, Push-button start intermittently won't recognize key fob, Gauge cluster resets or goes dark while driving
Fix: Ford issued TSB/recall for BCM software updates. Reflash takes 1-2 hours at dealer with Ford IDS tool. Occasionally the BCM itself fails and needs replacement (1.5 hours), which requires VIN programming—not a DIY job.
Estimated cost: $0-200 for software update; $600-1,200 for BCM replacement
Fuel System Contamination from In-Tank Filter Deterioration
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Rough idle and hesitation under load—feels like fuel starvation, P0087 low fuel pressure code, Hard starting after sitting overnight, Fuel pump whine becomes louder over time
Fix: The in-tank fuel filter media breaks down and clogs injectors or the high-pressure pump. Requires tank drop (3-4 hours) to replace filter, pump, and sometimes the entire fuel pump module. Injector cleaning or replacement adds time if contamination spread.
Estimated cost: $900-1,800 for pump/filter; add $400-800 if injectors need service
Transmission Mount Failure (Rear Mount)
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Vibration felt through floor during acceleration, Visible sagging or torn rubber on transmission mount during inspection
Fix: The rear transmission mount on the 10R80 takes abuse from the twin-turbo torque. Replacement is straightforward—support trans with jack, unbolt old mount, bolt in new (1.5-2 hours). Cheap fix but annoying if ignored.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Owner tips
Change engine oil every 5,000 miles with quality synthetic—these EcoBoosts are hard on oil and the phasers need clean supply
Install an aftermarket transmission temp gauge and add an auxiliary cooler if you tow—the factory cooling is marginal
Check for open recalls by VIN every 6 months—Ford keeps issuing new ones for this generation
Inspect cam phaser condition at every oil change after 40k miles—pull the dipstick and look for metallic glitter
Keep detailed service records—Ford sometimes extends goodwill coverage on cam phaser failures if you can prove maintenance history
Buy only with extended warranty or extreme caution—the cam phaser time bomb and transmission cooling issues make this a high-risk used purchase despite being only 5 years old.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. A short circuit within the battery junction box can cause an engine fire while driving or parked.
Consequence: 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. Owner notification letters were mailed October 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's numbers for this recall are 22S36 and 22S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 23, 2025.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE · 25V442000
2025-06-27
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Consequence: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER · 25V197000
2025-05-23 · RQ24015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
Consequence: Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S31. Some vehicles in this recall that were previously inspected under recall 24V-099 and did not have parts replaced will need to have this new recall remedy completed.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE · 25V346000
2025-05-23
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition and Navigator vehicles that were repaired incorrectly under recall 20V262. The Pre-Collision Assist features, such as forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, are not functional due to a software error.
Consequence: Inoperative pre-collision assist features that fail to perform as expected can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S56.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · 24V852000
2024-11-08
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER · 24V099000
2024-02-09 · PE23021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently deploy and lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
Consequence: Seat belts that do not retract or extend may fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt retractors, as necessary. Additionally, dealers will install an HVAC drain tube elbow if it is missing. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S06.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with third-row seating; and 2019-2023 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 SuperCab vehicles. The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."
Consequence: Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will mail the Owner's Manual addendums that describe how to adjust and remove the head restraints for the center seating positions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C20.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-150, Expedition, 2020-2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, and 2020-2021 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.
Consequence: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both front windshield wiper arms, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 24, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available 3rd Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S26.
SEAT BELTS · 20V574000
2020-09-23
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition vehicles. The seat belt tension sensor may incorrectly classify a child occupant as an adult.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, the incorrect classification would enable the passenger air bag to deploy instead of disabling it, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt buckle, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S54.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 20V575000
2020-09-23
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C19.
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY · 20V366000
2020-06-23
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The attachment bracket for the driver's side second-row seat headrest may not have been sufficiently welded to the seat frame. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."
Consequence: An improperly welded headrest bracket may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace it as needed, free of charge. This recall began July 8, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C12.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with camera-only Pre-Collision Assist feature. Vehicles built with the optional radar-plus-camera Pre-Collision Assist system are not affected. Due to incorrect coding of interfacing modules, the Pre-Collision Assist feature is not enabled, and the driver cannot access the menu functions necessary to enable the Pre-Collision Assist feature.
Consequence: If the driver is unaware that the Pre-Collision Assist feature is not enabled, they may rely on a system that is not functional, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram software for the Body Control Module, Antilock Braking System, Instrument Panel Cluster and Headlamp Control Modules, and reset the Tire Pressure Monitor System, free of charge. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S20.
SEAT BELTS · 20V217000
2020-04-16
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition vehicles. The front passenger seatbelt buckle's Belt Tension Sensor (BTS) may malfunction and may result in the seat occupant being misclassified.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, the restraint system may not provide the intended level of protection, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seatbelt buckle, free of charge. The recall began May 11, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S17.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) · 20V197000
2020-04-03
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ranger and F-150 vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions and certain 2020 Expedition vehicles equipped with a "police" package. The transmission shift cable lock clip may not be fully seated, allowing the transmission to actually be in a different gear than the gear shift position selected by the driver.
Consequence: If the transmission selection does not match the indicated gear selection, and the parking brake is not applied, unintended vehicle movement can occur, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the shift cable locking clip installation, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S18.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER · 19V633000
2019-08-28
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
Consequence: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.
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