FordExpedition2016Overview/ford/expedition/2016/base/

2016 Ford Expedition

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Expedition.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2016 Ford Expedition is an SUV equipped with a 6.0‑quart 5W‑30 oil capacity and a six‑speed automatic (S6) transmission. It returns an EPA‑estimated 16/22/18 mpg city/highway/combined. Owner‑reported complaints total 211, with service brakes leading the categories and three recalls issued for the model year. Within the Expedition’s complaint history spanning 1991 to 2027, the 2016 figure sits far below the 1999 peak of 1,007 complaints but above the 1991 low of just one, indicating a moderate reliability profile for this model year.

Model year202520242023202120202019201820172016

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/22/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

Tire size275/55R20OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5, 8.5, 9.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length205.9 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height77.2 in
Wheelbase118.9 in
Curb weight5847 lb
Track (front / rear)66.9 / 67.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)50/50

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 22 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Expedition of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.4–9.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.40 sec — 2015 Platinum
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2015Platinum 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.40 sec15.00 sec365 hp4x4
2015EL King Ranch 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.50 sec15.10 sec365 hp4x4
2008King Ranch 5.4L V88.10 sec16.10 sec300 hp4x4
2007EL Limited 5.4L V88.40 sec16.20 sec300 hp4x4
2007EL Eddie Bauer 5.4L V89.00 sec16.80 sec300 hp4x4
2007EL Eddie Bauer 5.4L V89.10 sec16.90 sec300 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, SAE 80W · SAE 75W in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity13.1
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilSAE 80W · SAE 75W
Engine Coolant Capacity18.0-19.0
Engine Oil5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts29.5
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts85.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub258 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.028 - .037 in
Spark Plug Torque11 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.50-2.75 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity7.1 oz

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)51-73 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 27; Rear: 28 /; Front: 27; Rear: 28
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 184; Rear: 140 /; Front: 184; Rear: 140
ABS Sensor Torque6.6 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.079 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .1.259 Use; Rear: .771
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 7 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil. · Bolts 1-18

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
236.0 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
336.0 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
436.0 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
590 degrees90 degrees
690 degrees90 degrees
790 degrees; Bolts 19-2290 degrees
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil. · Bolts 1-8

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
226.0 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
390 degrees90 degrees
490 degrees90 degrees
545 degrees; Bolt 945 degrees
17.4 ft. lbs.7.4 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 Ford Expedition sits at the beginning of a rising trend in federal complaints and technical service bulletins (TSBs) that accelerated throughout the late 2010s. With 211 complaints and 115 TSBs, the 2016 model shows a notable increase over the 164 complaints and 72 TSBs recorded for 2015. However, it remains more stable than the 2017 and 2018 models, which saw complaints climb to 353 and 358 respectively. The most frequent complaint areas for 2016 were Service Brakes (29) and Power Train (22), though the data does not specify the root causes for these issues. This model year also recorded 3 recalls, 8 crash complaints, and 8 fire complaints. Because it avoids the significant spike in complaints and recalls seen in the years immediately following, this is a relatively good year to buy.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
115
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
211
Owner complaints
8 involved a crash · 8 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 211 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes29
Power Train22
Back Over Prevention15
Engine15
Electrical System14
Service Brakes, Hydraulic12
Unknown Or Other11
Vehicle Speed Control8

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

22V150000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power AssistReported 11/03/2022

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and 2016-2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from… Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim…

22V648000Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Fan/MotorReported 26/08/2022

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front blower motor located behind the glove box may fail. Remedy: Dealers will replace the front blower motor assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2023. Remedy parts are expected to become available in the…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 115 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
25N15 S12026-04-20Electrical SystemCustomer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple…
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
TSB 25-25702025-11-26Electrical SystemThis article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles…
SSM 543662025-11-11Power TrainSome 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic…
SSM 530402024-10-10Unknown Or OtherWhile performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Expedition. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2016 Expedition take?

6.0 qt of 5W-30 meeting Ford specification WSS-M2C946-A or equivalent., per the factory manual.

Does the 2016 Expedition have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Expedition get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.