FordExpedition2021Overview/ford/expedition/2021/base/

2021 Ford Expedition

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Expedition.

Transmission Automatic (S10)

The 2021 Ford Expedition is defined mechanically by its Automatic (S10) transmission and a powertrain requiring 6.0 quarts of 5W-30 engine oil, a combination that yields EPA fuel economy of 17 city, 23 highway, and 19 combined mpg. Looking at the model's broader complaint history from 1991 to 2027, this year carries 214 total owner complaints—dominated by Power Train issues—alongside 12 recalls. Although this tally sits far below the model's historic peak of 1,007 complaints in 1999 and well above the single-complaint minimum of 1991, it means researchers must approach the 2021 Expedition as a vehicle with a moderately troubled reliability record where powertrain concerns remain a primary factor.

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 economy17/23/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 94R · 800 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 94R · 800 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnPWMOEM · verified
Tire size285/45R22/XL 114HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim9.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S10)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length209.8 in
Overall width79.9 in
Overall height76.4 in
Wheelbase122.4 in
Curb weight5624 lb
Track (front / rear)67.7 / 67.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)50/50

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 23 / 19 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.

4.9–6.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.90 sec — 2025 Max Platinum (Stealth Performance Pack)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2022Limited Stealth Performance Edition 3.5L Twin-Turbo V64.90 sec13.70 sec440 hp4x4
2022Timberline 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.10 sec13.80 sec440 hp4x4
2022Timberline 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.30 sec14.00 sec440 hp4x4
2022Max XLT 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.10 sec14.60 sec380 hp4x4
2018Platinum 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.70 sec14.40 sec400 hp4x4
2018Max Platinum 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.90 sec14.60 sec400 hp4x4
2018XLT FX4 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.20 sec14.80 sec375 hp4x4
2018Max Platinum 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.90 sec15.30 sec400 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, 75W-85 · Synthetic in the differential, Dot 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity13.0 qt
Brake FluidDot 4
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · Synthetic
Engine CoolantMotorcraft Yellow Concentrated
Engine Oil5W-30 · Synthetic
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Transfer Case FluidATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.16 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.91 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)35.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)14.75 ft-lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts59.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Torque Converter Bolts35.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts7.14 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug11.08 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug11.08 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain PlugFill Plug: 35.0; Drain Plug: NA ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub258 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.030 in
Spark Plug Torque11.08 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity2.31 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeYN-35
Oil Capacity6.1 oz
Standard BCI Group NumberOnly use AGM VRLA Battery. 94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance800 cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum44.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum73.0 psi
RPM44.0-73.0 @ Idle rpm
Engine Oil PressureHigh Mode: 30.0 psi; Low Mode: 20.0 psi

Brakes

Minimum Pad Thickness0.118 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
15.91 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45°5.91 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
117.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 32.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°17 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.75 ft. lbs., Step 2: 33.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°, Step 4: 90°, Step 5: 90°, Step 6: M6 Bolt: 7.14 ft. lbs., Step 7: Studs: 13.2514.75 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45°7.14 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18.014 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Install bolts finger tight., Step 227 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45°7.14 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 at 200,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 200,000 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) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
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)
At 200,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & 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 2021 Ford Expedition sits within the fourth generation (2018–present), a period marked by elevated complaint and recall activity compared to earlier model years. In 2021, complaints dropped to 214 from a peak of 455 in 2019, and recalls held steady at 12—matching 2020’s count but down from 16 in that year. The top complaint area was the powertrain (74 reports), and the year recorded 3 crash and 4 fire complaints, though the data does not specify root causes for these issues. This places 2021 in a downward trend from the generation’s highest complaint years (2018–2020), but it still carries a higher recall burden than the subsequent 2022–2025 models, which show progressively fewer complaints. While 2021 is an improvement over the first three years of this generation, its recall count remains elevated, and the powertrain complaints are notable. For a buyer, the 2021 Expedition is a middle-ground choice—safer than earlier fourth-gen models but not as refined as later years, so it is a reasonable buy only if you can verify that outstanding recalls have been addressed.

12
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
138
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
213
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 214 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train74
Engine22
Unknown Or Other18
Visibility,Engine9
Visibility/Wiper7
Power Train,Engine7
Electrical System7
Fuel/Propulsion System6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 12 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V805000Air Bags:Sensor:Side ImpactReported 15/10/2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, 2021 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front-door side impact pressure sensor modules may have been damaged during… Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver and passenger front door side impact sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 3, 2021. Owners may contact Ford…

22V250000Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:LinkagesReported 14/04/2022

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 138 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 547202026-04-02Electrical SystemVarious 2020-2026 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system…
SSM 547192026-04-02Power TrainFor 20212026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch…
25N172026-03-25Unknown Or OtherAdvance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year…
SSM 546742026-03-19Power TrainFor 2021-2026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch…
SSM 545892026-02-17Electrical SystemSome 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC3 may experience various…

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 2021 Expedition take?

6.0 qt of Motorcraft 5W-30 Synthetic, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Expedition have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Expedition get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined mpg.