2018 Ford Expedition Engine Problems

I am writing to express concern regarding a significant engine issue with my 2018 Ford Expedition. At approximately 122,000 miles, the vehicle developed a cylinder 4 misfire accompanied by low compression, indicating an internal engine failure. This type of issue seems premature for a well-maintained vehicle and has resulted in major repair considerations, including potential engine replacement. Given Ford’s reputation for durability and reliability, I find this failure both unexpected and concerning. I have kept up with regular maintenance and did not anticipate facing a major engine issue at this mileage. I am requesting that Ford review this situation and consider a recall. I have seen and heard of a lot of folks having this same issue at such an early mileage

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with camshaft phaser and timing chain failures. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,540.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, unofficially the failure was diagnosed as a failed cam phaser. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic test. Additionally, the contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 82,708.

My car started having cam phaser issues and caused a decrease in my ability to increase speed when on the interstate. This could have resulted in injury.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal cranking sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N03 (Cam Phaser Replacement); however, the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under the program. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud clanking sound coming from the vehicle with smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the heater hose and cam phaser had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Check Engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the cam phasers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,000. 

See attached document for complaint.

Cam phasers are making a loud rattling noise.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was a loud clanking sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the failure recurred with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the cam phasers had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

My cam phasers failed. I had a 6 year, 72k mile warranty. All maintenance was done at the dealership at the correct time. The parts failed at 7 years, 75,600 miles. Had to replace the engine. Dealer wanted to charge me $19000. Found a local shop to do it with new Ford engine for $14000. The cam phasers are a known issue. There are hundreds of vehicles out there that have had the same problem.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle on several occasions, there was a fast-banging metallic sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the cam phasers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the engine made an abnormal sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle failed to accelerate intermittently while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N03 (Cam Phaser Replacement); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

After taking my car in for a service bulletin and being told that the noise that was happening in my car was just a noise, I found out that my cam phasers needed to be replaced out of warranty. Driving down the road my car had a decrease in power and could have resulted in a wreck as I was not able to speed up correctly on the interstate.

The problem is with the cam phasers on the Ford Eco Boost 3.5 V6 Engine. Every morning when the vehicle has been sitting overnight and the engine is cool; the truck makes a loud rattle noise when starting. The rattle goes away within 2 seconds. There are tons of information online pertaining the cam phasers. Ford Motor company is very much aware of this problem on all 3.5 eco boost engines from 2017 through 2020. There have been occasions that if the cam phasers are not replaced there could be major damage to the engine. Knowing it took Ford 4 years for Ford to get it right, this issue should be a recall.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the vehicle was making an abnormally loud ticking sound on cold starts, while idling, and while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the sound was associated to a cam phaser failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 21B10. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to verify whether the vehicle was covered. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

Cam phaser issue. Chatter noise on cold start up. Guess this is a very common issue with this engine and vehicle

Engine knock (cam phasers) when starting vehicle. Happens whenever the vehicle has been sitting a few hours. The vehicle has been brought to the manufacturer dealership regarding the noise and when brought to their attention that it may be the cam phasers they remarked they hope it isn’t. Problem not fixed.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that upon start of the vehicle, an abnormal, knocking noise began to emit from the engine without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic was performed; the diagnostic showed that the engine's timing chain was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal rattling sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the cam phasers had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 21N03. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not covered. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 103,500.