What 210 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Expedition

On Apil 6 about 6:15 am I was on my way to work. And I start smelling what appears to be a gas smell and I wasn’t quite sure what was coming from so I cracked the window a little bit and said that I would try to check it when I got to work seeing that I was only roughly about 10 minutes away from work and out the corner of my right eye I noticed a flicker of light and it appeared to be flames coming from the passenger side of my vehicle under the dashboard around the blow motor area and the fuse box panel. I immediately poured over, turned the car off and the heat off that I had on because it was cold that morning popped the hood to ensure there was no fire coming from the hood ran around to the passenger side, noticed there was flames coming from underneath and beside panel, where the fuse box was ran to the back of my truck grabbed about a water and attempted to pour bottle of water on the cover of the box where I saw the flames coming out heard the sizzle realize it was electrical fire so I stopped using the water at that point realized there was a SUV that pulled up next to me which was a off duty police officer he said he saw the smoke call for the fire department at that time. I grabbed some fiber tiles that I use when I’m washing my car. I bought a handful of those up and pulled the cover off the fuse box and I start padding out the fire until I was able to get the fire out. Fire department came assessed. The vehicle said that the fire was put out successfully didn’t see any more source of the fire they left the scene as well as the police officer contacted my insurance company. They told the vehicle to my residency. The insurance damage of investor came out on April 10 and assessed contacted me on April 13 and told me the vehicle was totaled and the root cause was the climate control blower motor They had caught fire and caused enough damage that it will be too expensive to repair the entire vehicle..

NHTSA ODI 11731255

In June 2023 there was a strong burning smell in our 2016 Expedition's cabin. We took the vehicle to a mechanic and they found that a small fire had started around the blower motor that burned up the wires in/around the blower motor. The mechanic replaced the control board and harness. They replaced parts AAABL3Z-19E624-B and AAAFLlZ-188518-G. Then in August 2023 I received a recall notice from Ford for the blower motor. This was the first correspondence I had received from Ford that the blower motor had been recalled. I contacted a Ford dealer, Apple Ford Lincoln in Apple Valley, MN, on August 9th and requested reimbursement for the above parts along with a replacement of the blower motor under the recall. I have been calling and emailing the dealer weekly since August 9th and continue to be told the blower motor under the recall has been on backorder for months with no ETA on the part. On the morning of 10/16/2023, I smelled a burning smell in the cabin of the vehicle similar to the smell from June 2023 and the smell was still present after the vehicle sitting for 3 hours after driving. I would appreciate support with this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11550147

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that after parking and turning off the vehicle, she entered the trunk, and the vehicle rolled down her driveway into traffic and crashed into a fence while her 7-month-old daughter was still inside the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that it sounded like the shifter was stuck between the gears of park and reverse. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not yet taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic tests or repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11503379

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Expedition. While parked in her friend's driveway with her child in her car seat, the contact heard an abnormal, popping sound as she was outside of the vehicle. The vehicle began to roll back without warning with her child inside the vehicle; she attempted to hit the emergency brake but was unsuccessful. The vehicle continued to roll backward into a neighbor's fence before the vehicle came to a halt. The contact's daughter was safe inside the car seat and did not sustain any injuries; however, the contact sustained mental trauma as a result of the failure. A police report was filed due to the neighbor's damaged fence. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was given a case number; she was then referred to NHTSA for additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100,200.

NHTSA ODI 11502338

The contact owned a 2016 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at 20 MPH and the air conditioner stopped functioning. The contact heard a popping sound coming from the vehicle, the contact pulled over on the side of the road and noticed smoke was coming from under the glove department of the front passenger side. The contact proceed to check under the hood and did not see any smoking coming from under the hood. After closing the hood, the contact noticed flames coming from under the glove department on the passenger side, the contact attempted to pull the carpet to stop the flames but it was too late the vehicle was already in flames. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire, the fire department determined that the fire was caused by the air condition blower on the passenger side. A police report was filed. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed, and it was deemed a total lost by the insurance company. The manufacturer was contacted, and they stated that they would contact the contact back. The failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11488986

The vehicle was on park with engine on and all of the sudden started going in reverse. Driver was able to stop the vehicle and then it did it again.

NHTSA ODI 11468953

While accelerating to merge onto an interstate, the vehicle jerked aggressively with a loud "bang"(similar to sound of transmission popping out of gear). A flashing check engine light appeared and vehicle lost ability to accelerate further, but was able to maintain speed. Light smoke was noticed from rear view mirrors, followed seconds later by thick, dark smoke. Other cars began honking and waving at us. We pulled over as quickly as possible after the incident to assess. Once stopped, flames could be seen around the driverside cowl/front fender area and I yelled for my family to get out of the vehicle. The front end of the vehicle was engulfed within a couple of minutes of our safe exit.

NHTSA ODI 11461036

STARTED THE CAR TO GET HEATER GOING AND WARMED UP AND STARTED BUCKLING MY KIDS UP IN THEIR CAR SEATS. THAT'S WHEN I STARTED TO SMELL AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. I TURNED THE HEATER OFF AND THE SMELL GOT STRONGER. I TURNED THE HEATER BACK ON AND SMELLED IT EVEN WORSE. I IMMEDIATELY SWITCHED IT TO AC INSTEAD OF HEAT AND THEN I STARTED TO NOTICE SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE CAR OFF. THE SMOKE CONTINUED TO BELLO OUT OF THE AIR VENTS. AS SOON AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TURNED OFF I NOTICED A GLOW UNDER THE PASSENGER DASH DOWN BY THE CORNER OF THE FLOORBOARD. WHEN I WENT AROUND TO LOOK TO SEE WHAT WAS GLOWING I NOTICED THERE WAS A FIRE DOWN IN THAT CORNER AND IT WAS ALREADY BIG ENOUGH THAT I COULDN'T BLOW IT OUT NO MATTER HOW HARD I BLEW. I AM THANKFUL THAT I KEEP A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN MY GARAGE AND WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY PUT IT OUT. I NORMALLY STRAP MY KIDS IN AND TURN ON A MOVIE FOR THEM WHILE I GO BACK IN THE HOUSE AND SPEND AROUND 3 TO 5 MINUTES GETTING THE KIDS WATERS, MAKING SURE THE DIAPER BAG IS STOCKED, AND BASIC STUFF LIKE THAT. HAD THAT FIRE STARTED AFTER I WALKED BACK IN THE HOUSE I AM SURE THAT I WOULD HAVE LOST MY KIDS IN A BLAZE, STRAPPED IN TO CAR SEATS, THAT DAY. IT WAS THANKSGIVING EVE. I FOUND OUT THAT THE BLOWER FAN FOR THE VENTS IS WHAT SPARKED UP AND CAUGHT FIRE. THERE ARE NO RECALLS BY FORD FOR THIS AND I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. THIS IS AN ENORMOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND I AM SHOCKED THAT IT HAS GONE IGNORED BY FORD. DOES AN ACTUAL DEATH NEED TO TAKE PLACE BEFORE THEY SET IT RIGHT? BECAUSE I DID JUST BUY IT; THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FAN. BUT THE FLOORBOARD IN THAT CORNER IS ALL BURNT UP AND AM NOW QUESTIONING WHAT MORE SERIOUS DAMAGE IS IN THAT DASH THAT I CAN'T SEE. LIKE THE AIRBAG OR OTHER ELECTRONIC WIRING THAT MAY NOW BE AT RISK.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11377415

WE DETECTED A BURNT RUBBER SMELL WHILE DRIVING ON A SURFACE STREET (WITH A/C ON). THE A/C SUDDENLY QUIT. WE PULLED OVER TO TURN SUV OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN HOPING A/C WOULD RETURN. A/C DID NOT RETURN, SMOKE BEGAN BILLOWING OUT OF A/C VENTS. STOPPED AT A GAS STATION AND TURNED OFF SUV. THE SMOKE FROM THE VENTS GOT THICKER AND LARGE FLAMES BEGAN COMING OUT UNDERNEATH THE DASH. HUSBAND RAN IN TO GAS STATION AND GOT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. FIRE KEPT RESTARTING (THE PARKING LIGHTS WERE ON THOUGH THE CAR WAS OFF). HUSBAND FINALLY HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO KEEP FIRE FROM RESTARTING. THE A/C/HEATER BLOWER THEN FELL OUT ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR-MAT BURNED TO A CRISP.

NHTSA ODI 11353351

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPEDITION. THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY WHILE ENGAGED IN PARK POSSIBLE POWER TRAIN CONSEQUENCE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HAD TO BE REPLACED AT OWNERS EXPENSE THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED IN PARK AND THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, STARTED TO WALK INSIDE A BUILDING, NOTICED THE VEHICLE ROLLING BACKWARDS ON A FLAT SURFACE STREET. THE CONTACT OPENED THE PASSENGER DOOR IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE DOOR HIT THE SIDE OF A BUILDING. HE WAS ABLE TO STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONE OTHER TIME AROUND THE 20 OF FEBRUARY 2020, BUT HE WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. NO POLICE INCIDENT REPORT WAS FILED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11315544

VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY STARTED ON FIRE. IT HAD BEEN TURNED OFF AT A RESTAURANT IN PARKING AREA. IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN ABOUT 3 MILES IN TOWN JUST BEFORE THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD LOW MILEAGE, APPROXIMATELY 50000 MILES. NO KNOW MECHANICAL OR OTHER ISSUES, SERVICED REGULARLY.

NHTSA ODI 11308933

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. ONE OF THE PASSENGERS SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISING THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED, BUT WAS NOT TOTALED OR TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT INDICATOR AND CHIME DID NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE SEAT BELT WAS NOT UTILIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MTN. VIEW FORD LINCOLN (423-458-6182, LOCATED AT 301 E 20TH ST, CHATTANOOGA, TN 37408) WHERE THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MODEL WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A SEAT BELT INDICATOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE TRANSFER CASE AND REAR AXLE WERE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000.

NHTSA ODI 11279844

2/1/2019 I WAS DRIVING UP INTERSTATE I16 AT ABOUT 1PM. WHEN MY TRUCK STARTED STALLING. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. I THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE ENGINE BAY. A COUPLE OF OTHER DRIVERS STOPPED TO TRY TO RENDER ASSISTANCE WITH SMALL FIRE EXTINGUISHERS; TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE SOON BECAME FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE ONLY THING THAT WAS OUT OF THE ORDINARY WAS I RAN OVER A PLASTIC BAG BLOWING ACROSS THE INTERSTATE, LIKE A WALMART BAG. I HAD ASSUMED THAT THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER HAD ALREADY FILED THIS REPORT BUT THEY HAVE NOT.

NHTSA ODI 11195671

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPEDITION. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION EVEN AFTER THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A PINE TREE. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT FULL ACCELERATION UNTIL IT WAS DE-POWERED MANUALLY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT THE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS HAD NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.

NHTSA ODI 10970061

MY 2016 FORD EXPEDITION EL LTD V-6 3.5L WITH 354 ODOMETER MILES PRODUCED 4 MINOR PRELUDE ENGINE SURGES WITHIN A COUPLE HOURS ON THE ROADWAYS BEFORE IT WENT FULL THROTTLE 5 TIMES WITHIN A COUPLE MINUTES. IT SUDDENLY, AND WITHOUT WARNING, RAN DOWN MY WIFE AFTER SQUISHING HER AGAINST THE GARAGE-BEDROOM WALL (WHICH WAS DESTROYED) IN REVERSE, PLACED ME IN TRAFFIC DANGER WHEN IT RACED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, PLACED A WITNESS DRIVING IN THE STREET IN DANGER AS IT BACKED UP, AND WHILE TURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY FORWARD, PLOWED HALF ITS LENGTH INTO A NEIGHBORS HOUSE, AND DESTROYED MOST OF ITS EXTERIOR AS A RESULT OF THE FORWARD AND REVERSE COLLISIONS. THE BRAKES WERE ABSOLUTELY USELESS AND COULD NOT BEGIN TO OVERPOWER THE INDIVIDUAL ENGINE FULL POWER SURGES. THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED DESPITE THE FRONTAL IMPACT EXCEEDING 15 MPH. THE FULL THROTTLE ENGINE SURGE DURATIONS APPROXIMATED 6 SECONDS EACH; AND, THE TEMPORARY RETURNS TO IDLE LASTED 2-4 SECONDS. MY WIFE IS QUITE INJURED; BUT, COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN KILLED. I WAS PLANNING A HEAD-ON LARGE OAK TREE RAMMING TO STOP THE VEHICLE ONCE-AND-FOR-ALL. OTHER PEOPLE AND FORD NEED TO BE ADVISED OF THIS POTENTIAL DEATH TRAP SITUATION. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ODI 10816224