2023 Ford Expedition

Other Systems

The 2023 Ford Expedition has generated 14 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “The Panoramic Sunroof spontaneous combusted traveling 75 mph on the interstate. No debris, other vehicles, or overpasses in sight. The explosion and raining glass poses a safety concern. The vehicle is currently in the shop being inspected by the manufacturer, repair shop, insurance adjusters trying to decide who is going to cover the random exploding panoramic sunroof. If government environmental can require auto start stops be put on all consumer vehicles, it seems that the regulatory safety could do something about the overhead exploding glass that is both dangerous and costly.” (NHTSA Complaint #11725469)

Electrical System

Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2023 Ford Expedition include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 10 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “The instrument panel went black while driving. Unable to see MPH, Gas, Gauges, or safety alerts, warning lamps, etc. The dealership confirmed there is no recall. This is a safety issue and should not be at the expense of the consumer.” (NHTSA Complaint #11721003)

Brakes

Brake defects affecting safety may qualify for California’s two-repair threshold under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, which applies to defects likely to cause death or serious bodily injury. The 2023 Ford Expedition has generated 6 NHTSA complaints related to braking, including ABS failures, grinding, reduced stopping power, and warning lights. Owner reports include: “Vehicle: 2023 Ford Expedition XLT Max Component: Service Brakes / Hydraulic / Brake Pedal Description of the Problem: The vehicle experiences intermittent brake slippage that occurs randomly approximately 2–3 times per month. The issue happens while decelerating between 10–20 mph. When applying the brakes to slow down, the brake pedal suddenly travels further downward, as if the brakes slip or momentarily lose pressure. This significantly reduces braking confidence and control. The condition occurs without warning and is not driver-induced. When it happens, it feels as though the brakes may fail entirely. Safety Risk: This is a serious safety concern. This vehicle is our primary family vehicle and is regularly used to transport two toddlers and an infant. When the brake slippage occurs, it is frightening and creates fear that the brakes could fail while driving, potentially causing a serious accident. I do not feel the vehicle is safe to operate under these conditions. Service History / Attempts to Repair: •The vehicle is just over one year old and covered under an extended warranty. •The vehicle has been taken to two separate Ford dealerships for diagnosis. •Both dealerships stated they cannot perform repairs unless the issue happens while a technician is driving the vehicle. •I was told I must “wait until the problem gets worse” before any repair can be made. •One dealership kept the vehicle for over one week, drove it 100+ miles, and had three technicians drive it, yet reported they could not replicate the issue. Given how frequently this occurs during normal driving, it is concerning that no corrective action has been taken despite repeated complaints. Outcome / Concern: I am concerned that I am being forced to continue driving a vehicle with a known braking issue until a failure becomes severe enough to be witnessed, placing my family and others at risk. I am submitting this complaint to formally document the issue before serious accident occurs” (NHTSA Complaint #11711084)

Speed Control

Advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) defects — including malfunctioning forward collision warnings, lane keep assist failures, and erratic automatic emergency braking — can create dangerous driving conditions. The 2023 Ford Expedition has 6 NHTSA complaints for this defect type. Owner reports include: “The contact owned a 2023 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while his wife was occupying the vehicle at the residence and attempting to park in the drive postion, the vehicle independently accelerated and crashed into the garage wall, causing damage to the garage wall, refrigerator, and storage cabinet. The brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle was in full throttle and failed to stop. No warning light was illuminated. During the failure, the contact’s wife was the only occupant inside the vehicle. In addition, the display screen went blank. The contact’s wife had not sustained an injury, and no medical attention was needed. No police report was filed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000.” (NHTSA Complaint #11705302)

Visibility

The 2023 Ford Expedition has generated 6 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2023 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the sunroof. The contact stated that a dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the sunroof needed to be replaced. The sunroof was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.” (NHTSA Complaint #11670531)

Active NHTSA Recalls — 2023 Ford Expedition

The following 6 recalls have been issued for the 2023 Ford Expedition by the NHTSA or Ford. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.

California Lemon Law — Song-Beverly Act

California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2023 Ford Expedition:

• 4+ repair attempts for the same non-safety defect without resolution
• 2+ repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury
• 30+ calendar days out of service for warranty repairs (cumulative, not consecutive)

Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Ford to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Ford must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.

What You Can Recover

If your 2023 Ford Expedition qualifies as a lemon under California law, Ford may be legally required to:

• Repurchase your vehicle — Full refund of your down payment, all monthly payments, registration fees, and incidental costs (towing, rentals), minus a mileage offset for miles driven before the first repair attempt
• Replace your vehicle — Provide a new, comparable vehicle at no cost to you
• Pay your attorney’s fees — Under § 1794(d), Ford pays all legal fees if you prevail
• Civil penalty up to 2x damages — If Ford willfully violated the Act, courts may award double the actual damages

Steps to Protect Your 2023 Ford Expedition Claim

Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.

Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Ford a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Ford dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.

Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Ford pays your fees if you win.

Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Ford a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.

2023 Ford Expedition Lemon Law Questions

How many repair attempts qualify my 2023 Ford Expedition as a lemon?

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.

Does Ford pay my attorney fees?

Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Ford is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.

Can I file a lemon law claim without an active recall?

Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.

What is the time limit to file a lemon law claim for my 2023 Ford Expedition?

California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.