FordExpedition2020Overview/ford/expedition/2020/base/

2020 Ford Expedition

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 Expedition.

Transmission Automatic (S10)

The 2020 Ford Expedition is powered by an engine requiring 6.0 quarts of 5W-30 oil and mated to an automatic S10 transmission, delivering EPA fuel economy of 17 city, 23 highway, and 19 combined mpg. Its 370 owner complaints—dominated by power train issues—alongside 16 recalls place this model year in the moderate tier of the Expedition's complaint record spanning 1991 through 2027, a far cry from the 1999 peak of 1,007 complaints but well above the 1991 low of just one. For researchers, that positions the 2020 as a year of manageable but real power train concerns rather than a catastrophic one, making it a relatively average entry in the model's long reliability arc.

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
Lug nut torque150.0 ft-lbsOEM · 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 H7 · 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 H7 · 800 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnPWMOEM · verified
Tire size275/55R20 113H; FX4 Offroad Package: 275/65R18 116TOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5; Option 1: 8.5; Option 2: 9.5; FX4 Offroad Package: 8.5 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
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
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

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, Rear: 9.75 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 150.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidMERCON® ULV Automatic Transmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity13.0
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilRear: 9.75
Engine OilSAE 5W · Synthetic
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Power Steering FluidEPS
Transfer Case FluidMERCON® LV Automatic Transmission Fluid

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.1 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 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 Flywheel Bolts59.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Driveshaft Flange to TransmissionFront: 41.0; Rear: 76.0 Do
Lug Nuts150.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts150.0 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts76.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug11.08 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug11.08 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Type12405
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 NumberH7
Standard BCI Cranking Performance800 cca
Standard BCI Group Number94R AGM VRLA battery is required.

Service checks

RPM44–73 psi Engine running. rpm
Engine Oil Pressure30.0
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 27; Rear: 30
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 184; Rear: 258
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 12.5; Rear: 12.5
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.260; Rear: 0.886
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishStamped on rotor
Variation from Parallelism Thickness VariationStamped on rotor
Maximum Rotor RunoutStamped on rotor

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
16.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 45°6 ft. lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
171.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 45°71 in
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: Loosen 360° Step 3: 18.0 ft. lbs. Step 4: 150°30 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
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
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Center Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 90° Step 3: 60°37 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°14.75 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
145°
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs. Step 2: 45°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 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 current generation of the Ford Expedition saw federal complaints spike in 2017 and peak at 455 in 2019, before dropping significantly to 214 in 2021 and 106 in 2022. The 2020 model year sits right at the apex of this generation's problem arc, recording 370 complaints—lower than 2019 but still elevated—while carrying the highest number of recalls in the entire dataset at 16. Specifically, the 2020 Expedition generated 175 power train complaints and 17 combined power train/engine complaints, alongside 7 fire complaints and 4 crash complaints, though the data does not specify the root causes for these issues. Its position at the peak of the generation's issue resolution phase means it bears the brunt of the early growing pains that were subsequently ironed out in later production years. Given the elevated complaint volume and an unprecedented 16 recalls, the 2020 Expedition is a risky purchase; opting for a stabilized 2021 or newer model is a much smarter investment.

16
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
176
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
370
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 7 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 370 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train175
Unknown Or Other33
Seat Belts17
Power Train,Engine17
Engine13
Electrical System9
Visibility8
Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 18 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V366000Seats:Mid/Rear AssemblyReported 23/06/2020

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The attachment bracket for the driver's side second-row seat headrest may not have been sufficiently welded to the seat… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace it as needed, free of charge. This recall began July 8, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer…

20V575000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraReported 23/09/2020

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021. Owner…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 176 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 547202026-04-02Electrical SystemVarious 2020-2026 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system…
25N172026-03-25Unknown Or OtherAdvance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year…
SSM 545892026-02-17Electrical SystemSome 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC3 may experience various…
25L022025-12-02Unknown Or OtherSpecial Field Action 25L02 Certain 2017-2024 Model Year California Emissions-Certified…
SSM 543662025-11-11Power TrainSome 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic…

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 2020 Expedition take?

6.0 qt of SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil, per the factory manual.

Does the 2020 Expedition have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 16 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.