Used car safety, rank #65 of 188
Ford Expedition 2WD Safety Rating (2020-23)
Real IIHS driver death rates for the 2020-23 Ford Expedition 2WD, a large SUV, compared with its class and with the current model.
IIHS 2026 edition · 2021–2024 crashes. Results apply only to the model years and drivetrain shown. Read the new release and its limits · Browse the older edition. Prices and reliability from older model years have not been carried forward.
The 2020-23 Ford Expedition 2WD has an IIHS driver death rate of 22 per million registered vehicle years against a large SUVs average of 26, which is 15% below the class average. That places it #65 of 188 used vehicles with a safety score of 63.9/100.
What the Ford Expedition death rate means
At 22 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, the Ford Expedition 2WD beats the large SUVs average of 26 by 15%. The 95% confidence interval is 0 to 54, so the upper end of the range overlaps the class average and the advantage is not certain.
The other-driver death rate of 88 measures the opposite risk: how many drivers of other vehicles died in crashes with a Ford Expedition. Its 95% confidence interval is 38–138. It is higher than the Ford Expedition's own driver death rate, the usual pattern for heavier vehicles. Remember that death rates describe vehicles and their drivers together: IIHS adjusts for driver age and gender, but not for where or how carefully people drive. Our score weights this model's own rate at 70% and its class at 30%; see how we rank used cars.
Compared with similar used SUVs
The safest large SUVs in the IIHS study, by our score, with the Ford Expedition 2WD highlighted. It ranks 4 of the 6 shown; the class leader is the Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD at a death rate of 0.
| Vehicle | Years | Death rate | Score | Reliability | Used price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD | 2022-23 | 0 (0 to 16) | 88.9 | n/a | n/a |
| Ford Expedition 4WD | 2020-23 | 12 (0 to 30) | 76.6 | n/a | n/a |
| Dodge Durango 4WD | 2020-23 | 14 (4 to 24) | 74.7 | n/a | n/a |
| Ford Expedition 2WD (this page) | 2020-23 | 22 (0 to 54) | 63.9 | n/a | n/a |
| GMC Yukon 4WD | 2022-23 | 23 (0 to 59) | 63.5 | n/a | n/a |
| Dodge Durango 2WD | 2020-23 | 83 (30 to 136) | 25.3 | n/a | n/a |
Class average for large SUVs: 26 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years.
The new Ford Expedition
Death rates lag the market by several years. For the current Ford Expedition we score IIHS crash tests instead; here is how the latest model years rate on our new-car scale.
| Model year | Model | IIHS award | New-car score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Ford Expedition | No award | 49.8 (provisional) |
New-car scores use a different scale (crash tests, not death rates) and are not directly comparable with the 63.9 used-car score above.
Safety recalls for the Ford Expedition 2WD
A recall is a defect the manufacturer must repair free of charge, however old the car and whoever owns it now. On a used car this matters more than on a new one: the work is only done if a previous owner took it in.
8 recall campaigns on the 2023 model year, covering structure, visibility, electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic, back over prevention, equipment, power train.
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Structure: interior panels, center console
Risk: Vehicle occupants may contact the center console's sharp edges, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the center consoles as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 16, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027.
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Visibility: windshield wiper/washer, linkages
Risk: Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms, as necessary, free of charge.
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Electrical system: integrated trailer brake control
Risk: Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge.
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Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: A loss of brake function increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the front brake line and replace the brake line or air cleaner outlet pipe, as necessary, free of charge.
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Back over prevention: software
Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase.
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Equipment: other, labels
Risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge.
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Equipment: other, owners/service/other manual
Risk: Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will mail the Owner's Manual addendums that describe how to adjust and remove the head restraints for the center seating positions, free of charge.
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Power train: axle assembly
Risk: A fractured pinion can result in a loss of 4-wheel drive and may cause the front wheels to lock up, increasng the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front axle pinion gear set. If there is a broken front axle pinion, the entire axle assembly will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge.
Partial lookup: At least one NHTSA model-variant request failed. The campaigns shown were returned successfully; additional campaigns may be missing. Check your VIN.
Recall campaigns from the NHTSA recalls database, retrieved 2026-09-16. A campaign covers a range of build dates, not every car of the model year, and IIHS reports this nameplate across several years while these results are for 2023. Confirm against the VIN. Recalls do not affect the death rate on this page.
Ford Expedition 2WD: Common Questions
Is the Ford Expedition 2WD a safe car?
Yes, by the measure that matters most. IIHS recorded a driver death rate of 22 per million registered vehicle years for the 2020-23 Ford Expedition 2WD, 15% below the class average (26 for large SUVs). That earns a used-car safety score of 63.9 out of 100 and rank #65 of 188 used vehicles.
What is the Ford Expedition 2WD driver death rate?
22 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, with a 95% confidence interval of 0 to 54. Drivers of other vehicles that collided with a Ford Expedition died at a rate of 88 per million. Source: IIHS driver death rates by make and model, covering 2020-23 models.
How does the Ford Expedition 2WD compare with other large SUVs?
The large SUVs class averages 26 driver deaths per million; the Ford Expedition 2WD sits at 22. Among the 6 large SUVs compared above it ranks 4 by safety score; the top of that group is the Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD with a death rate of 0.