Ford is recalling 422,613 vehicles for a windshield wiper defect. Owner notification letters go out April 13. If you're shopping for a used 2021, 2022, or 2023 Ford Expedition, you're now looking at a vehicle that most sellers haven't received that letter about yet.
That's either a reason to avoid, or a reason to negotiate hard. Which one depends on how you read the details.
What the Recall Actually Covers
Recall 26S24 covers three vehicle lines: the 2021-2023 Ford Expedition, the 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator, and the 2022-2023 Ford Super Duty (F-250 through F-600). The issue is the wiper arm splines. On affected vehicles, those splines can strip or get damaged, causing wipers to run erratically, fail to clear the windshield, or detach entirely at speed. Per NHTSA's filing, that directly reduces driver visibility and raises crash risk.
Ford blames a supplier. The fix is free: a dealer inspects the wiper arms and replaces them if needed. Owners who haven't heard can get ahead of the letter by searching their VIN at the NHTSA recall database.
One number worth keeping in mind: Ford estimates only about 3% of recalled vehicles actually have the defect. That means most 2021-2023 Expeditions are fine. But until the VIN is checked and cleared, no one knows which 3%.
Why This Creates a Brief Buying Window
Private sellers won't have the recall letter for a few more days. That means some won't know about it, and some who do may price accordingly lower to move the vehicle faster. Dealers with the affected years on their lot are already managing disclosure obligations and dealer prep time.
The structural depreciation is already significant. A 2022 Expedition had an original MSRP of $52,405 to $82,610 for higher trims. Per CarScout's market data as of early April 2026, 2022 listings are ranging from $25,999 to $67,988 with a median mileage of around 64,000 miles. You're buying in the $30-45K range for most retail examples in decent condition. That's a third to a half off new.
The recall doesn't meaningfully affect the vehicle's value after it's cleared. A replaced wiper arm isn't a frame issue. It's the kind of recall you want to see in a used car: inexpensive to remedy, quick to fix, and verifiable. The real question is whether the seller has already dealt with it.
Always confirm with the VIN before buying. Ask the dealer or private seller directly: has the recall been completed? If they don't know, that's leverage.
The Expedition's Other Known Issues
The wiper recall isn't the only thing to check. The 5th-generation Expedition (2018-present) has a consistent set of weak points that show up in owner reports and Consumer Reports reliability scores.
The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 is the engine you'll find in virtually all 2021-2023 models. It's capable and fuel-efficient for the size, but it's sensitive to maintenance history. Deferred oil changes and low-quality fuel accelerate carbon buildup on the intake valves, which the direct injection setup can't self-clean. At higher mileages, listen for timing chain rattle on cold starts. That's expensive if it's developed.
The 10-speed SelectShift automatic has a documented pattern of harsh shifts and hesitation, particularly in stop-and-go driving. This seems to vary by software calibration version. Ford has issued multiple TSBs (technical service bulletins) for it. A test drive that includes extended city driving, not just highway, will tell you more than most seller disclosures will.
The 2021 and 2022 model years also benefited from a significant interior refresh over the 2018-2020 base. The infotainment system moved to a larger SYNC 4 screen, and the dual-zone climate controls were redesigned. If you're comparing across model years, the 2021+ is a meaningfully nicer cabin.
Pricing by Year: What the Market Shows
Per CarScout's April 2026 data across 1,673 active listings for the 2021-2023 model years:
| Model Year | Active Listings | Price Range | Median Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 570 | $17,325–$53,052 | 75,850 mi |
| 2022 | 479 | $25,999–$67,988 | 64,063 mi |
| 2023 | 624 | $29,987–$75,295 | 51,262 mi |
The wide ranges within each year reflect trim variation. The base XLT and the Platinum trim are the same vehicle in very different configurations. A 2022 XLT at 70,000 miles is a different conversation than a 2022 Platinum Limited at 35,000 miles. Know which trim level you're comparing before you start talking price.
For comparison: the 2026 Ford Expedition starts at $54,755 new, per Ford's current pricing. The tariff situation has added $1,600 to $2,000 in parts costs to US-assembled vehicles like the Expedition, per KBB data. Some of that is being passed through to buyers. The case for buying a 2022 in the mid-$30Ks versus a 2026 sticker is not subtle.
What to Do Before Making an Offer
Before you commit to any 2021-2023 Expedition:
- Run the VIN at NHTSA.gov. Confirm whether recall 26S24 has been completed. If it hasn't, the dealer or seller should be doing it before sale or discounting accordingly.
- Request service records. The EcoBoost's sensitivity to oil change intervals makes history critical. No records is a meaningful risk on a vehicle in this price range.
- Test drive in city traffic specifically. The 10-speed transmission issues don't always surface at highway speeds.
- Inspect the wipers during the test drive. In rain or simulate it with washers. Erratic or intermittent wiper behavior before the recall is completed is the defect expressing itself.
If you want to track this segment as listings come down in price post-recall disclosure, CarScout monitors Expedition inventory in real time and alerts you when a specific year, trim, and price point appears in your area.
Is the Ford Expedition wiper recall covered for free? Yes. Recall 26S24 is a manufacturer safety recall. Dealers will inspect the wiper arms and replace them at no charge to the vehicle owner. There's no cost and no mileage limit. Owners should receive letters beginning April 13, 2026, or can verify immediately using their VIN at NHTSA.gov.
Which years of the Ford Expedition are affected by the 2026 wiper recall? Model years 2021, 2022, and 2023. The same recall also covers 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigators and 2022-2023 Ford Super Duty trucks (F-250 through F-600). Ford estimates about 3% of the 422,613 recalled vehicles have the actual defect.
Is the 2021-2023 Ford Expedition a good used buy despite the recalls? It depends on the service history and whether open recalls have been cleared. The 5th-gen Expedition's main risks are EcoBoost maintenance sensitivity and 10-speed transmission behavior, both checkable before purchase. On price-per-cubic-foot for a full-size body-on-frame SUV, the used Expedition competes well against the new market, especially with 2026 Expedition stickers starting above $54,000.