Generation history
Ford Expedition generations and next redesign.
The Ford Expedition has been through 5 generations, starting in 1997, 2003, 2007, 2018 and 2025. The gaps were 6, 4, 11, 7 years, an average of 7.0. The pace has been steady. The current generation began in 2025. On that cadence the next full redesign points to 2031 through 2033, centered on 2032. This is a projection. It comes from the model's own past redesign years, not from the manufacturer. A mid-cycle refresh usually lands in between. Public records describe the current generation this way: The fifth-generation Ford Expedition was revealed on October 3, 2024. Specifications, trims and the NHTSA safety record are on the Ford Expedition model page.
Every generation
The Ford Expedition, generation by generation.
| Generation | Code | Years | What changed |
|---|
| First generation | n/a | 1997–2003 | Known internally at Ford as the UN93, the first generation Expedition was developed under the UN93 program from 1993 to 1996, headed by chief engineer Dale Claudepierre at a cost of US$1.3 billion. |
|---|
| Second generation | n/a | 2003–2007 | The redesigned second-generation Expedition was developed under the U222 program code name from 1996 to 2002, under Ford chief vehicle engineer Steve von Foerster and chief program engineer John Krafcik from 1998 to 2002. |
|---|
| Third generation | n/a | 2007–2018 | In 2006, Ford introduced the third generation of the Expedition developed under the U324 program code name which was an updated version of the second generation Expedition, now using a new ladder frame architecture called T1, an evolution of 11th generation P221 F-150 architecture. |
|---|
| Fourth generation | n/a | 2018–2025 | The fourth-generation Expedition, known internally at Ford Motor Company as the "U553", was unveiled on February 7, 2017, at the Dallas Cowboys training facility, Ford Center in Frisco, Texas, ahead of its Chicago Auto Show debut. |
|---|
| Fifth generation | n/a | 2025–present | The fifth-generation Ford Expedition was revealed on October 3, 2024. |
|---|
The Ford Expedition spent 7.0 years per generation on average. The current one is 1 years old. Treat 2031 to 2033 as a range, not a date.
Source: Ford Expedition (Wikipedia). The estimate is our arithmetic on those start years.
Open the Ford Expedition model page for specifications, trims, safety record and answers.
In more detail
What each Ford Expedition generation changed.
First generation, 1997 to 2003
Known internally at Ford as the UN93, the first generation Expedition was developed under the UN93 program from 1993 to 1996, headed by chief engineer Dale Claudepierre at a cost of US$1.3 billion. Initial planning began in 1991 parallel to PN96 F-Series development, prior to the UN93 program fully being approved in 1993. Styling approval was completed in early 1993 under design chief Bob Aikins, with the UN93 design being frozen by September 1993, at 34 months prior to the start of production in July 1996.
Second generation, 2003 to 2007
The redesigned second-generation Expedition was developed under the U222 program code name from 1996 to 2002, under Ford chief vehicle engineer Steve von Foerster and chief program engineer John Krafcik from 1998 to 2002. Design work began in 1997, with a proposal by Tyler Blake being chosen by management and frozen for production in 1999. UN93-body mules were spotted testing in 2000, with full prototypes running from late 2000. The new Expedition was unveiled at the 2002 North American International Auto Show, in January.
Third generation, 2007 to 2018
In 2006, Ford introduced the third generation of the Expedition developed under the U324 program code name which was an updated version of the second generation Expedition, now using a new ladder frame architecture called T1, an evolution of 11th generation P221 F-150 architecture. Most of the improvements were mechanical in nature, and included a sheet metal refresh and redesigned interior with upgraded materials, as well as a new long wheelbase version, called Expedition EL in the U.S. and Expedition Max in other markets.
Fourth generation, 2018 to 2025
The fourth-generation Expedition, known internally at Ford Motor Company as the "U553", was unveiled on February 7, 2017, at the Dallas Cowboys training facility, Ford Center in Frisco, Texas, ahead of its Chicago Auto Show debut. Production of the new Expedition started on September 25, 2017. The vehicles arrived at dealerships in November 2017. The all-new Expedition features body-on-frame architecture with high-strength lightweight material construction consisting of boron steel and aluminum.
Fifth generation, 2025 to today
The fifth-generation Ford Expedition was revealed on October 3, 2024. The fifth-generation Expedition gains a significantly reworked liftgate, called the Ford Split Gate, a feature initially seen on the fifth-generation Navigator, where it is called the Lincoln Split Gate. The top half opens like a regular liftgate, while the lower half opens much like the tailgate of a pickup truck which can support a weight up to 500 lb (227 kg).
Generation notes adapted from Ford Expedition (Wikipedia).
Today's Ford Expedition
What the current generation is, and how it has held up.
Ford Expedition at a glance
- Production
- 1996–present
- Model years
- 1997–present
- Class
- Full-size SUV
- Body style
- 4-door SUV
- Layout
- Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, Front-engine, four-wheel-drive layout, Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
- Chassis
- Body-on-frame
- Predecessor
- Ford Bronco, Ford Excursion (Expedition EL/Max)
- Related models
- Lincoln Navigator
NHTSA rated the 2025 Ford Expedition overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 3 of 5 stars.
Recent recalls (5 campaigns across the latest model years)
- February 2026, Electrical System: Integrated Trailer Brake Control. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may… Consequence: 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…
- December 2025, Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Electric:Control Module. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Navigator, F-150, Expedition, Bronco, and Ranger vehicles. The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a… Consequence: An unexpected loss of power brake assist while driving can extend stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, a loss of power brake assist while ADAS features…
- July 2025, Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Electric:Control Module:Software. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Navigator, F-150, Expedition, Bronco, and Ranger vehicles. The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a… Consequence: An unexpected loss of power brake assist while driving can extend stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, a loss of power brake assist while ADAS features…
Owners filed 34 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Ford Expedition, most often about forward collision avoidance (8), electrical system (6), steering (6).