P0720 on FORD EXPEDITION — Output Shaft Speed Sensor Circuit

Q: "What does P0720 mean on a FORD EXPEDITION?"

"P0720 indicates: Output Shaft Speed Sensor Circuit. This is a transmission code. 5 FORD EXPEDITION owners have reported this to NHTSA."

Q: "What are the most common causes of P0720 on FORD EXPEDITION?"

"Based on 5 NHTSA reports, the most commonly cited components are: Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control, Power Train, Power Train,Lane Departure. These percentages are based on the component field in owner complaints."

Q: "Is P0720 serious on my FORD EXPEDITION?"

"Of 5 NHTSA reports for this code on FORD EXPEDITION, none involved a crash or fire. However, any diagnostic code should be evaluated by a qualified mechanic."

Q: "What should I do if my FORD EXPEDITION shows P0720?"

"1) Check for recalls on your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2) Get a professional diagnosis — a code alone doesn't identify the exact failed part. 3) Get 2-3 repair estimates to compare."

What P0720 Means on Your FORD EXPEDITION

P0720 is a diagnostic trouble code indicating: Output Shaft Speed Sensor Circuit. This code relates to the transmission system. The vehicle's computer detected a condition outside normal operating parameters and stored this code.

5 FORD EXPEDITION owners have reported this issue to NHTSA across model years 2013-2017. Most reports come from the 2014, 2017 model years.

Real FORD EXPEDITION Owner Reports

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database

"Since more than 18 months, we have the known intermittent problem described in TSB [XXX], where all of a sudden the wrench appears, speedometer drops to zero and car can't change gear anymore."

— 2013 FORD EXPEDITION owner · POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · Filed 12/28/2022

"While traveling at 40 mph the car suddenly shifted into first gear. At that time the speedometer, trip odometer, and gas mileage indicator all quit working and the service wrench appeared on the reader."

— 2014 FORD EXPEDITION owner · POWER TRAIN · Filed 03/14/2025

"As I was driving on the freeway my transmission downshifted and my rear wheels locked up and I lost control of my vehicle with all 4 of my children in the car with me! After this happened the check engine light came on and I had the code read at my local auto parts store and the error code was P0720"

— 2014 FORD EXPEDITION owner · POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · Filed 05/28/2021

"We were driving on the highway and suddenly lost all power. Vehicle downshifted so hard I thought someone had hit us. Then it was back to normal, driving fine. But now we had no speedometer and the check engine and wrench light were on."

— 2017 FORD EXPEDITION owner · POWER TRAIN,LANE DEPARTURE · Filed 12/20/2025

"The contact owns a 2017 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and then stalled. The transmission, check engine, and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle to correct the failure."

— 2017 FORD EXPEDITION owner · POWER TRAIN · Filed 04/17/2023

All reports filed by vehicle owners directly with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

📊 Complaint Trend by Model Year

1

'13

2

'14

2

'17

Common Causes on FORD EXPEDITION

Based on NHTSA complaint component analysis for this vehicle.

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 40%

POWER TRAIN 40%

POWER TRAIN,LANE DEPARTURE 20%

What To Do Next

1
Check for recalls on YOUR VIN
Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your VIN. If your vehicle is covered, repairs are free.
2
Get a proper diagnosis
A code alone doesn't tell you the exact failed part. A diagnostic at a shop ($50–$150) pinpoints the root cause before you spend money on parts.
3
Compare repair quotes
Get 2–3 quotes. Dealer vs. independent shop prices often differ 30–50% for the same repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does P0720 mean on a FORD EXPEDITION? ▾

P0720 indicates: Output Shaft Speed Sensor Circuit. This is a transmission code. 5 FORD EXPEDITION owners have reported this to NHTSA.

What are the most common causes of P0720 on FORD EXPEDITION? ▾

Based on 5 NHTSA reports, the most commonly cited components are: Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control, Power Train, Power Train,Lane Departure. These percentages are based on the component field in owner complaints.

Is P0720 serious on my FORD EXPEDITION? ▾

Of 5 NHTSA reports for this code on FORD EXPEDITION, none involved a crash or fire. However, any diagnostic code should be evaluated by a qualified mechanic.

What should I do if my FORD EXPEDITION shows P0720? ▾

1) Check for recalls on your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2) Get a professional diagnosis — a code alone doesn't identify the exact failed part. 3) Get 2-3 repair estimates to compare.

P0720 on Other Vehicles

→ All codes reported on FORD EXPEDITION