Why Your 2020 Ford Expedition Feels Squirrely and How to Fix It

How to Fix Wandering

If your 2020 Ford Expedition feels bouncy, squirrely, or wanders on the road, you're not alone. This unsettling sensation can make driving feel unsafe and unpredictable. Based on real owner experiences, the root cause is often related to the vehicle's suspension and steering components, with wheel hubs being a primary suspect. As one owner shared about a friend's experience: "Another had to do wheel hubs at around 90k miles which isn't crazy for a heavy SUV anyhow." This guide will walk you through the symptoms, diagnosis, and repair based on what actual Expedition owners have reported.

Symptoms

Owners describe the "wandering" issue in a few distinct ways. The most common description is a "squirrely" feeling, where the truck doesn't track straight and requires constant, small steering corrections to stay in your lane. It feels unstable, especially at highway speeds or on roads with minor grooves.

This sensation is often accompanied by a "bouncy" ride quality. The suspension doesn't feel settled, and the vehicle may oscillate or float over bumps instead of absorbing them cleanly. This combination of poor tracking and a lack of damping control is what makes the driving experience so disconcerting.

In some cases, owners have linked this wandering behavior to other simultaneous issues, like warning lights or electrical gremlins. One owner pointed to a potential connection with a "drive control fault" message, asking others, "Here's the issue I'm having - is yours similar?" While not every wandering issue comes with a dashboard light, it underscores that the problem can be part of a broader system fault in these complex vehicles.

Most Likely Cause

The most likely cause of a wandering 2020 Ford Expedition, based on owner reports, is worn front wheel hub assemblies. The wheel hub is a critical component that houses the wheel bearing and connects the wheel to the suspension and steering knuckle. When the bearing inside the hub assembly wears out, it creates excessive play or looseness.

This looseness allows the wheel to move slightly in and out or side-to-side. That tiny amount of movement translates directly to the steering feel, causing the vague, imprecise, and wandering sensation you experience. The hub is a wear item, especially on a heavy, full-size SUV like the Expedition. As one owner noted, needing hubs at higher mileage "isn't crazy for a heavy SUV anyhow," confirming it's a known failure point under significant load.

How to Diagnose

Diagnosing a bad wheel hub requires a systematic approach. You'll need a few basic tools: a floor jack, jack stands, a lug wrench, and a helper.

First, perform a driving test. Note if the wandering feeling changes with speed or when turning in one direction versus the other. Sometimes a bad bearing will produce a growling or humming noise that increases with speed. Next, safely lift the front of the truck and support it with jack stands. Remove the front wheels.

With the wheel off, grip the hub assembly itself and try to rock it top-to-bottom and side-to-side. Any noticeable movement or clicking indicates excessive bearing play. While the wheel is off, also spin the hub by hand. It should rotate smoothly and quietly. A rough, grinding, or gritty feeling is a clear sign of bearing failure. Have your helper gently apply the brakes while you spin the hub; if the roughness disappears, the issue could be with the brake rotor instead.

Finally, while the vehicle is still safely lifted, grab the tie rod ends and shake them to check for steering linkage play. Although the hub is the prime suspect, worn tie rods or ball joints can also contribute to a wandering feel and should be ruled out during your inspection.

Step-by-Step Fix

Replacing a front wheel hub assembly is a serious but manageable DIY job for those with mechanical experience and the right tools. If you are not comfortable, this is a repair best left to a professional.

1. Safety First: Park on a level surface, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels. Loosen the lug nuts on the affected wheel slightly before lifting the vehicle.

2. Lift and Secure: Use a floor jack to lift the front corner of the truck. Place a jack stand under a proper frame point for safety. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.

3. Remove the Wheel: Fully remove the loosened lug nuts and take the wheel off.

4. Remove the Brake Caliper and Rotor: Unbolt the two caliper mounting bolts (usually a large Torx or socket head). Hang the caliper from the suspension with a bungee cord or wire—do not let it hang by the brake hose. Slide the brake rotor off the hub.

5. Disconnect the ABS Sensor: Locate the electrical connector for the wheel speed sensor (ABS sensor) mounted on the back of the hub. Carefully unclip and disconnect it.

6. Remove the Hub Assembly: The hub is held on by three or four large bolts from the backside of the steering knuckle. You will need to turn the steering wheel for access. Remove these bolts. The hub may be rusted in place; a few taps with a rubber mallet can help free it.

7. Install the New Hub: Clean the mating surface on the steering knuckle. Position the new hub assembly and hand-start the new bolts. Torque them to the manufacturer's specification, which is typically between 85-110 ft-lbs. Reconnect the ABS sensor.

8. Reassemble: Slide the brake rotor back on. Remount the brake caliper and torque its bolts to spec. Install the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts.

9. Lower and Torque: Lower the vehicle to the ground. In a star pattern, torque the lug nuts to the proper specification (typically 150 ft-lbs for the Expedition).

10. Test Drive: Take a short, careful test drive to ensure the wandering sensation is gone and that there are no new noises. A professional alignment is highly recommended after this repair, as disturbing the hub can affect toe settings.

Parts and Tools Needed

• Part: Front Wheel Hub & Bearing Assembly. Ensure it includes the ABS sensor. A common quality brand is Motorcraft (Ford's OEM parts brand). A part number example is Motorcraft MCS100072 (confirm this fits your specific trim).
• Tools: Floor jack, (2) Jack stands, Lug wrench/socket, Torque wrench, Socket set (including large sizes for hub bolts, often 18mm or 21mm), Torx bit set (for caliper bolts, commonly T55), Rubber mallet, Wire or bungee cord, Brake cleaner, Anti-seize compound.

Real Owner Costs

The cost to fix a wandering Expedition varies greatly between DIY and professional repair.

• DIY Cost: The part is the primary expense. A quality front hub assembly costs between $150 to $300. With the basic tools listed, your total cost stays in this range. As one owner indicated, this is a predictable maintenance item on a heavy vehicle after significant mileage.

• Professional Repair Cost: At a shop, you pay for parts and labor. Labor for one front hub replacement typically takes 1.5-2 hours. At a rate of $120-$150/hour, plus the marked-up part cost, expect a total bill between $450 and $700 for one side. If both sides are done, the cost can approach $900-$1,300. These costs align with the "wheel hubs" being a noted repair item by owners at higher mileages.

Prevention

Preventing premature hub failure is mostly about awareness and avoiding abuse. There is no scheduled maintenance for wheel bearings, but you can extend their life. Avoid impacting curbs or deep potholes at speed, as sharp impacts can damage bearings. When driving through deep water or mud, the bearings can become contaminated; rinsing the undercarriage afterward can help. Most importantly, pay attention to early signs like new noises or a slight change in steering feel and address them promptly before complete failure causes a safety hazard or more expensive damage.

What Owners Say

Real experiences from FORD owners:

Owner Experiences

"I had a GMRS radio in my 2020 Tacoma but I can’t remember what brand it was. I plan on putting the same in my 2022 Tacoma." — Artistic_Cabinet8759 (source)

"I plan on putting the same in my 2022 Tacoma. Mounted the mic to an Expedition Essentials Mounting System." — Artistic_Cabinet8759 (source)

"Idk what year the expedition is but for the most part, everyone I know who has one (only 3 people but still) loves it. One guy bought a 2020 and has put 100k miles on it and only done fluid, brakes, and tires to this point." — dgroeneveld9 (source)

Pro Tips from Owners

💡 "You should always be respectful to a local communities when out in the wild. We drive far enough for trails and don't want to have to drive even further just because of stupidity, inconsideration, and just lack of respect that some may cause." — tacoma16 (source)

FAQ

Q: How long does it take to fix a wandering Expedition caused by a bad hub? A: For an experienced DIYer with all tools ready, replacing one front hub assembly takes about 2-3 hours from start to finish, including jacking up the vehicle and cleanup. A professional mechanic can typically complete the job in 1.5-2 hours of billed labor.

Q: Can I drive my Expedition if it's wandering? A: It is not recommended. A wandering feel indicates a lack of precise control, which is a safety risk, especially at highway speeds. Furthermore, if the cause is a failing wheel bearing, it can seize completely, causing the wheel to lock up or separate from the vehicle, leading to a catastrophic accident. Drive only as far as necessary to get it to a repair facility.

Q: Is wandering a common issue on the 2020 Expedition? A: Based on owner discussions, it is a known wear-and-tear item, particularly as the vehicle accumulates high mileage. One owner's anecdote supports this: "Another had to do wheel hubs at around 90k miles." It's not a universal defect, but a predictable maintenance point for a heavy-duty SUV subjected to normal road stresses.

Q: DIY vs mechanic - what's recommended for hub replacement? A: This is a mid-level DIY job. If you are confident in safely lifting your vehicle, using a torque wrench, and have the necessary socket sizes, you can save significant money. However, the bolts are often extremely tight and rusted, requiring significant force. If you lack tools, strength, or confidence, hiring a professional is the wise choice. They will also typically perform a post-repair alignment, which is crucial.

Q: Could the "drive control fault" message be related to my wandering issue? A: Potentially, yes. The wheel hub assembly contains the wheel speed sensor for the ABS and stability control systems. A faulty sensor or damaged wiring from a failing hub can send incorrect data to the vehicle's computer, potentially triggering fault messages related to traction or drive control, as one owner's linked issue suggested.

Q: Do I need an alignment after replacing a hub? A: Yes, it is highly recommended. While replacing the hub itself doesn't directly change alignment angles, the process of removing and installing it can slightly disturb the steering knuckle's position. A professional alignment ensures your tires wear evenly and the truck drives straight, fully resolving the wandering complaint.