2023 Ford Expedition Tire Size

Q: Can I fit winter tires in a different size on my 2023 Ford Expedition?

Yes — the standard winter-tire fitment pattern is one width step narrower than OEM (e.g. 225 → 215) with the aspect ratio bumped up to preserve overall diameter. Narrower tires increase contact pressure on snow for better traction. The Compatible alternative sizes table includes any winter-friendly options that fall within ±3% OD for this vehicle.

Approved fitments

Tire size	Rim size	PCD (bolt pattern)	Offset	Load index	Speed rating
275/65R18 OEM	R18	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
275/55R20 OEM	R20	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Best by use case

Four tires, four jobs

Best all-season

BFGoodrich

All-Terrain T/A KO2

all-season touring, 50,000-mi warranty

Best budget

Michelin

Defender LTX M/S

Lowest cost per mile in this size; UTQG 800

Best quiet

Michelin

Defender LTX M/S2

71 dB cabin noise (EU label); quietest in this size

Best winter

Kelly

Edge MT

Dedicated winter; ice/snow grip

Compatible alternative sizes for 275/65R18

Sizes within the ETRTO ±3% overall-diameter safe-fit tolerance. Each row links to the size's own page.

Alternative size	%Δ OD	Category	Verdict
`255/80R16`	-0.04%	alternative	Safe
`255/75R17`	-0.05%	winter narrower	Safe
`255/70R18`	-0.06%	winter narrower	Safe
`295/65R17`	0.07%	alternative	Safe
`255/65R19`	-0.07%	plus 1	Safe

For the full list of alternatives with comfort/handling impact, see 275/65R18 upsize options. To check an arbitrary size pair, use the tire compatibility calculator.

Check a different size against this vehicle

Type any tire size below; we'll compute its overall-diameter delta against the OEM 275/65R18 and verdict using the ETRTO ±3% rule.

Common upgrade paths

Plus-1: 255/65R19; one rim size up, -0.07% OD change. Sharper steering, mild ride penalty, modest cost premium.
Plus-2: 255/60R20; two rim sizes up, -0.09% OD change. Noticeable ride penalty, higher pothole risk, meaningful tire-cost premium.

Use the plus-size calculator to evaluate any rim step against the OEM size.

How to choose tires for the 2023 ford expedition xlt-max

The 2023 Ford Expedition XLT-Max ships from the factory on 275/65R18 tires mounted on R18 wheels. 2 approved fitments are documented for this model year, allowing some flexibility between performance, comfort, and winter compounds. The Compatible alternative sizes table above lists every safe substitution within the ETRTO ±3% overall-diameter tolerance.

Tire choice on the Ford Expedition comes down to three trade-offs that matter more than brand loyalty: load index (must equal or exceed the OEM number), speed rating (must match or exceed the placard), and UTQG treadwear (higher means longer life, lower usually means stickier rubber). Owners replacing factory tires with the same compound class, for example all-season for all-season, generally see no change in ride characteristics or fuel economy. Switching categories (performance summer to all-season touring, for example) is where the trade-offs show up at the contact patch.

For 2023 Ford Expedition XLT-Max owners considering a plus-size upgrade, the safer option is a Plus-1 step (one rim size up with a 10-point aspect drop and ~10 mm of additional section width). Plus-2 is technically viable on this chassis if the alternative-sizes table lists a Plus-2 candidate within tolerance, but expect a meaningful ride-harshness penalty and a tire-cost premium of 30–60% per tire relative to the OEM fitment. For winter use the recommended pattern is one width step down (e.g. from a 235 to a 225) with the aspect ratio bumped up to preserve overall diameter; narrower tires apply higher contact pressure per square inch on snow, which translates directly into shorter braking distances. The plus-size calculator evaluates any specific rim step against this OEM size.

Before purchasing, verify the tire size on the driver-door placard of your specific 2023 Ford Expedition XLT-Max, since trim levels and option packages can shift the original fitment from what is documented here. The placard reading is the authoritative source per FMVSS 110, and dealers will reference the placard rather than aftermarket catalogs when validating warranty claims.

NHTSA-reported issues for 2023 ford expedition

2

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Top issue category: Tires (General)

Reported across: 2023 – 2023 (1 year)

What owners described

Tread or belt separation is the most common description, in 20% of these reports. Percentages are shares of the 459 reports covering every model year of the Ford Expedition that include a written account; a single report can describe more than one problem, so they do not total 100%.

Reported problem	This subject	All tire complaints	Relative
Tread or belt separation	20%	13%	1.5×
Blowout or sudden deflation	20%	20%	1.0×
Sidewall failure	17%	15%	1.1×
Cracking or dry rot	11%	9%	1.2×
Loss of control, rollover or collision	10%	8%	1.2×
Bubble or bulge in the tire	4%	6%	0.6×

Mileage at failure

133 of these reports state an odometer reading. The middle report is at 25,000 miles, with 8 in 10 falling between 3,000 and 89,000 miles.

In owners' own words

Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA about Ford Expedition. Reports are published by NHTSA as filed and are lightly cleaned here only to remove intake codes.

WHILE TRAVELING S/B AT APPROX 70 MPH ON I5 IN ORANGE COUNTY CA, RR TIRE OF 97 FORD EXPEDITION SUFFERED 360 DEGREE TREAD SEPARATION. LOSS OF CONTROL, ROLL. FRONT PASSENGER DIED. DRIVER LOST THREE FINGERS. DEFINITY DAKOTA H/T, DOT UPCU PA7 1508 (COOPER, FINDLEY PLANT). DOA 9/5/13.

NHTSA complaint 1046825 · 1997 vehicle

BOUGHT TRUCK USED,WITH PIRELLI SCORPION TIRES. THEY CRACKED 360 DEGREES, 1 INCH FROM THE RIM, INSIDE SURFACE, ON ALL 4 TIRES! THIS WAS NOTED ON A OIL CHANGE.. DEALER AGREED TO CHANGE ALL TIRES. *JS THESE TIRES (NEW) AFTER A SHORT TIME, FAILED IN A SIMILAR MANNER, AGAIN ALL 4 TIRES.

NHTSA complaint 1066283 · 2010 vehicle

CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TIRE DEFECT ISSUES PURCHASED AT A RETAIL STORE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE BELIEVED HE PURCHASED UNSAFE TIRES FROM A LOCAL RETAILER. A TECHNICIAN INFORMED HIM, THE TIRES WERE SHOWING SIGNS OF PREMATURE WEAR.

NHTSA complaint 1113353 · 1998 vehicle

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPEDITION EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN LATITUDE TOUR, SIZE: P265/60/R18 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES DISPLAYED PERFORATIONS IN THE SIDEWALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE PERFORATIONS ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES AND, AS A RESULT, THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13T006000 (TIRES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DOT NUMBER AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA complaint 1211741 · 2007 vehicle

Complaints are voluntarily submitted to the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation and are not verified by NHTSA; they represent owner-reported problems, not proven defects. Counts can be useful as a relative quality signal across comparable tires or vehicles.

Frequently asked questions

What size tires fit a 2023 Ford Expedition?

The OEM tire size for the 2023 Ford Expedition is 275/65R18 mounted on R18 wheels.. Trim levels and option packages can shift the original fitment; confirm against your specific vehicle's driver-door placard before purchase.

Can I run a different tire size on my 2023 Ford Expedition?

Plus-sizing (larger rim, lower aspect) is possible within ±3% of the OEM overall diameter per the ETRTO safe-fit standard. The Compatible alternative sizes table on this page lists every safe option for the OEM size. Always confirm with the manufacturer or a qualified tire shop before deviating from the placard.

Where can I buy tires for my 2023 Ford Expedition?

Online tire retailers in our affiliate network carry every size documented for this vehicle. Use the Shop online buttons above to compare prices across them; variance of $20–$40 per tire is common between merchants. The <a href="/tools/tire-install-cost-calculator/">install cost calculator</a> estimates the out-the-door including mount, balance, TPMS, and disposal by state.

What is the recommended tire pressure for the 2023 Ford Expedition?

The cold-inflation pressure is printed on the driver-door placard of your specific vehicle and varies by trim, tire size, and loaded vs unloaded condition. Typical OEM front and rear pressures fall between 30 and 36 psi for passenger trims and 32–40 psi for SUV/truck variants, but the placard is the authoritative source.

Can I fit winter tires in a different size on my 2023 Ford Expedition?

Yes; the standard winter-tire fitment pattern is one width step narrower than OEM (e.g. 225 → 215) with the aspect ratio bumped up to preserve overall diameter. Narrower tires increase contact pressure on snow for better traction. The Compatible alternative sizes table includes any winter-friendly options that fall within ±3% OD for this vehicle.

How often should I rotate the tires on my 2023 Ford Expedition?

Every 5,000–7,500 miles is the typical OEM recommendation for passenger vehicles. AWD vehicles and high-torque trucks benefit from the shorter interval. Documented rotation history is also a tire-warranty prerequisite; most manufacturer treadwear claims require rotation receipts at the warranty inspection.

For broader tire questions; replacement timing, UTQG, EV-specific tires, winter swaps; see the tire FAQ.

Sources for this page

Vehicle owner's manual tire & wheel placard; door-jamb placard on the Ford Expedition is the authoritative source for OEM tire size, load index, and cold-inflation pressure for your specific trim.
NHTSA SaferCar; recall lookup for the 2023 Ford Expedition.
ETRTO 2024 Standards Manual §2.3; overall-diameter math used for the alternative-size verdicts above.
Tire & Rim Association 2025 Yearbook; load-index to maximum-load reference.