2027 Expedition - physical buttons?

[bryan8252]

I attached a link to an article from January where Ford CEO Farley said: "I believe there is a natural law where we will figure out this balance between what goes on a screen and what is a button. I think natural law for fan speed and volume is…you need both. For a turn signal you need both, you need a mechanical system that maybe underneath is an electronic system but it’s actually human oriented. So I believe we’re sorting this out. We don’t have the answer to your question. But we will make enough mistakes to figure it out."

Is there any reason to believe that the 2027 Expys will incorporate some additional buttons? I searched the order guide for "button" and only came back with a reference to a FOB button and a remote button. This is the first order guide I have ever seen so I don't know if the addition of buttons for heating and cooling would even show up in the guide.

Or do you think this will be something that shows up in the 2028 models?

https://fordauthority.com/2026/01/ford-ceo-jim-farley-says-physical-buttons-still-being-figured-out/

 

[JBdoingJBstuff]

No changes to the interface for 2027 from what I can tell.

 

[slow3v]

TBH the interface on the 25+ isn't bad. We just moved from an 18 and it's been a breeze, zero complaints from myself or wife (it's the car she drives). We're AUTO HVAC people so that doesn't get fiddled with much, she usually sticks to FM Radio or CarPlay + Apple Music if the kids request something, etc. The heated seats/wheel are the only thing I wish were physical, but it's definitely not a deal breaker. I use the button 2x during a trip if needed - once to turn it on, and once more if I want it off.

What I am shocked about is how intuitive the D-Pads are on the steering wheel. Once you have it memorized (3-4 times driving it tops), you don't even need to guess.

Totally off topic, the only thing I wished I could do with this vehicle is have two widgets on the big display instead of one. There is room.

 

[bryan8252]

No changes to the interface for 2027 from what I can tell.

Disappointing.

 

[bryan8252]

TBH the interface on the 25+ isn't bad. We just moved from an 18 and it's been a breeze, zero complaints from myself or wife (it's the car she drives). We're AUTO HVAC people so that doesn't get fiddled with much, she usually sticks to FM Radio or CarPlay + Apple Music if the kids request something, etc. The heated seats/wheel are the only thing I wish were physical, but it's definitely not a deal breaker. I use the button 2x during a trip if needed - once to turn it on, and once more if I want it off.

What I am shocked about is how intuitive the D-Pads are on the steering wheel. Once you have it memorized (3-4 times driving it tops), you don't even need to guess.

Totally off topic, the only thing I wished I could do with this vehicle is have two widgets on the big display instead of one. There is room.

What happens when the screen freezes or goes blank (for whatever reason)? Is there a way to control the heat/AC? From my understanding, there is not.

Now what happens if that occurs when I am travelling during winter and temps are below zero? Or during a Texas summer and now there is no AC? Sure, you could layer up like Ralphie in A Christmas Story, or roll down the windows. But how are you going to defrost the windshield to see out while driving?

These aren't jabs at you slow3v, nor do I expect you to have answers. I would love someone from Ford to do an AMA on Reddit or some other platform.

Honestly, with the way regulatory agencies try to control everything, I am shocked that auto makers are allowed to see a vehicle where heat, AC, and most other controls are only accessible through a touchscreen/touch pad. I'm not going to add links here to stories of the screen locking up or blacking out, but I have read a few. Is that the extent of it? Just a few? I don't know if it is only a few or a few dozen. Doesn't matter to me. The fact that it has happened is enough to keep me from buying any vehicle without certain physical buttons.

And it is a shame, because other than that, I could live with some of the other unusual interior designs because I loooooooooove the way the Expedition looks and its size.

 

[aggiegrad05]

What happens when the screen freezes or goes blank (for whatever reason)? Is there a way to control the heat/AC? From my understanding, there is not.

Now what happens if that occurs when I am travelling during winter and temps are below zero? Or during a Texas summer and now there is no AC? Sure, you could layer up like Ralphie in A Christmas Story, or roll down the windows. But how are you going to defrost the windshield to see out while driving?

These aren't jabs at you slow3v, nor do I expect you to have answers. I would love someone from Ford to do an AMA on Reddit or some other platform.

Honestly, with the way regulatory agencies try to control everything, I am shocked that auto makers are allowed to see a vehicle where heat, AC, and most other controls are only accessible through a touchscreen/touch pad. I'm not going to add links here to stories of the screen locking up or blacking out, but I have read a few. Is that the extent of it? Just a few? I don't know if it is only a few or a few dozen. Doesn't matter to me. The fact that it has happened is enough to keep me from buying any vehicle without certain physical buttons.

And it is a shame, because other than that, I could live with some of the other unusual interior designs because I loooooooooove the way the Expedition looks and its size.

In an extreme edge case like that (I would be willing to bet you would never experience such a thing), you could probably use voice commands to control the climate control until you got it in for service. Like @slow3v I am an AUTO person so I never touch the climate control (and in my Tremor the seat heat/cool is also auto) so, honestly, I am glad those buttons are gone and no longer taking real estate on the dash.

I 100% agree a button is better than voice as a backup, but again, this is for an extremely edge case failure.

(Thank goodness the vents are still manual and not controlled thru the interface like in the Navi!)

 

[SENC]

I'd much prefer buttons, too, but at least they gave us a quick and easy way to reboot the screens should they freeze up.

 

[iaazan]

I'd much prefer buttons, too, but at least they gave us a quick and easy way to reboot the screens should they freeze up.

What's the trick to reboot? I had the screen go out on me during a long road trip across the Great Plains. It came back after about 4 hours and stopping for fuel. However, I remember that I still had climate controls, so they must be part of different software systems.

 

[Rob6805]

For sure no changes to MY27. But, MY28 will be an MCA (mid cycle action) and hopefully there will be some changes then.

 

[SENC]

What's the trick to reboot? I had the screen go out on me during a long road trip across the Great Plains. It came back after about 4 hours and stopping for fuel. However, I remember that I still had climate controls, so they must be part of different software systems.

Press the volume knob 5 times.

 

[dlcorbett]

For sure no changes to MY27. But, MY28 will be an MCA (mid cycle action) and hopefully there will be some changes then.

Not a lot of changes according to the order guide, but they are bringing back the wireless phone charger, lol.

I stopped trusting ford in terms of their timelines. I remember seeing that a mcr for the expy was supposed to happen for my28, but with all the changes they've made to their proposed electrification plan, I feel more certain we won't see the mid cycle refresh until my29. But I do plan on replacing my navigator with an erev expy when they drop though.

 

[Rob6805]

Not a lot of changes according to the order guide, but they are bringing back the wireless phone charger, lol.

I stopped trusting ford in terms of their timelines. I remember seeing that a mcr for the expy was supposed to happen for my28, but with all the changes they've made to their proposed electrification plan, I feel more certain we won't see the mid cycle refresh until my29. But I do plan on replacing my navigator with an erev expy when they drop though.

The changes for MY27 are minor and are just mixing up the option/package choices.
A MCA will bring a "refresh" which means updated front and rear fascia, headlights, taillights, and hopefully interior changes. I am hoping changes to Ford Digital Experience where it will allow for more customizable display where the user can pick from different cluster configurations like a round speedo and tach. I hate the current config.. It's possible it won't come until MY29, but I hope it's MY28.

 

[Danm355]

What's the trick to reboot? I had the screen go out on me during a long road trip across the Great Plains. It came back after about 4 hours and stopping for fuel. However, I remember that I still had climate controls, so they must be part of different software systems.

I had the screen go blank on my 2022 Expedition and I pulled over and shut off the engine and opened the door and closed it and started it up and the screen was back. That only happened once.

 

[Pinetop]

I attached a link to an article from January where Ford CEO Farley said: "I believe there is a natural law where we will figure out this balance between what goes on a screen and what is a button. I think natural law for fan speed and volume is…you need both. For a turn signal you need both, you need a mechanical system that maybe underneath is an electronic system but it’s actually human oriented. So I believe we’re sorting this out. We don’t have the answer to your question. But we will make enough mistakes to figure it out."

Is there any reason to believe that the 2027 Expys will incorporate some additional buttons? I searched the order guide for "button" and only came back with a reference to a FOB button and a remote button. This is the first order guide I have ever seen so I don't know if the addition of buttons for heating and cooling would even show up in the guide.

Or do you think this will be something that shows up in the 2028 models?

https://fordauthority.com/2026/01/ford-ceo-jim-farley-says-physical-buttons-still-being-figured-out/

Brian, thanks for posting, as this explains a lot! That is a CEO that should not be in the auto business. What a clueless statement start to end. Since he apparently doesn't drive, maybe should ask his driver for some input. "for a turn signal you need both"?