The Ford Expedition is an SUV that knows exactly what it wants to be. For almost 30 years, the Expedition has been the biggest kid on the block, offering maximum passenger space, tons of cargo space, and over 9,000 pounds of towing capacity. In terms of performance, Ford’s full-size SUV holds its own against the Chevy Suburban, Chevy Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, but how reliable is it? This guide takes a deep dive into Ford Expedition reliability ratings, the most common issues, and the best model years.
Are Ford Expeditions Reliable?
The Ford Expedition isn’t quite as reliable as the Mazda CX-9 or Ford Bronco, but it has a reputation as a dependable, rain-or-shine vehicle for families and business owners alike. Overall, we give the Expedition a reliability rating of 3 out of 5 stars, putting it smack dab in the middle of the road. If you’re looking for an SUV that feels like it has the soul of a pickup truck, the Expedition is right up your alley.
Ford Expedition Sales Figures
Sales of the Expedition have been consistently strong over the years:
- 2018: 55,000
- 2019: 85,000
- 2020: 77,000
- 2021: 80,000
- 2023: 73,000
Popularity doesn’t always go hand-in-hand with reliability, but it’s a good sign. Both the Ford Explorer and the Expedition have a large fanbase.
Average Repair Costs for Ford Expedition
On average, owning a Ford Expedition sets you back about $850 a year. This cost is based on annual figures for maintenance and repairs. Other full-size SUVs cost around $775 a year, so the Expedition is slightly higher.
That said, there are definite advantages to owning a vehicle that is made in the United States. Finding dealerships for authorized repairs under the OEM warranty is much easier, and you don’t have to worry about sourcing repair parts from Europe or overseas.
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A vehicle protection plan can help cover repairs when your factory warranty expires, especially for common issues like AC system failures or hard shifts in the transmission.
How Do Ford Expedition Reliability Ratings Change Over the Years?
In 2024, Ford launched the fifth generation of the Expedition. Every new generation means different reliability ratings as the manufacturer makes changes to core systems, vehicle parts, and the design of the body. This list looks at estimated and effective Ford Expedition reliability data from industry leaders over the past decade or so.
2024
J.D. Power rated the fifth-gen 2024 Ford Expedition with 75 out of 100 in reliability and quality. U.S. News gave this model an 8.9/10 overall, putting it near the top (#2 out of 8) for large SUVs. About 80% of owner reviews on Edmunds for the brand-new Expedition are 4.0 stars or higher.
2023
The fourth-generation Expedition’s last year wasn’t anything special, but customers reported good performance and durability:
- Reliability: 74/100
- Overall: 77/100
- Customer Reviews: 4.3-star average
The takeaway is that the 2023 Expedition is a reliable vehicle so far, but it’s anyone’s guess if it will require repairs five years from now.
2022
The 2022 Expedition scored the top spot in U.S. News’s Affordable Large SUVs category. Its overall score was a 7.5/10. Most owner reviews were positive, but 20% were 2-star ratings or below.
2021
Car and Driver gave the 2021 Ford Expedition a 7/10 overall, praising the independent rear suspension and all-wheel drive. Edmunds called its value “comparable” to other SUVs but criticized the spongy brakes.
2020
U.S. News awarded the 2020 Expedition another #1 out of 6 in the Affordable Large SUVs category, but it also pointed out some less-than-stellar signs:
- Low predicted reliability rating
- Cheap interior materials
- Steering difficulties
Some NHTSA complaints about this model mention hard shifting issues with the transmission.
2019
The 2019 Ford Expedition received a 73/100 in reliability and 8.2/10 in performance. Owners were noticeably less happy, however, and 30% of reviews are 1-star ratings. Common complaints include rear AC issues, radiator overheating problems when towing, and slipping with the 10-speed automatic transmission.
2018
The debut of the Expedition’s fourth generation wasn’t without problems, such as clunky steering and a soft brake pedal. That said, it managed to score a decent 71/100 for reliability and 81/100 overall.
2017
A third-generation Ford Expedition, the 2017 model year tied for #3 out of 6 on J.D. Power’s Best Large SUV list. It scored a 75/100 in predicted reliability. U.S. News also has the 2017 in second place for its Used SUVs with 3 Rows ($15,000-$20,000) category.
2016
Automotive review site TopSpeed highlights the 2016 Ford Expedition in its list of top 10 affordable used American SUVs. The Expedition landed in the #4 spot, and the 2016 Expedition Limited hit #2. Also on the list was the 2017 Ford Escape.
2015
The 2015 Ford Expedition was popular with U.S. News, scoring #1 out of 6 in the Affordable Large SUV category. It received a fantastic 8.7/10 overall.
What Are the Most Reliable Ford Expedition Years?
As far as NHTSA complaints go, the Ford Expedition has had a pretty good run. The majority of its model years don’t show a high volume of complaints. The most reliable year of the Ford Expedition so far is probably the popular 2016 model.
However, there are a few Expedition models or components that you need to watch out for. For example, owners of the 2015 Expedition with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine warn of sudden power loss on the highway.
The 2006 Ford Expedition is also notorious for engine shutoffs. The widespread issue requires a complete throttle body replacement.
The most expensive NHSTA complaints involve the 2004 Expedition. On average, this model experiences transmission failure at under 80,000 miles.
How Is Ford Expedition Reliability for Used Vehicles?
Overall, the Ford Expedition is a reliable vehicle. With more passenger and storage space than the Ford Explorer, the Expedition is worth a look for families.
Keep in mind that pre-owned Ford Expedition reliability depends on how well the previous owners cared for the vehicle. At autopom!, we can help you find family-friendly vehicle protection plans for new and used SUVs. Learn more about affordable VPPs for the Ford Expedition today.
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