Buying Guides

Ford Expedition Years To Avoid (and The Best Years)

Last updated on July 19th, 2024 at 04:25 am

Many Ford Expedition fans think, “What are the best and worst years for Ford Expedition?.” Before we get into the details about it, let us go through is brief history.

The Ford Expedition is an SUV made by Ford Motor Company. It is a full-size SUV. It came out in 1997 to replace the Ford Bronco II. It was the first four-door full-size Ford SUV to be sold.

The Ford Expedition has always been based on the generation of the Ford F-150 that was being made simultaneously, sharing some body and engine parts.

Since it came out, the Ford Expedition has been a well-liked full-size SUV. It is known for having a big, comfy cabin and a strong engine. It is also a good choice for families and companies with a fleet.

This piece will go over the best and worst years for the Ford Expedition so that people in this situation can make a decision more quickly.

12 Best And Worst Years For Ford Expedition

If you want to buy a Ford Expedition, you need to know which years were the best and worst.

This piece talks about the best years and the ones you should avoid.

By learning about the main differences between the different years of production, readers can choose the Ford Expedition that meets their wants and expectations the best.

6 Best Years for Ford Expedition

Best Years for Ford Expedition

We’ll begin with the top-tier Ford Expedition models currently on sale.

These years were selected because of their consistency and overall effectiveness. It is safe to purchase these years, but please read the following section.

YEAREdmunds’ Consumer RatingKelley Blue Book’s Consumer RatingJD Power’s Consumer Rating
20224.4/5.04.2/5.078/100
20214.4/5.04.2/5.079/100
20203.9/5.04.2/5.078/100
20193.4/5.04.2/5.080/100
20173.7/5.04.6/5.081/100
20154.2/5.04.6/5.079/100

2022

The 2022 Ford Expedition stands out because its technology and safety features have been updated, and its outside and inside have been changed.

Inside, the dashboard was changed to look like the one in the new F-150 pickup truck.

The infotainment system also got a big upgrade, with a brand new 12-inch touchscreen panel (or an available 15.5-inch touchscreen panel) and better materials used all over.

2021

There are many good things about the 2021 Ford Expedition. It was praised for being effective, easy to use, and safe. It also had a lot of new features that would be hard for customers to pass up.

The 2021 Ford Expedition had a 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 engine that made 400 hp and 480 lb-ft of power. This car’s engine was fast enough to drive around town or down the highway. When it came to how it drove and how it rode, the Expedition was better than expected.

2020

The 2020 Ford Expedition has been a big hit. Customers love it, and compared to other cars in its class, they haven’t had many problems with it. Since it is a newer model, it is perfect for people who want a high-end SUV with lots of options.

The V6 engine in the 2020 Expedition gives it great speed. Even though it was made with families in mind, it drives like a wild animal.

This car is great for long trips because the inside is big and the seats are comfortable. Also, the SUV can tow more than the other options, which is an important thing to think about.

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2019

Back in the present, the 2019 Ford Expedition is a lot like the two versions that came before it.

The SUV is full of cutting-edge technologies, like a great entertainment system and a camera system that helps drive and avoid objects.

The 2019 version is straightforward to use. The Expedition makes the most of its long length to make a big, comfortable cabin that can fit many people. Many people like it because it has a lot of storage room and can be used in different ways.

2017

The 2017 Ford Expedition is one of the best models of this renowned SUV. This model year of the Ford Expedition is highly suggested because of how well it performs, how reliable it is, and how well-equipped it is.

One of the most noticeable things about the 2017 model is its powerful 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine. For a car of its size, this engine gets great speed while still getting good gas mileage.

2015

Another great choice for shoppers is the 2015 Ford Expedition. The only real problem with it is that some people might not be able to fit it in their sheds. Most people don’t want this to happen.

The SUV meets all standards because it drives well, can pull more weight, and has a roomy cabin. It can be used in a lot of different places. This type was the first to have a V6 engine, which made it better than its predecessors.

6 Ford Expedition years to avoid

worst year Ford Expedition

The Ford Expedition had a hard time getting going. Because of various problems, many of the older models featured here are included.

Now that we’ve covered the top-performing years in detail, we can move on to the Ford Expedition years to avoid.

2006

One of the worst cars ever made is the 2006 Ford Expedition. The most complaints about broken engines and paint peeling were about the 2006 Ford Expedition. 

CarComplaints.com says that a Ford Expedition’s engine immediately turns off when the fail-safe light comes on. 

This was the most common problem with engines, and fixing it cost about $720 on average. Overall, this car’s model year wasn’t a good one.

Ford Expedition owners were often upset that their cars would stall on the highway. Several drivers have said that when they turned on their cars, they suddenly lost power. 

The problem started with the throttle body. Several drivers said that they had to replace the throttle body, put in a new sensor, and clean the throttle body on their cars. 

When they heard it would cost more money to fix their throttle bodies, these drivers were not happy.

2005

The 2005 Ford Expedition had a lot of problems. Consumers complained that the SUV’s cheap injectors caused the engine to stall, but the spark plugs broke unexpectedly.

The paint bubbled on the 2005 model just like it did on the 2006 model, besides that. People said they faced issues of leaks, which is a clear sign of bad quality control.

Even though it’s not a great example, it’s better than the other options here.

2004

If you want to buy a car, think about the 2004 Ford Expedition.

Few people had problems with the car’s engine, but many had problems with rust. Rust is a big problem because it shortens the life of a car. The construction of a car can also be broken.

The 2005 and 2006 SUV models were also said to have a problem with bubbles under the paint. Even though these things can be changed, they still make it annoying to have one.

2003

When asked to vote for the worst Ford Expedition, the 2003 model always came in last. This year is the worst in the history of the series because there were so many complaints.

The people who owned the car noticed these problems right away and let them be known. That’s why I put this type at the top of my list.

The 2003 Ford Expedition has almost every trouble you can think of. This includes the engine, the inside, the air conditioning, and the electrics.

The engine was the main source of trouble because the spark plug often blew out of the cylinder head, causing the car to sputter, freeze, and stop.

The light on the door often stayed on, and the side walls were broken. The air conditioner was broken in a big way.

2001

Two years after the 1999 model, Ford had a lot of work to do to improve their product. They did this in some ways, but they were still having trouble with the engine.

The 2001 Ford Expedition had the same problems, and they were caused by the same things. 

Unsurprisingly, the spark plugs were not placed well and often broke. The engine often didn’t work right and would click or knock. The generator on the 1999 model was also bad because it was in the wrong place.

1999

Even in 1999, the Ford Expedition had a lot of engine trouble.

You might be shocked to find out that many people who bought the same model said the spark plug kept blowing out. Reports also said that there were problems with power loss because of broken coils.

Both the power and the air conditioning had a lot of troubles. The air conditioner would have a problem. There were tales of broken gauges and cars that started themselves without a key.

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What Are Ford Expedition’s Most Common Issues?

I researched the most frequent issues people have with the Ford Expedition, and I’d like to share what I found with you.

1] Problems with Spark Plugs

From 1999 to 2003, there was a big problem with how spark plugs came out of the Ford Expedition SUV. Buyers said there were a lot of problems, but the worst one was that the spark plugs often blew up and flew out of the cylinder heads.

Several times in the writing that came before, this subject came up. The spark plugs could light up at any time, stopping the SUV quickly.

The threads on the cylinder heads are too weak, which can cause the heads to fall off while the engine is running. Because the engine works at very high temperatures, this problem comes up often.

Aftermarket cylinder heads were the only way to fix the problem. It’s not impossible, but it will cost a lot of money. This problem has been told about by 178 people and 180 owners.

2] Problem with Quaking SUVs

Soon after Ford released 2011-2013 F-150, people noticed that the engine shook, stalled, and misfired.

The problem was more obvious when it was hot or dry, and car owners’ anger went through the roof as a result.

Under standard driving conditions, the car began to shake and go into limp mode because of the EcoBoost engine. It’s easy to understand how disappointed the drivers were that the Ford Expedition didn’t do well in bad weather.

3] Corrosion Hood

Ford metal lids were more likely to rust and corrode, which made owners of Expeditions made between 2000 and 2007 unhappy.

The company was sued for not insulating the hoods well enough, even though they knew the material they picked would rust and stick together.

It was found that the metal walls used in these models were filthy, which led to the rust that was seen.

The case showed that Ford knew about the problem from 2000 to 2007 but did nothing to fix it in any of their cars.

Customers in states where rust is common were upset to find this problem in brand-new cars, and the company’s image took a big hit because of this.

4] Idle Roughly Since EGR Sensor

Most of the EGR sensor troubles that were mentioned took place between 1997 and 2007.

The sensor is a very important part of the car’s exhaust system. If something goes wrong, you might not know until the check engine light stops blinking. Another sign could be a drop in gas economy.

You can expect to pay about $100 to determine what’s wrong. If you want your SUV to run better, get better gas mileage, and last longer, you’ll have to spend a little more to fix the sensors.

5] Bubbles in the Paint

Ford Expeditions made between 2005 and 2010 were more likely to have bubbles in the paint.

Buyers said that the large number of bubbles was one of the most annoying things about the product. The SUV’s paint job was bad, and that’s the only thing that could have caused the problem.

Since many customers had the same problem, it was clear that Ford needed to fix it. It was fixed after many years. But the problem was no longer there after 2010.

If you end up buying an SUV with this problem, you may need to have the whole thing redone.

FAQs

How long is a Ford Expedition good for?

On this list of 20 vehicles, the Ford Expedition came in at number eleven with a predicted average lifespan of 244,682 miles.

What is the best engine for the Ford Expedition?

The newest and most potent engine option for the Ford Expedition is the 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost, which is the most fuel-efficient. There are 400 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque available from the 3.5-litre inline-six turbochargers.

Which Ford Expedition is the longest?

Ford’s Expedition MAX is an extra foot in length over the standard Expedition. It has a length of 221.9 inches and a wheelbase of 131.6 inches.

Are Ford Expeditions worth it?

The 2023 Ford Expedition competes well against newer, more luxurious big SUVs, but its high price and poor fuel economy hurt its case. The big Ford is still a great option for towing and passenger transportation.

Are Ford Expeditions expensive to repair?

Yes, Ford Expeditions are expensive SUVs for repairs and maintenance. For the first ten years of ownership, a Ford Expedition is expected to cost between $1,864 and $9,443 in maintenance and repairs. Ford Expeditions have an annual maintenance cost of $861.

Conclusion

Though older models of the Ford Expedition had various issues, newer Models are doing great. They are reliable with a great engine and have a lot of comfort. The Ford Expedition is an incredible three-row SUV. That much is certain. Based on the articles above, it appears that the majority of problems experienced by this SUV occurred before 2010.

Ford did make significant progress, which I have not witnessed in other automakers over the years. Since the 2020 version is miles ahead of the competition, I suggest you purchase it if you are considering previous models of Ford Expedition.

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