Best and worst Ford Expedition years — which to avoid

Buying a used Ford Expedition isn’t as easy as it seems despite all the decent reliability scores that the model has achieved. Certain Ford Expedition years should be avoided due to severe issues like transmission faults and engine shutting off while driving, so we’ll help you steer clear of those.

In this guide, our team ranked the best years to buy and worst Ford Expedition years to avoid based on reports and records of some of the industry’s leading automotive safety agencies. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about the NHTSA complaints, official Ford Expedition recalls, and first-hand ownership experiences of other drivers to help you make the best possible purchase decision.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Ford Expedition years

In the making of this guide, our automotive experts relied on verified information from trusted sources including official reliability submissions filed to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, we didn’t base our search just on that as we also explored other agencies like IIHS for safety ratings of particular Ford Expedition years.

We also based our research on driver reviews and ratings for each of the ranked years via Consumer Reports, Edmunds, and KBB. We didn’t feel like we were giving you a complete picture if we didn’t go over some more of our personal driver experiences, which is why we also ventured through the Expedition forums and that’s how we formed our overall ratings which you can see below:

Most common Ford Expedition problems

Once you get to see why certain Ford Expedition years were marked as unreliable, it’s easier to make a final decision and avoid such models. Luckily, our team did it for you, so here’s our overview of the Ford Expedition most common problems that plagued the Expedition as a model by specific model years.

1. Engine and spark plug issues

The problem of ejecting spark plugs probably has the most complaints from drivers due to its alarming and frequent nature. Drivers reported that they noticed one of the spark plugs was disconnected from the head right after they heard loud popping noises coming from under the hood.

The models worst affected by this problem are the 1997 to 2007 Expeditions. The cause of the issue was traced to the threads on the cylinder heads of the affected vehicles, which were too soft or short to handle the engine’s combustion pressure. When it comes to the question of how often to change spark plugs, this issue only made things worse and required drivers to pursue more frequent changes.

There also was a common issue of the engine shutting off while driving so drivers had a lot of issues maintaining their driving safety because of it.

2. Electrical problems

Some models of the Ford Expedition have experienced electrical problems on different scales. Of worthy mention is the 2016 model year which had quite a large number of electrical faults, which were significant causes of touchscreen display issues, defective heated seats, burnt wiring, and power liftgate problems.

3. Failed Ignition coil

Several Ford Expeditions had a problem with bad ignition coil symptoms due to their excessive gaps between spark plugs. The most affected models were those of 1997 to 2011. The ignition coils, the coil boots, and the spark plugs had to be replaced for the problem to be thoroughly dealt with.

4. Failed air suspension

Some Expedition drivers report air rushing out of the canister when the vehicle’s back end starts to drop. Others complained that the car felt uncontrollable after the incident, and these complaints show signs of a failed air suspension.

To repair the issue, drivers had to replace the faulty suspension components. Experts suggest using conversion kits to convert the air suspension to a regular one. If you choose this opinion, consult a mechanic you trust before proceeding.

5. Damaged PCV Hose

The positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) hose is vital to the PCV system. It draws excess combustion gasses from the crankcase, sending them back into the engine using the intake manifold, where they get burnt instead of being released to pollute the atmosphere. A damaged PCV is a major cause of whistling noises, rough idling, vacuum leaks, and engine crankcase pressure issues. It also reduces the fuel efficiency of the Expedition.

The model years of the Expedition, which are worst hit by this issue, are those of 1997 to 2004. Drivers of the affected vehicles had to replace their PCV hoses with new ones. If you are buying any of the Expeditions from those model years, replace the PCV hose before usage to avoid taking chances with your vehicle and waiting for the problem to occur first.

6. Sticking EGR sensors

The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) sensor is responsible for detecting the movement and position of the EGR valve pintle. If the EGR sensor sticks in the closed position, it would inhibit exhaust from entering the engine. Because of this problem, the engine could emit pinging or knocking noises due to the rising temperatures. If not that, drivers commonly report idling issues that are usually caused by a bad sensor.

However, if the EGR valve sticks in the open position, it would allow too much exhaust into the engine, increasing the possibility of oil leakage into the exhaust system due to failed turbocharger seals.

The models of 1997 to 2007, 2012, and 2017 Expedition units are worst hit by this problem. Both the EGR sensor and valve should be replaced for the issue to be completely resolved.

Worst Ford Expedition years to avoid

The Ford Expedition has many outstanding models, which make it a popular choice for families. However, it would be best if you avoided some Expedition model years to enjoy the SUV without many problems. So, here’s a list of the main Ford Expedition years to avoid:

• 1997
• 1998
• 1999
• 2003
• 2016
• 2017

That leads us to the next section where we’ll further elaborate on the reliability issues that these models have faced and why you should avoid them.

First-generation Expedition (1997-1999 model years)

Though the first-generation Ford Expeditions were incredibly advanced for their time, they still had some flaws and should generally be avoided unless you are a collector of old cars.

The 1999 Expedition model was prone to having ignition coil problems as the gap between its spark plugs was excessive. Drivers also experienced a lot of stalling and rough idling. The airflow sensor also failed, and overheating was a serious problem.

Ejected spark plugs and cracked PCV hoses were also a problem for the 1999 Expedition. With all these issues, it is clear to see the inconvenience it puts drivers and their pockets into.

The 2000 Expedition was no better, and it had inherited most of the problems of its predecessor.

Second-generation Expedition (2003 model year)

The second generation of Ford Expeditions was riddled with accessory and engine problems. Its engine problems were most problematic and dangerous as some drivers experienced the Expedition’s engine shut down in the middle of the open road as soon as the check engine warning light went on. The 2003 and 2006 models are notorious for this issue.

Drivers also experienced ignition coil failures, and changing the spark plugs proved challenging. The Expedition of the second generation also had seat belt issues, malfunctioning air conditioners, and rattling dashboards which are all very inconveniencing.

Third-generation Expedition (2016-2017 model year)

Like every other Expedition of the third generation, the 2016 Expedition model was prone to MAF sensor failure, sticking spark plugs, EGR valve and sensor issues, body panel corrosion, and faulty blower motor resistors.

The 2016 Ford Expedition had most of these problems and is considered the worst in this generation. Due to these issues, this model of the Expedition had poor fuel efficiency, constant engine problems, and poor aesthetics due to the corroding aluminum body panel.

What are the best Ford Expedition years to buy?

Now that we’ve covered so many of the worst-rated Ford Expedition years, you might be wondering – what are the best Ford Expedition Years? The best Ford Expedition years are 2009, 2010, and 2020, but here’s a full list:

• 2005
• 2007
• 2008
• 2009
• 2010
• 2012
• 2013
• 2014
• 2018
• 2019
• 2020
• 2021

These models have fewer complaints and can be counted on to fulfill the promise Ford advertises for the Expedition. We’ll check out a few of those in more depth to show you why they stand for some of the best options.

2009 Ford Expedition

The 2009 Expedition model is one of the best Expedition years overall with just below 50 NHTSA complaints, making it extremely dependable. Its reliability is also showcased through the lack of some common issues for other third-gen models such as engine faults, spark plugs wearing off prematurely, or EGR valve issues.

The only few problems that this one had included body and paint issues with a bit of corrosion and some electrical difficulties. Even so, they were reported in low numbers and the positive rating overall made drivers go for this one on the used car market the most.

2020 Ford Expedition

Out of all the fourth-gen Ford Expedition models, 2020 picked up the most positive reviews. While it did face some transmission complaints, these were pretty rare and they can be attributed to chance. The overall reliability of the 2020 Expedition can be seen through a lack of complaints.

You can see through the list of 2020 Ford Expedition recalls that most of the serious issues were related to visibility and equipment, so at least that’s a good sign for the car’s vital systems like engine and transmission.

Is the Ford Expedition worth buying?

Before getting a Ford Expedition, it is essential to consider its maintenance costs. Like many of Ford’s other models, the average annual repair cost of an Expedition is relatively high when compared with other brands. In compensation, the Expedition lasts close to 250,000 miles on average, which is pretty high.

If you consider buying the Expedition to sell it after some usage, you will find it a worthy investment as it holds up to 55% of its original value after three years. With the proper maintenance, it is easy to sell a used Ford relatively faster than you would sell some other brands of the same size.

Jump into our easy-to-read car reviews and tips. Find out which Chevy Tahoe years to avoid, GMC Yukon years to avoid, and Toyota Sequoia years to avoid. We’ve got all the dirt from real car owners and have done the digging on common issues to help you buy with confidence.