Last summer, the 2017-2019 Ford Expedition landed on Consumer Reports‘ list of used vehicles to avoid, due to a few notable factors. The biggest driving factor pertains to reliability issues experienced by owners, who have reported having a number of problems with the SUV’s powertrain, rough-shifting transmissions that slip gears, loose tailgate glass, and automatic running boards that fail to deploy due to faulty motors – all of which explains why the Ford Expedition ranked dead last among its peers in terms of reliability. Now, the Ford Expedition continues to rank as a used vehicle to avoid, too.
On its latest such list of 67 different models, the Ford Expedition was once again highlighted by Consumer Reports as a used vehicle that shoppers may want to think twice about purchasing, too. Reliability issues revolving around the Expedition pertain to multiple model years as well – in fact, the big SUV hasn’t received a reliability score higher than two out of five dating back to the 2015 model year, though CR doesn’t have data for 2022 or 2024.
This list of used cars to avoid is based on data collected from Consumer Reports‘ Annual Ownership Surveys. There, CR can determine an average problem rate for a variety of vehicles from particular model years, after which it highlights the ones that have a reputation for lower-than-average reliability based on actual owner data.
Regardless, the Ford Expedition isn’t the only Blue Oval model to make this undesirable list, either. It’s been joined by a few others, including the Ford Bronco Sport, which only had a reliability score of just one out of five possible points, though it improved to two for the 2022 and 2023 model years, followed by three for the 2024 and refreshed 2025 model years. Those two were joined by the ICE 2021 Ford Escape and 2021-2023 Escape Hybrid crossovers, too, with the electrified models proving to be quite problematic for owners, in general.
Comments
That’s interesting since our 2017 EL Limited with 125K miles has been almost flawless.
Don’t jinx it, you are the few, the proud, owner of a trouble-free Ford product.
Same here. I can see the 2018+ models being on the list as they were the refresh with the “second gen” 3.5 and the problematic 10 speed transmission. The first gen 3.5 and 6R80 transmission have been recognized as far better than what came after.
With recalls out of control due to quality control issues at Ford Motor Company, all Ford vehicles, new or used should be avoided, until Failure Farley is fired.
To Cigna
I’ve owned many Fords without to many problems because there are many components that end with the final build. Just because you have problems don’t blame them on Farley. Airbags to name a few.
I never realized Ford made so much garbage!
Took a huge bath on my Expedition due to the transmission shifting from high gears to 1st gear at freeway speeds all on its own. That both over revs the engine wildly and also locks up the rear wheels which can easily lead to an accident. The recall regarding this issue failed to solve the problem. My wife then refused to drive her SUV so goodbye Expedition and $6000 in less than a year. My last straw with Ford and 40 years of ownership. Now a Toyota owner.
Good luck with Toyota (or any manufacturer), I had two recent Toyota’s that both needed new engines.
Crazy. I own two 2019 Expedition Max, a Platinum and Limited addition. I got them used and they’ve both been good to my wife and I. I believe anything mechanical will have some issues at some point. I’ve had many cars and it’s just not Ford that has issues or recalls.
My 2015 Platinum Max had zero issues in 150k miles. It was a constant bath is salt that did it in. Sold it before any major repair became a nightmare. So reliable that I bought a 2023 King Ranch ( off-lease) So far so good……..
My 3rd Expedition. 2019, 2022,2023. Electrical issues on 22. Wiring harness. Traded in for a Big Loss.
2019 Expedition Platinum, flawless with no issues at 78k miles.
Any car can have issues. We probably all had a car that lasted well beyond their expected years and another brand that crapped out way too early that was supposed to be very reliable. Looking at the big picture, the numbers, Ford has had the most recalls of any brand each of the past 3 years, and news like this with the Expedition, and others, seems to say more likely than not, you are taking a losing gamble on a Ford.
I have a 2019 Expedition Limited with 85,000–knock on wood but no problems what so ever.
I have a 2019 Expedition Limited with 85,000 mile and knock on wood–no problems what so ever.