Ford Expedition Used Buying Guide: Known Issues

• The Expedition’s most common customer complaints stem from vehicles that are around 10 years old or older.
• A wide spectrum of known issues ranges from engine trouble to a problematic infotainment system.
• Worried? Shop for a certified pre-owned Expedition or a late-model Expedition that’s still under manufacturer warranty! We also offer an extended-warranty program.
• At Banner Monroe, we don’t do lemons. All of our used Expeditions have our experienced technicians’ seal of approval.

It’s not just the 2001-2007 Expedition — rusty hoods can be an issue for a variety of Ford models. Two class-action lawsuits, both of which were eventually dismissed, accused the automaker of failing to properly deal with the problem. However, Ford did issue a technical service bulletin admitting that the bubbling or blistering on these vehicles’ aluminum hoods was due to iron contamination. The fix? Technicians are advised to blast off the corrosion and reapply the paint.

Early editions of the Expedition’s EcoBoost engine have a reputation for bad behavior, subjecting drivers to shaking, stalking, or misfiring. Some drivers say their EcoBoost engine has gone into “limp home” mode (a type of safe mode for your engine, triggered by a potentially harmful fault) in spite of seemingly normal conditions.

So what’s making select Expeditions shake and stall? The likely culprit is excess moisture in the charge air cooler (CAC). This part cools air from the turbocharger before passing it to the engine. In some 2011-2013 Expeditions equipped with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, condensation may build up in the air intake tube. The issue rears its ugly head more often during humid weather (when there’s excess moisture in the air) or highway driving (when air flow rate is slower than usual).

At any change in CAC airflow intake (e.g., when drivers step on the gas pedal), this built-up moisture can be drawn into the engine. Get enough water in the engine and it will invariably shudder, misfire, or trigger “limp home” mode. A technical service bulletin advised technicians to fix the problem by installing a revised bottom air deflector onto the CAC. Designed to decrease moisture accumulation, this part should nip the problem in the bud.

If equipped with a Triton V8 engine, 2005-2008 Expedition models feature unique spark plugs that were designed to last 100,000 miles. And while they do indeed last that long, their two-part design doesn’t do you any favors when it’s time for new ones. These spark plugs are so notorious for breaking off in the engine that Ford issued special spark plug removal instructions to curtail the problem. Because the method involves unique tools, we highly recommend leaving this maintenance up to a mechanic so equipped!

When spark plugs aren’t breaking off inside the Triton V8, they might be flying out of it. Ford’s ejecting spark plugs seem to be a result of long-term wear. Some say that either the spark plug’s threads or the surrounding cylinder head wears down to the point where the plug loses its grip. Others think these spark plugs may have been over-torqued and under-tightened on the assembly line. In any case, be on your guard against ejecting spark plugs in older SUVs. We’ve seen reports of ejecting plugs in the 2005-2008 Ford Expedition. To prevent the problem, Ford recommends using Lock-N-Stitch thread inserts to keep the spark plugs in place.

Not only is Ford’s early touchscreen infotainment interface known to freeze and crash (sometimes it won’t even come back on after you’ve restarted the engine), but it may leave you without a working windshield defroster or back-up camera. Drivers have also complained that the system won’t connect to their smartphone. Luckily for Expedition shoppers, the MyFord Touch system can only be found on the 2015 model. Beginning with the 2016 Expedition, Ford debuted the much more popular SYNC 3 interface. If your used Expedition has the MyFord touch system, we recommend upgrading to newer technology! Ask your Ford dealer for details.

Worried about a particular used Expedition? Inquire about extended warranty coverage! By adding an extended warranty to your purchase, you can protect yourself from expensive problems in the future. We also offer certified pre-owned Expeditions — used models that are in such good shape they come with special warranty coverage. And late-model SUVs may qualify for Ford’s manufacturer warranty, which is transferable to the next owner.

• Bumper-to-bumper coverage: 3 years/36,000 miles
• Powertrain coverage: 5 years/60,000 miles
• Corrosion coverage: 5 years/Unlimited mileage