I am going to purchase an Expedition Max 4x4 and have only owned (3) Suburbans that have all ran to over 200,000 miles. Can I expect that out of an Expedition, I read lots of issues with the 2018 but wondering if the 2019 is better?
2019 Exp Max vs Suburban
- Thread starter sanddanw
- Start date
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Why switch? If you have 3 and like them, why do you want to be sold on the expedition? Ford has some great marketing materials that highlight why an expedition is great!
Also, better in what way? which is more likely to hit 200k miles? both have the same mechanicals, so both are equally likely. The 2018's do have more first year growing pains though.
StephenPT
Well-Known Member
Somewhere in early 2019 they switched away from the plastic oil pan and drain plug and went to a cast aluminum oil pan with threaded drain plug. I'm not sure of any other changes from 2018 to 2019 as far as the design. I'm sure there were manufacturing quirks on the assembly line that got worked as as they continued to build them.
ManUpOrShutUp
Full Access Members
There isn't any appreciable difference in reliability between 2018 and 2019 models. I'll be very surprised if we see a lot of them break 200k without at least 1 major repair, but it's far too early to know that for sure.
Good intel, the selling points for me on the Expedition or the increased leg room for kids in the back seats, easier to access third row for kids, better fuel mileage. The suburbans have issues with VVT motor issues that burn oil and eventually fail as my 2009 is currently limping along with 230,000 miles but all original minus shocks, breaks, etc still working well. Sounds like Ill stick to the Suburbans as I can get a 2017 or 2018 that will run to 200,000 plus as I have done it with 2 without major issues.
Someone on here had to have been a Suburban guy that was converted and I am looking for their reasons. Looks like I will try to find a 2019 Expedition if I do go that route, Im nervous of the transmission issues at low mileage.
sliderz71
Active Member
I have a 2014 LTZ Suburban with 130k on it, and I'm making the switch to the 2022 Expedition Max Stealth Performance. I've had a 2018 regular length Expy as a rental...nice loaded Limited and it was great. I've had several GM products ('99 Silverado, '11 Buick Enclave, grew up with alot of Chevy company cars in the family.) For me, changing from the 2014 into anything newer GM-wise was a waste until they matched Ford and did the IRS in the rear...the 15-20 Suburban was just as cramped in the 3rd row as mine, with less visibility out the sides and way too much overbolstering in the console and dash to add any appreciable sense of space. I like the 5.3 in the GM, but its no rocket...and they start leaking oil and such at 120k and up. I'm tired of the GM cheapness on the doorpulls breaking, the beancounters who couldn't give you even 4 auto- up auto-down windows in a $67k truck, the hvac buttons that wear off, the douche who designed headlight bulbs that require you taking apart the inner fender and pulling the headlight out of a full size truck to change the bulbs, etc. So, I'm rolling the dice with the Ford. I've had Explorers and a Mustang currently...and generally once you hit the mid model refresh, they have turned out pretty good for me. Yes, I'm aware of the cam phasers, the unsettled ride, the leaky moonroofs, etc...but I'm hoping they have that solved now, and with newer leadership that is actually a car guy (and not the furniture dude looking to cut corners every time) that the Expy will be a solid and reliable choice for our family of 5. I did drive a 2021 Tahoe Z71 and the ride is very good...and GM has finally matched Ford with a moonroof appropriate for this class of vehicle. But between the lifter issues and other first release issues, I would stay away from the GM until at least the mid cycle refresh.
ManUpOrShutUp
Full Access Members
3rd gen Expeditions are similar in that regard. The 4th gens are just too new to have a lot of data on longterm reliability, but some of the reported problems give me serious doubts that we're going to see a lot of 200k without some major repair before then.
I have always hated the buoyant ride and sloppy steering on the Tahoes/Suburbans, so that's why I never went down that road. The Caprice vs Crown Vic was the same (I owned both). Truth be told, I'd be in a Toyota if reliability was my only concern. I just like the way Fords SUVs steer and handle. As much as I want my vehicle to last as long as possible, I don't want to hate driving it every day.
Trainmaster
Old School Member
All my life, I've bought cars, serviced them and kept them to the end, which was usually over 260,000 miles. After their aging about 15 years, I had some miserable repairs on my hands. At this stage of my life, based on the path I've seen in the industry, I'll probably be replacing cars sooner, perhaps looking at the 150,000 mark. With that goal, I think any full-priced American truck will serve you well.
sjwhiteley
Full Access Members
I like the Suburban and traded a 2009 for a 2019 Expedition. I was in the ‘trucks need a V8’ camp, but driving past a Ford dealership, nothing better to do that day, decided to test drive one. The engine felt great. Comfortable, heated seats and wheel (of course, you can get those in the Suburban/Yukon).
The major things for me we’re the lay flat cargo area (4x8), and the amount of passenger room in the rear rows. The dedicated temperature controls. I also like the look of the front end in this 4th gen.
Finally it had a deep discount on the specific vehicle. I’ve had no problems in 21k miles.
The major things for me we’re the lay flat cargo area (4x8), and the amount of passenger room in the rear rows. The dedicated temperature controls. I also like the look of the front end in this 4th gen.
Finally it had a deep discount on the specific vehicle. I’ve had no problems in 21k miles.
Gumby
Full Access Members
Big thing for me comparing the new Denali (or Suburban) to the Expy is the seat size. I felt the narrow seating set up of the front and 2nd row seats cheapened the Denali for no good reason. The expy seats felt supportive and larger....Just my $0.02
I've got nothing but good things to say about my 2019. When looking, I actually wanted a Yukon XL Denali because of the big V8 and overall look. When I went and looked at both, it was a no brainer with how much room there was in the second and third rows of the Expedition. The ecoboost in the platinum gets you an extra bit of HP (I think right at 400 total) and I run premium fuel in it. I've been very impressed with the power it produces and moves pretty good. Finally, the interior just seemed to bet set up nicer and more aesthetically pleasing to my eye than the Denalis. I really don't think you can go wrong either way, but I'm a Ford guy through and through despite giving the Denali an honest chance.
What sold me on the Expedition is the interior, especially rear third row seats seemed to be much more thought out for people, 10 speed trans, independent rear suspension, it’s built on the tried and true F150 hydro formed frame and front suspension and just about everything else in the truck as well, I got the max and can fit 4x8 sheets of anything in it with great flat gold down seats and to top it off the body is aluminum so no worries of it rusting away which is common problem for cars and trucks in New England where I live. I did like the Suburban / GMC line up but the displacement on demand engine lifters are big problems. The engine in the GM vehicles is the tried and true LS but to remove cylinder heads to replace lifters is not so much fun. The earlier GM’s especially that had the 6.2’s like the Cadillac Escalade and Denali didn’t have that system so you see them running well over 200k and usually only needing a transmission at about 125 - 150k but after 2010, all the engines have it and the Jury is still out on the 8 speeds in the 2015 - 2020 models. It is optional now as of 2021 to not have the DOD system in GM trucks and they also have the 10 speed trans same as Ford’s (joint venture but Ford got it first and did most of the Engineering / design) and independent rear so more rear seat room so time will tell what the next truck I might buy will be but Ford trucks overall are pretty good and usually easy to repair.
ManUpOrShutUp
Full Access Members
"Only" a transmission at 125-150k? lol That's a major expense unless you're doing it yourself with a junkyard transmission. Heck, it was $3,500-3,700 to drop a warrantied reman in my wife's Mazda (we opted to junk it instead). I have to imagine it's even more for a full-size SUV/truck. Early transmission failures like that is why most people avoid used Escapes, last gen Rogues and some Subies like the plague.
I don’t think there’s any car that will never break. Maybe I should have rephrased that from something different than “only” but that’s the reality of something mechanical.
The other thing that have to give Ford credit on is in case you do run into the bad luck and need a 10 speed transmission, the price is a tad over $3000 and that’s new from a dealer (check the online parts catalogue). A 3.5 Ecoboost is $3500. Not saying it’s good to have to replace these but some cars and trucks are near $10k for a trans and $20k plus for engines. Now on the other hand, the maintenance schedule on Expeditions is way to drawn out and cutting all the recommendations in half or following the severe duty service schedule is more realistic if you want it to last.
ManUpOrShutUp
Full Access Members
There's a long way between 125k and never.
I don't expect my vehicle to go forever, but I do expect 200k out of a well-maintained vehicle before it needs a major repair. 125k would mean I would need a new trans every 5-6 years. :xJettix2
Full Access Members
Newer 2015+ Suburban are hardly guaranteed to run to 200k without issues. They’ve had major issues with torque converters failing on the 8 speed automatics, cam/lifter issues on the 6.2 and 5.3 due to the AFM system (improved over the 07-14 Gen but it’s still an issue), and strange harmonic/vibration issues too. We thought we had dodged the bullet when we bought our (previous generation) 2014 Escalade and we’re still bummed out when the torque converter went at 70,000 miles. That was the final straw that convinced us to upgrade to a 2018 expedition platinum max this summer. From 30-72k miles, that Escalade required a ton of repairs. Our GM extended warranty paid out over $6k in repairs. Funny thing is our friends who had a 15 Denali XL had every major catastrophic repair possible on theirs (torque converter, body control module, lifters and cams, AC compressor failure), all pocket out of pocket (ouch!) and they still went and bought a new ‘21 Denali this summer LOL. That 14 Escalade was my 3rd lousy GM full-size truck, and will be my last.
. Funny thing is our friends who had a 15 Denali XL had every major catastrophic repair possible on theirs (torque converter, body control module, lifters and cams, AC compressor failure), all pocket out of pocket (ouch!) and they still went and bought a new ‘21 Denali this summer LOL. That 14 Escalade was my 3rd lousy GM full-size truck, and will be my last.Jettix2
Full Access Members
Ps my parents had a new 15 Escalade and used 15 Denali that both ate torque converters (8 speed) under 50k miles, and my friend has a 15 Suburban 5.3 that needed a full trans replaced at 175k.
