My experience with a 2018 expedition

[hms18]

Hello,

I have a 2018 XLT that I bought new. I previously had a used Explorer for about a year and had no other experience with Ford cars. I only had Japanese cars before. I ran into quite a few problems, and I thought sharing them here. It's a good car in terms of the utilities, the space, and the fast engine, but it has been quite annoying in terms of its failures. As I write this, it's again with the dealer to fix new problems.

- The first problem was with the cold start rattle. I went to the dealer, and, as others have written in this forum, they replaced the VCT. I'm not sure if this would have caused damage to the engine in the long run, but I wasn't aware of the problem, although the noise was there. The dealer ignored it until I brought this up.

- Shocks were leaking before the car was one year old. They replaced four shocks when I complained about the annoying ride and noises.

- The cold start rattle returned, and they replaced the VCT.

- When I used the seat memory, it pushed my side mirrors far to the sides and kept trying to go further until I would stop the mirror manually. They replaced the motors inside the mirrors.

- Shocks went bad again, and they replaced them (about three years old).

- Once I was done with the warranty and unfortunately decided not to extend it, the car didn't take more than about a month to introduce a new noise from the front sides. The noise would increase as I accelerated. The dealer told me that the front bearings needed to be replaced, which they did, and the noise was cleared.

- I had a clicking noise in the transmission shifter. The dealer replaced some parts, and it was fixed.

- I have seen strange behavior from the 10-speed transmission. The famous Park to Drive clanking noise is always there. Every time I complain, they just reprogram the transmission, and nothing changes. The other problem is when the transmission is in the 4--6 range, it seems like it hangs and tries to switch gears back and forth and then settles. It's something that's very hard to explain, and I still hear a noise when I hit the accelerator when in 4--6. Reprogramming did nothing to fix the problem.

- A few days ago, the rear passenger side door jammed. I can't open the door.

- Check engine light is now on with the code P2240. The dealer is investigating the problem for a hefty diagnosis fee. Yet to hear from them.


In conclusion, I really want to love the car because of the space, the good A/C, and the fast engine, but it tries hard to disappoint me. I'm worried the transmission would fail altogether soon, and I'd just be spending more and more on it and leaving it with the dealer for days. Because I have never owned a Ford for a long time, I wonder if this is common and if Ford generally produces unreliable cars. I'm hesitant to buy any Ford in the future, although I still would like to exchange this for a large full-size SUV. I'm looking into GM cars, but I'm not sure if they're any better.

 

[MikeS3000]

I just traded in my 2018 Expy over the weekend with 83k miles. I too was hoping to drive the vehicle for many more years but the truck disappointed me. I spent over $5k 3 months ago to "fix" and overheating transmission when towing with a new pump for the trans cooler. Rear shocks failed and replaced and I think Front brakes were completely replaced. About a month ago the trans started slipping badly to point where I would not get in gear and the engine would just rev. I had to let off the throttle and it would slam into gear. My dealer quoted me $5k to repair the trans with a new CDF drum and something else or replace the trans for $9k. I cut my losses and traded for a new 2023 Expy max. Unfortunately the failed transmission hurt my trade-in value by $5k. My advice is to sell it now while maybe the dealer can't tell that something is wrong with the trans so you don't cost yourself more money. Your trans is going to completely fail very soon and you will regret it.

 

[dlcorbett]

Unfortunately some 18s with so much new tech were somewhat burdensome. The later yrs were better but not by much. Every new car nowadays are rushing with new tech, which brings unproven reliability on them. I dnt think any manufacturer makes a long lasting car nowadays, american, japanese or European. They build them to lease em, which means they have a 3 to 4 yr shelf life, expecting people to sell it, get a new one, while the dealer upcharges the vehicle and tries to sell you a haphazard warranty for it. Wins for the manufacturer and dealer, losses for the consumer.

 

[hms18]

I just traded in my 2018 Expy over the weekend with 83k miles. I too was hoping to drive the vehicle for many more years but the truck disappointed me. I spent over $5k 3 months ago to "fix" and overheating transmission when towing with a new pump for the trans cooler. Rear shocks failed and replaced and I think Front brakes were completely replaced. About a month ago the trans started slipping badly to point where I would not get in gear and the engine would just rev. I had to let off the throttle and it would slam into gear. My dealer quoted me $5k to repair the trans with a new CDF drum and something else or replace the trans for $9k. I cut my losses and traded for a new 2023 Expy max. Unfortunately the failed transmission hurt my trade-in value by $5k. My advice is to sell it now while maybe the dealer can't tell that something is wrong with the trans so you don't cost yourself more money. Your trans is going to completely fail very soon and you will regret it.

I'm actually thinking of selling it, but when looking up cars online, I see the prices have gone through the roof. I like the new Expys, but I'm not sure if I want to do this again. I will probably go for a Yukon or a Tahoe.
Another problem with my truck is that the ride is extremely stiff, especially on bumpy roads that are not well maintained in my area. I'm not looking for towing or doing any sports. It's a nice family car and should also give me a comfortable ride. I once tried the previous generation of Yukon, and I think it was more comfortable than my truck.

 

[MikeS3000]

From what I am reading and based on the service bulletin that Ford released in May, the 2023 vehicles may have better longevity with the transmission. The service bulletin is only for vehicles produced before Dec. '22. Just be careful with the newer Yukons and Tahoes as they share some of the transmission issues. GM and Ford co-designed the transmission. I have no idea if GM corrected their transmission issues as well.

 

[JL Cruising]

Just FYI my 22 F150 Platinum w/blackout package rides smoother and quieter than my 2018 Platinum Max. Dig the Exp but now my wife drives the truck.

 

[BIGRED03]

I would want to keep my 21 Expedition Platinum but reading what all could go wrong with it makes me pause. This currently is my 4th Expedition. I extended my lease to wait for the 2024 models hoping that the mcs and other options would return to the vehicle. No mcs no Platinum as far as I am concerned. I use the mcs whenever I drive more than a few miles. Makes me want a late 60's vw beetle so I can work on it.

 

[bmpcamry09]

A lot of the issues that several posters here having can be fixed with a quality tune. As for the cam phasers, it’s really not that big of a job. If you have a little bit of mechanical knowledge, and a decent set of tools. Make sure you’re upgrading to the most recent phase or part numbers. I took my time and did my phasers in a single Saturday.

Competitors to the expedition like the yukon and suburban family are plagued with issues as well. I feel like if you fix some of the shortcomings of the expedition with a tune and upgraded parts that you will have a more reliable experience than if you were to buy something else with the exception of maybe a Toyota sequoia.

 

[dlcorbett]

I'm actually thinking of selling it, but when looking up cars online, I see the prices have gone through the roof. I like the new Expys, but I'm not sure if I want to do this again. I will probably go for a Yukon or a Tahoe.
Another problem with my truck is that the ride is extremely stiff, especially on bumpy roads that are not well maintained in my area. I'm not looking for towing or doing any sports. It's a nice family car and should also give me a comfortable ride. I once tried the previous generation of Yukon, and I think it was more comfortable than my truck.

This is very trim dependent. My 18 also had base springs, and in some instances felt stiff. Compared to the competitors, the gms with 18in wheels felt better, but with 20in or 22in felt way worse. I made sure I went with nav to get ccd, which does eliminate the stiffness, but adds 22in wheel slap.

Now, the new gms with air springs ride a bit better. I think Ford could've dumped a bit more money for the ride when the 4th gens first came out. Hopefully they rectify that foe the my25s. Though they are based on trucks, these are family haulers first and foremost. Nissan has done alot to make the armada the best riding truck on the market(this includes the new gms) with minimal changes to the suspension, so ford has no excuses.

 

[hms18]

I agree with you on the Armada. It rides great! It's strange that even the 21+ F150s ride better than the 18 Expy. I was in my friend's XLT F150 21, and it felt much smoother on the potholes and cracked asphalt compared with my truck.

 

[dlcorbett]

The expedition is based on the old f150 (2015) and was made to ride with parameters for that time. I had an 18 armada and it did not ride as smooth as my 18 expy did. At the time, the expy was one of the smoother suvs on the market. Now, everything has either caught up or surpassed it as they have used it as a benchmark. Same as the f150 to an extent. The current frame just cannot ride any better than what is possible, atleast what ford has done with it. All the current trucks are new and they uses the raM as the benchmark and probably their suvs as well. The new f150 also has a newer version of its frame, as a result, rides near the top of its class(i actually prefer it to the ram). The my22 expys do ride smoother, but not enough to reach what the others have done. Only the sequoia rides worse now, because they went back to the solid axle.

 

[GixxerJasen]

Armada might maybe ride better, but it got beat with the ugly stick inside and out. My 2019 Expedition isn't modern anymore, but I still smile when I see it.

 

[hms18]

The expedition is based on the old f150 (2015) and was made to ride with parameters for that time. I had an 18 armada and it did not ride as smooth as my 18 expy did. At the time, the expy was one of the smoother suvs on the market. Now, everything has either caught up or surpassed it as they have used it as a benchmark. Same as the f150 to an extent. The current frame just cannot ride any better than what is possible, atleast what ford has done with it. All the current trucks are new and they uses the raM as the benchmark and probably their suvs as well. The new f150 also has a newer version of its frame, as a result, rides near the top of its class(i actually prefer it to the ram). The my22 expys do ride smoother, but not enough to reach what the others have done. Only the sequoia rides worse now, because they went back to the solid axle.

Do you mean RAM is the best ride in class? Is the 22 Expy a significant improvement over the 18?

 

[dlcorbett]

According to most journalists, the ram on airsprings is the benchmark for the class, and is considered the most comfortable as far as ride quality. I haven't driven the Silverado or new sierra denali with the adaptive suspension, or the tundra on air springs, but between the ram and f150, I think the f150 is softer on smooth roads, but more bumpy on bad roads. Compared to my nav, most instances, I prefer my nav.

As far as the my22 expy and nav, the ones I've driven all had ccd. My current my20 nav has ccd as well, my my18 expy did not. First, ccd is a huge improvement in terms of comfort over the base springs imo. Ccd doesnt have the ride stiffness that my expy had sometimes. However the base springs have way better body control unless your in sport mode. Now btw old and new, the new trucks are an improvement, mainly in the control and bump isolation department, but they feel very firm compared to what the pre refreshed trucks offer. Compared to suvs I have driven, the escalade probably was the most comfy (at high speeds), followed by the wagoneer then the expy, which to me was superior to the yukon denali sans air springs. The ride difference btw them is actually not huge, but the air springs on escy and wag does help mitigate bump stiffness that the denali without air, my nav and current nav ccasionally has.

What kills the ford suvs ride for me is the body structure. It's just not tight and too loose. It jiggles and shakes far too often, and the rear end doesn't feel tied to the rear of the frame. The front suspension will glide over something, but same bumps hit in the back more abuptly, and shakes the window panes, giving it a crashy feel. This isnt all the time, just the times when the suspension decides to takes it "break". The gm and jeep trucks do shake, but not as much, especially on smooth roads, and they don't feel crashy even when their suspension make jarring hits.

New vehicle's don't have that nice of a balance as older early 2000s vehicles have. They are all too stiff. After driving some euro sedans like the e class and 5 series bmw, I still think my truck rides superior to them on the hwy, as well as my wife's cx9.

 

[nema100]

Hello,

- Shocks were leaking before the car was one year old. They replaced four shocks when I complained about the annoying ride and noises.

- Shocks went bad again, and they replaced them (about three years old).

- Once I was done with the warranty and unfortunately decided not to extend it, the car didn't take more than about a month to introduce a new noise from the front sides. The noise would increase as I accelerated. The dealer told me that the front bearings needed to be replaced, which they did, and the noise was cleared.

- I have seen strange behavior from the 10-speed transmission. The famous Park to Drive clanking noise is always there. Every time I complain, they just reprogram the transmission, and nothing changes. The other problem is when the transmission is in the 4--6 range, it seems like it hangs and tries to switch gears back and forth and then settles. It's something that's very hard to explain, and I still hear a noise when I hit the accelerator when in 4--6. Reprogramming did nothing to fix the problem.

So, do you live on really bad roads or are heavily loaded? I'm always curious how bearings and shocks go bad before 100k.

As far as the transmission, that clunk is slop in the drivetrain... most likely u joints. I reached under and turned the driveshaft a full 1/4 turn and then it stuck. I'm bringing that up to the dealer since its under warranty, but it definitely can't be good for the transmission over the long haul to have the driveshaft bang like that. I had the same issues with a catchy gear, inevitably, lost reverse, and they rebuilt the tranny with the new drum.

 

[Mr Big]

I can't speak for the 2018 model or any other model. But my 2019 Expedition Platinum floats down the road. It is super quiet, very economical on gas, and the smoothest shifting and ride. Add to that it's like a rocket ship with power to spare, I could not be happier. Do they have quirks? YES.
My salesman told me back in 2021 all newer vehicles have become more like computers on wheels. So the more toys they have the more issues they have. He was trying to sell me an extended warranty.

 

[Hellwig]

From what I am reading and based on the service bulletin that Ford released in May, the 2023 vehicles may have better longevity with the transmission. The service bulletin is only for vehicles produced before Dec. '22. Just be careful with the newer Yukons and Tahoes as they share some of the transmission issues. GM and Ford co-designed the transmission. I have no idea if GM corrected their transmission issues as well.

GM/Chevy codesigned the tranny with Ford. But GM/Chevy put a stand-alone transmission oil cooler in front of engine radiator, which is the old school way to cool transmission by air flow. And external cooler has been proved to be pretty effective. However, Ford just uses an heat exchanger to cool transmission oil, which means your engine temperature is pretty much as same as your transmission temperature (supposed to be 170F - 190F for longevity).

 

[Mr Big]

GM/Chevy codesigned the tranny with Ford. But GM/Chevy put a stand-alone transmission oil cooler in front of engine radiator, which is the old school way to cool transmission by air flow. And external cooler has been proved to be pretty effective. However, Ford just uses an heat exchanger to cool transmission oil, which means your engine temperature is pretty much as same as your transmission temperature (supposed to be 170F - 190F for longevity).

True unless you have the heavy duty tow package, which is a plus.

 

[HILLY]

True unless you have the heavy duty tow package, which is a plus.

HD tow package still doesn't have any external radiator for the transmission. The coolant radiator is supposed to be thicker for more area/volume, but that's it aside from gearing and and xfer case (if 4x4).

Downside to the heat exchanger (HX) is that the transmission fluid will never be cooler than the coolant. So if temps run 210*, then that's the coolest it'll ever be. Quick fix is to swap out a cooler T-stat (170/180/etc.). I did an SPD 170* and that did a lot to bring temps down. Before I was running in the 210*-220* range, now with the T-stat it runs for the most part 180*-190*.

I physically installed a Mishimoto transmission cooler a while back. Still need to finish plumbing it up. Long-term plan is to bypass the HX and run coolant up front.

 

[hms18]

So, do you live on really bad roads or are heavily loaded? I'm always curious how bearings and shocks go bad before 100k.

As far as the transmission, that clunk is slop in the drivetrain... most likely u joints. I reached under and turned the driveshaft a full 1/4 turn and then it stuck. I'm bringing that up to the dealer since its under warranty, but it definitely can't be good for the transmission over the long haul to have the driveshaft bang like that. I had the same issues with a catchy gear, inevitably, lost reverse, and they rebuilt the tranny with the new drum.

I do have bad roads, but I never had so many suspension issues with any Japanese cars on the same roads. Besides leaking, even the new shocks are so harsh that I feel every bump or hole on the road up my spine. It's just not comfortable. I even replaced the rear shocks with Bilstein 5100, with NO difference (with 18 tires). It's more than just shocks. The suspension designer had no objective to make the ride comfortable on bumpy roads.