If You Could Do it Over, Would You Buy It?

Going_Going_Gone said:

You misunderstood my reply. I was answering a general question, posed to owners of any 4th Gen. Expedition...Read my post again and at the bottom I show the different Ford trucks we have owned including our 2019 Expedition which was built way before Covid disrupted everything, and Ford started deleting or charging extra for features included in the Special Edition package on ours: CCD, Advanced Park Assist, HD Towing, 22" wheels, 360° cameras, Bright Roof Rack, LED Headlights, 3.73 ELSD, Second Row Heated Seats, One-Touch Rear Windows, Advanced Security System, etc.

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No, you are right. There is a big difference between 22's and other 4th gens.

First Expedition but not my first 3.5 Ford. 21 Limited Max Stealth. It's been perfect for everything I've needed it for. Had the two recalls done (windshield wiper and battery box) without an issue. I bought it for the dogs, not for me.

I'll be 5 years in my 2018 XLT next month and I have never had a bad thought about the purchase. At the time, only the Expedition fit my requirements for towing (I was "told" I couldn't buy a pickup ). I previously had a 2006 Expy Limited, and the 2018 is double the truck in most ways. I've had what I would call minor issues (cupholders falling out, mirror reprogramming, front diff "apparently" needed replacement - wasn't my request - so I question if this was just padding by the dealership). My ongoing complaints are the rear auto hatch which only opens when I don't want it to, and the seemingly fragile windshield which I'm about to replace again because of rock chips. (My 74 Torino went over 16 years with the original window - what gives?)
Anyway, there's always specific vehicles that turn out to be lemons - some of the stories are scary, but I have no reason to think that anyone outside of Toyota has a better quality story at this point.

We have no regrets on our 2018 Platinum. I like everything about it. For a vehicle this size I think it handles well especially in sport mode. Mileage is good and we have had few issues: front wheel bearing, rear hatch lifts went bad and a very irritating issue when the side monitors saw "ghosts" on hard right turns. On long trips the comfort is unbelievable and quiet. Matched with a great sound system, I could not ask for anything more. We are currently just shy of 80,000.

Our only regret: I should have went for the MAX.

My only uneasiness: 1) Two of my family with same engine have had their timing chains replaced early in my opinion - 115,000 and 90,000. 2) Ford dealers in my area were a disappointment. I finally found one after trying two others that I trust and does very good work.

Would I buy again? Honestly, not sure. My son has a 2021 Yukon Denali which is very impressive. I would have to check those out before jumping on another Ford.

My 2018 is my 3rd Expedition, that likely says it all. Despite 2 Cam phaser replacements, new water pump and thermostat, I love my truck. Just got back from a 2600 mile road trip, would not want to do it in any other vehicle.

Going_Going_Gone said:

Absolutely pleased with ours. It has been almost trouble free, outstanding fit and finish, no fluid leaks, only one major reprogramming issue--mirror fluttering, hands-free lift gate is sort of sketchy, and best thing is that our equipment package included bells and whistles no longer available even on the newest Platinums. Maybe the only other vehicle that could have made for a hard pick would have been if the new Bronco was around. Granted not even similar to the Expedition, and would have been a classic tossup between it's practical and I just want one. In other terms, a want verses a need and the want would probably have won out.

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Unplug the Hands Free liftgate. 10 minute fix, search the forum.

I bought a 2021 limited new last November. Have 37K on it with 21K of that towing a 6000 lb travel trailer. Other than the recall for the battery box fire issue and a LH front leaky shock (CCD) it's been bulletproof. It was my first new Ford product ever purchased and I have to say I'm impressed so far. Ride quality is outstanding and the interior materials are well done.

ryanpe said:

I bought a 2021 limited new last November. Have 37K on it with 21K of that towing a 6000 lb travel trailer. Other than the recall for the battery box fire issue and a LH front leaky shock (CCD) it's been bulletproof. It was my first new Ford product ever purchased and I have to say I'm impressed so far. Ride quality is outstanding and the interior materials are well done.

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Interesting, you might be one of the first CCD folks on here with a "leaky" shock. seems like 99% or more of them are the non-CCD suspensions. Guess I do need to inspect those regularly too!

What's interesting in this post and the results of the poll, is that this likely mirrors Ford's own research. It's okay build products a bit sub-par, have dealer issues, "supply chain issues", recalls galore, etc. because the customer sentiment reflects those things don't really matter, at the end of the day. IMHO, it sort demonstrates how consumers have either lost choice, or the feeling that they have any power over the manufacturers. It used to be that consumers would speak by not buying something that wasn't a good buy... Okay, off my soapbox and I know many won't agree here, yippee - constructive debate!

5280tunage said:

What's interesting in this post and the results of the poll, is that this likely mirrors Ford's own research. It's okay build products a bit sub-par, have dealer issues, "supply chain issues", recalls galore, etc. because the customer sentiment reflects those things don't really matter, at the end of the day. IMHO, it sort demonstrates how consumers have either lost choice, or the feeling that they have any power over the manufacturers. It used to be that consumers would speak by not buying something that wasn't a good buy... Okay, off my soapbox and I know many won't agree here, yippee - constructive debate!

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That is the unfortunate thing here but I think the expedition is the anomaly in the ford lineup. I think the expedition max is pretty on solid ground compared to the other 2 large options. I think if you start talking the regular expedition and all the other vehicles in the ford line up ford has issues as there ARE a LOT of other choices. Whether or not the Max is a good seller isn't going to save Ford from their blunders. If I was in the market for the smaller size large SUV I don't know that the expedition would be at the top of my list. I came from a Jeep Commander with a Hemi, it carried the people I needed to carry and towed the trailer I needed to tow but it had zero room for any stuff inside. If Jeep would have got the wagoneer out faster I would have gone that route for sure but reality is the larger size of the Max fits our current needs better than the smaller wagoneer does. I could see my self in a Wagoneer L though but not until I have a good reason to get rid of my current Max.

At the end of the day, I don't see myself buying another Ford model. I seriously looked at the maverick, it would be the ideal vehicle for my commuter but I just won't do it with the current ford issues. I will probably just buy an older jeep that I know I can easily work on myself and save a bunch of money over buying new.