Consumer reports Expedition is trash?

[Vipersinu2]

What the heck?

https://www.motorbiscuit.com/buying-a-2018-ford-expedition-is-like-throwing-money-away/

 

[ETC13]

Have you read other articles from motor biscuit? One of the worst automotive sites I have ever seen. Consumer reports rated the Tacoma bad one year after giving it great reviews. There was zero changes between the Tacoma from the previous year when they did such.

I can't say I give them much credibility these days.

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[mwl001]

Reviews and reliability are different things. I'm not saying it's not reasonable to disagree with either at certain times, but a vehicle can be excellent to drive but also really unreliable. There's also a really bad tendency for people to try to extrapolate their experience to everyone or somehow take credit for their vehicle being reliable... it's luck of the draw most times, if you change your oil and air up your tires. I love my Expedition but I had a major issue in the first hundred miles; I do feel like most of Ford's issues are something breaks, you fix it, and it's fixed. In the past and even sometimes now, other manufacturers with issues have a poorly engineered issue that is a recurring problem for folks (some of Ford's older engines were this way as well).

 

[5280tunage]

Unfortunately in my Google newsfeeds, I'm getting almost an article a week talking about the reliability (or lack there of) of Ford and Lincoln right now. It's clear Google knows I own one, but the most recent was another consumer reports study saying to avoid the Gen4 Expedition all together due to reliability. It gave it great kudos with towing, power, but it rattled off a whole host of issues related to engine, transmission, electrical, etc. It went as far as to say that they recommend folks instead look at the suburban. Not as feature rich it mentions, but it said reliability is much better. I spent the better part of 10 months researching these things before I bought mine, and I swear I didn't see this much negative material. To me, that means that with sales way up, the vehicle reliability is demonstrating it's not that great. I too have now been in the shop 4 times in a year, with a total of close to 2.5 weeks of downtime (and the issues still aren't fixed), so yeah, i'm getting nervous to say the least.

 

[Tmg115]

The more technologically advanced these cars get the less reliable they become.

Every vehicle has their problems. Gm right now is way worse than Ford imo. I am incharge of the fleet maintenance at my job and I have nothing but problems with out 2015 and up Tahoe's. They are trash. One had an engine replaced at 20k miles. Multi transmitions replaced before 100k. 3 currently have bad injectors. Plus they are always going down for various issues. Our 2014 and older Tahoe's were bullet proof.

I have had better luck with the newer ford's but they have issues too. Just not as bad as the GM's right now. We have several 2018 explorer 3.5 ecoboosts that eat spark plugs every 30k miles or so. But it's a quick fix. Our 2020 explorers have had some issues. Awd faults but the dealer fixed them pretty quick with an updated part. I guess there is a tsb on this issue

Long story short, all cars have issues. Expect all these new ones to have more issues due to all the technology In them. These engines and transmissions are so complex now and complex does not help with reliability.

 

[Gumby]

In my experience with my 2018, they are not that far off. Although I wouldn't characterize the truck as "trash", I have had quite a few issues. I chalk it up to the first year of a new model. My 2014 Lincoln with Ecoboost has literally zero problems.

 

[2018ExpyPlatinum]

I thought the article was a little harsh. I've lost a lot of respect over the years for consumer reports. I've said it on here before, as my father used to say, doesn't matter what you buy, there are lemons. Mine must be one of the good ones, as all I've done in two years and 19,000 miles is change the oil, and align it once.

I'm losing faith in GM too. Seems they are having quality issues and don't stand behind their vehicles. Hence, why I have an Expy now. First new Ford in 30 years. My brother has a Lincoln MKZ and no issues. I agree with the above about the previous gen Tahoes. I had an 2005 Silverado, never an issue in 10 years. Wish I still had it. My brother also has a 2005 Suburban with 150K miles and he's never done a thing to it too.

I've read many posts here about issues with our Expy's and it saddens me. I think these are fantastic vehicles and I hope Ford gets their poop together. I'd hate to see all of us lose value because of a few articles. It did say, buy a 2019 or newer, so there's that.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

In my experience with my 2018, they are not that far off. Although I wouldn't characterize the truck as "trash", I have had quite a few issues. I chalk it up to the first year of a new model. My 2014 Lincoln with Ecoboost has literally zero problems.

Ford has issued six safety recalls for the 2018 Ford Expedition.

The ratings by Consumer Reports are based upon surveys of their readers who own the vehicles, not just a few opinions of the Consumer Reports’ employees.

I bought a new 2015 Ford Expedition Limited 4x4 - my first Ford. The quality and reliability has been poor - and at times, the Ford dealer service was also poor. So bad, that I’ll never buy another Ford.

 

[grumpyoleman]

There is bias in every review of one sort or another. JD Power gives the '18 Expy a score of 84 for quality and reliability while the '18 Burban only gets a score of 76.

 

[ETC13]

Agreed that unfortunately all media is so biased and swings to whoever is giving them advertising dollars, etc...

Have a 2018 myself and have had no major issues with it and have 40k+ on it. With about 10k of that towing.

Regarding the safety recalls mentioned above my 2018 doesn't fall into anyone of them so the scope of 2018 involved would be very limited or first runs.

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[Rossue]

Jeez- had a 2013 Yukon SLT that was like a Denali sans 6.2 motor. Pulled our TT good, and was very reliable over 107K when I traded for the 2019 Expy. Had some definite warts though: poor passenger foot room; harsh ride with live axle; crapo 3rd row(yanked 'em).

So hopefully the smooth sailing so far(21K in 16 months) will continue. Still debating an extended warranty, yet so far not inclined. Am changing oil 4-5K as we tow 75% of the time. Love this rig so far.

 

[Expedition Dave]

To me "reliability" is also a flexible term. It means to me "It never left me stranded." These electronic gee-gaws are going to have issues unless worked out over time. Due to the rapid desire of vehicle consumers to want to drive a giant @#$%ing I-phone, then have Google @#$%ing drive it to the best Starbucks in town, well it will have issues.

It is why I nearly daily, look at some of these "new but old fashioned, out-dated Toyotas with brick V-8s, old timey interiors, a parking brake you can wrap your hand around, and shifters that don't spin..."

Really, the only three things that are keeping me in my Ex right now are it's locker, fuel economy (and this is due to where I live, and where I need to be during disasters and the potential inability to get fuel along the way), and ability to flat tow (which I may/may not ever need).

 

[5280tunage]

To me "reliability" is also a flexible term. It means to me "It never left me stranded." These electronic gee-gaws are going to have issues unless worked out over time. Due to the rapid desire of vehicle consumers to want to drive a giant @#$%ing I-phone, then have Google @#$%ing drive it to the best Starbucks in town, well it will have issues.

It is why I nearly daily, look at some of these "new but old fashioned, out-dated Toyotas with brick V-8s, old timey interiors, a parking brake you can wrap your hand around, and shifters that don't spin..."

Really, the only three things that are keeping me in my Ex right now are it's locker, fuel economy (and this is due to where I live, and where I need to be during disasters and the potential inability to get fuel along the way), and ability to flat tow (which I may/may not ever need).

Couldn't agree more, although I would add I actually do enjoy driving this thing when there aren't issues. For me, reliability also means something else. Seeing as how I'm not fortunate enough to have 3+ cars, it's critical that my daily driver is working, and by working I don't just mean leaving me stranded, but every time it has to go sit at the dealership for a repair and I get stuck with a damn EcoSport, that detracts from reliability for me.

 

[carymccarr]

Agreed that unfortunately all media is so biased and swings to whoever is giving them advertising dollars, etc...

Have a 2018 myself and have had no major issues with it and have 40k+ on it. With about 10k of that towing.

Regarding the safety recalls mentioned above my 2018 doesn't fall into anyone of them so the scope of 2018 involved would be very limited or first runs.

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Consumer reports is a non for profit that accepts zero advertising dollars.


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[joethefordguy]

I have to agree with Expedition Dave: "reliability means ... never left me stranded." I got my first car in the mid '70's- a 1963 corvair. then i got a buick with an aluminum block V8. then i had chevys- a police sedan, a pickup truck, a vega.... don't ask. and so on.

some observations: an automotive writer with a degree in journalism is not credible. most periodicals have to sell advertising, not cars.
ALL cars have problems. if you want to know which is "best" do a comparison of cars you might buy - by model, year, features, etc.
Any set of stats for any group of cars is meaningless when you are stuck in the boonies, or trying to complete a repair of an idiotic design, or waiting repeatedly for a repair in various auto shops, or arguing with service departments.

I grew up in a chevy family; I was a chevy man until the mid 90's. then i gave up on them. they cost too much to run, and they ran far too little. I switched to Ford and I've never regretted it.

I do wish my Expedition got better gas mileage.

 

[Lou Hamilton]

One man's trash is another man's treasure.

 

[mwl001]

some observations: an automotive writer with a degree in journalism is not credible. most periodicals have to sell advertising, not cars.

+1000. With the explosion of automotive youtubers etc. I think the term automotive journalist is thrown around like those folks are Woodward & Bernstein (Watergate if that's too old of a reference). In almost every case they are given whatever information the auto maker decides to give them, are delivered a car for free or are flown around at auto maker expense to "review" vehicles. There is an implicit agreement that in order for the privilege to continue you had better not get crossways with the manufacturer. Lots of people bag on Consumer Reports (and I wish they would stop "renting" vehicles but I get why they do it) but NOBODY else is really impartial, no matter what they say. You can get lots of valuable objective information from automotive "journalists" but their opinions aren't impartial even if they are truthful. There has been some moving of the goalposts lately as if you're only being paid off if you are "sponsored/paid" by the manufacturer in actual dollars, but that's just another layer of credibility lost really.

 

[MxRacer965]

I’m blown away by how popular full size GM SUV’s are, regardless of reliability rankings/perceptions. I am just leaving Austin, TX right now and I rented a Suburban. It was a 2019 or 2020 so not the new model. It. Was. JUNK! I couldn’t find a single redeeming quality about it. It had “leather” (fake or real I dunno, it was cheap), and seemed to have a respectable amount of options (LT trim?) but it was a horrible vehicle to drive. That V8 couldn’t move the vehicle with any respectable amount of thrust. It downshifted constantly, revved, and made noise without going much faster. Braking was meh at best. Handling was garbage scow like. Space for occupants? Non-existent. In any row. How the heck did they out sell Ford with this turd?

 

[grumpyoleman]

Don't forget, reliability like "owner satisfaction" can be relative. The creaks, rattles and sputters I hear driving my 1981 Chevette may sound like music to my ears, but they would drive me banana's driving my brand new Lincoln Continental. Therefore, higher expectations will often drive lower scores or negative reviews.

For the record, I have neither a Chevette nor a Continental. These were merely illustrations.

 

[1970Maverick]

To me "reliability" is also a flexible term. It means to me "It never left me stranded." These electronic gee-gaws are going to have issues unless worked out over time. Due to the rapid desire of vehicle consumers to want to drive a giant @#$%ing I-phone, then have Google @#$%ing drive it to the best Starbucks in town, well it will have issues.

It is why I nearly daily, look at some of these "new but old fashioned, out-dated Toyotas with brick V-8s, old timey interiors, a parking brake you can wrap your hand around, and shifters that don't spin..."

Really, the only three things that are keeping me in my Ex right now are it's locker, fuel economy (and this is due to where I live, and where I need to be during disasters and the potential inability to get fuel along the way), and ability to flat tow (which I may/may not ever need).

Like everything today, if it doesn't have all the electronic most people don't want it. That goes for cars, washers, fridges, etc, etc, etc. I have all my major appliances that are 30 years old and while I have replaces a part or two, they have outlasted all the latest and most technologically advanced appliances sold in the last 15 years. I'm still waiting for a vehicle with an engine , trans (manual or auto) knobs and switches for radio & A/C and power windows.
Skip the electronics and the reliability will increase 10 times and you could actually troubleshoot problems without a computer.