Gen 3.5 owners.... any regrets

[Aces]

Hey everyone,

This is for the gen 3.5 ecoboost owners, who may have come from the v8 side.

I currently have a 2011 with the anemic yet thirsty 5.4. Eventually, I plan going to an ecoboost and swapping all my parts over to it. But I want to know from current owners, how do you like yours? fuel mileage, reliability, performance, interior comfort.

Thank in advance.

 

[buffy]

I'm rolling over 200K on my 2016 Expedition with the 3.5 Eco. Just change the plugs every 50K and you're golden. I had a lot of concerns coming from a V8. They were all unwarranted. Here's the money I had to spend: 6R80 went out at 103K ( I hadn't flushed every 50K like recommended), plug went bad at 103K and 190K, fuel pump went bad at 153K and throttle body went bad at 160K. Engine is still purring with plenty of power.

Get a '17. All the Sync 3 is updated to do Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (you can upgrade the '16 to do it). King Ranch leather holds up the best. 16.5 mpg combined driving fast.

 

[JasonH]

It's great when it works. Get an extended warranty. Pulls my camper like a train, but repairs are pricey.

 

[gkretro]

I had a V8 Toyota Sequoia, traded for 17 XLT. Toyota had the smaller V8 and I found towing a bit of a chore. Expy has more torque for sure, towing is much easier. Fuel economy is good for such a large car, even towing at interstate speed milage is about what I got in the Toyota (and I was going slower). So far the only repair I've needed is the ETB, which seems to be a thing with Ford. Comfort/ride is good.

 

[GlennSullivan]

Hey everyone,

This is for the gen 3.5 ecoboost owners, who may have come from the v8 side.

I currently have a 2011 with the anemic yet thirsty 5.4. Eventually, I plan going to an ecoboost and swapping all my parts over to it. But I want to know from current owners, how do you like yours? fuel mileage, reliability, performance, interior comfort.

Thank in advance.

If you look at my avatar and sig you will see I currently own both 2011 and 2017 Limited’s. Both standard length, 4x4, Sync with factory Nav and HD Tow. I also owned a 2014 which was an exact match of the 2011. I traded that for the 2017.

The 2017 is much more powerful and much less thirsty, as long as you keep your foot out of it. It takes much less throttle pressure to get moving quickly in the 17.

The 2017 trans shifts beautifully and does not have the strange shift issues that the 2011 has that Ford never resolved at least in my case.

The 2017 Sync 3 / Nav is also so much better than the 2011 Sync

We have not had any engine problems with either the NA 5.4 or TT 3.5, but I am super **** on maintenance, with Mobil 1 oil changes every 4000 miles and because we have a few different vehicles, we don’t run up huge mileage on any of them - 2011 has 60k, while the 2017 has 40k.

The leather on the 2017 has been cheapened up since 2011, the drivers seat sides are cracking on the 2017 already, while the 2011 still are not.

I like the bright new dash on the 2017, but really don’t like the lack of guages.

I also don’t like the changes in the front suspension on the 2017 over the 2011 as the 17 tends to be noisey over rough pavement where the 11 is not, even though the 2012 has 20k more miles on it. I noticed this on the 2017 from day 1.

Another difference, which comes down to preference, the 17 steering is much lighter (more assist) than the 11. Around town the 17 is easier to maneuver because of this, but on the interstate at higher speeds, I much prefer the heavier more stable steering of the 11 which requires less input / management.

 

[larry1971]

Yes, I have regrets, in 18’ bought a 17’ with 59,000 miles, bought an extended warranty until 119,000, at 121,000 in Colorado the first check engine light came on, an underboost code, cleared and didn’t think to much about it due to the elevation, light came back on before we left, cleared once I got home, fast forward 5 months later it just quit on my wife, loaded it up and took it to ford, before I got home they called and said it needed a new engine, told them ok give a price, they called the next day $12,000 dollars.I got a call the first of the following week from an older service rep. Stating he wanted to dig into it, they found the turbo was bad on one side, suggested both turbos and new converters, gave the ok, $6600 later, up and running, this was in 19’, now after 30,000 trouble free miles hooked it to a small boat, once again same code popped up, cleared the code, now while back to Colorado the same code again, I am not spending anymore money on this thing, once I get back it is getting traded in on a GM product (I think the expeditions are better looking, but I am done with the“ecojoke”) if ford would offer the coyote I would gladly stay, but I can’t wait for them to dislodge head from you know what.
2009 f250
2008 expedition (another rant)
2003 mustang
1998 towncar

 

[rollinstone]

I’ve been sooo happy with my 2014 I can’t part with it. It’s been a super tow vehicle, looks good and gives a comfy ride. I’ve taken it to Burning Man 6 times and the alkali dust there is hell on metal and electronics. I’ve always given it a thorough cleaning and so far no issues. I’ll stick with it for now.

 

[Aces]

Hmmm ok. Thanks everyone for the input. I'll be sticking with my 5.4 for a bit longer. Just got the timing job done so I won't really look around quite yet. Currently at 188k. Maybe later on I can figure out how to shoehorn a 6.2 or 5.0 in one of these.

 

[Pilgrim]

I have an '08 with about 280,000 miles and a '15 with about 130,000 miles.
15 is much quieter and nicer to drive and much better fuel mileage. However, it's had several smaller repairs. The 08 has had virtually nothing done to it, except a starter about a month ago ($185 Cdn). Of course, I'm not including wear items like tires, brakes, shocks, and fan belts.
So, we like the 15 but it will never match the 08 for reliability. Both get Mobil1 on a regular basis. Everything done at home by myself.

 

[chuck s]

No regrets whatsoever. I went from a "first year" Gen3 (2007 V8) to a "last year" Gen3 (2017 3.5EB) and was happy with both. These exist in our family purely to tow a travel trailer. The '17 is much more powerful and gets better fuel economy. Got the '17 rather than an '18 because of the Gen4 changes like no gear shift lever and other nonsense.

'07 had burned wiring at the fuel pump sometime well after 100,000 miles that almost stranded me in the dead of winter. '17 needs a catalytic converter at just over 30,000 miles -- on backorder. Only problems with either.

-- Chuck

 

[HawaiiFiveOh]

Yes, I have regrets, in 18’ bought a 17’ with 59,000 miles, bought an extended warranty until 119,000, at 121,000 in Colorado the first check engine light came on, an underboost code, cleared and didn’t think to much about it due to the elevation, light came back on before we left, cleared once I got home, fast forward 5 months later it just quit on my wife, loaded it up and took it to ford, before I got home they called and said it needed a new engine, told them ok give a price, they called the next day $12,000 dollars.I got a call the first of the following week from an older service rep. Stating he wanted to dig into it, they found the turbo was bad on one side, suggested both turbos and new converters, gave the ok, $6600 later, up and running, this was in 19’, now after 30,000 trouble free miles hooked it to a small boat, once again same code popped up, cleared the code, now while back to Colorado the same code again, I am not spending anymore money on this thing, once I get back it is getting traded in on a GM product (I think the expeditions are better looking, but I am done with the“ecojoke”) if ford would offer the coyote I would gladly stay, but I can’t wait for them to dislodge head from you know what.
2009 f250
2008 expedition (another rant)
2003 mustang
1998 towncar

I had that underboost code too that only showed its face when I was towing, replacing the electronic boost control solenoid fixed it.

 

[Steve Tanner]

Had an 07' XLT 2WD for ~10 years. Had to replace the entire AC system, fan clutch twice, leaked coolant into the plug wells and ruined 2 COPs (passenger side). It cracked a plug (driver's side) driving from AZ to CO at ~65k miles so I had to pay the dealership in Boulder $900 to replace 8 spark plugs (Ford later refunded about half of that in a class-action lawsuit). Got T-boned in late 2018, and even though insurance totaled it (frame slightly bent, cost more to fix than it was worth) I could still drive it to the body shop. It kept my family safe, which is priority #1. It drove like a truck, handled like a truck, though it felt a little underpowered towing more than 3,000 lbs. If it sat for a few days the timing chains would rattle, so I knew that was going to need to be fixed eventually. Also, the AC blend doors were all broken/stuck and that's an 8+ hour shop job (you can DIY in about 2 using a youtube video, but repair shops go by their book rate which says 8 for complete dash removal).

Got a 2017 EL XLT 2WD to replace it. It was a rental vehicle, only 16 months old with 49k on it. Got an extended warranty at purchase. I DIY changed the throttle body at 59k (warranty dealer had a 3-week backlog; $130 and 45-min fix was worth not waiting). Fixed the front AC blower connector (known issue - the connector melts). Had the water pump changed under warranty at 61k due to a leak. I don't have the tow package, but I added the brake controller and 7-pin plug myself. Smaller trailers at 3-4,000 lbs, I forget they're back there because it almost drives like it's not. I just pulled a ~7,000 lb (loaded weight) toy hauler up from Phoenix to the mountains, and without the trans cooler it struggled a lot. I had to sit behind semis going up hills because anything over 25-30mph would cause the coolant temperature to get very high and transmission temps approaching 250F. I realize 7k is at the edge of capacity for the non-HD towing version, and if I ever do that again I'll add the cooler.

As for regrets, after almost 4 years I have none. Overall the 2017 drives like a completely different vehicle than the 2007. The 2017 handles like a big powerful car, in no way like the truck it is based on. It has more power off the line (too much, honestly - I wish I could easily put a boost-limit on it for my teenagers and lead-foot wife) and I can turn the wheel with one finger. Backup camera and rear-park assist are amazing additions you don't think you need until you have them. Nothing creeks or squeaks even at 5 years old and with ~70k. The ride is smoother and quieter, and it gets ~4-6 MPG better than the 2007 did. It sat almost completely unused during Covid - I think we put maybe 500 miles on it in 2020. Even now we only drive it when we need to take more than 5 people or transport large items, but it starts reliably every time.

 

[drbr0b0tnik]

My only regret was getting my wife into a limited and now she has a taste for fancy add ons that she otherwise wouldn’t care about, I’m having a hard time selling her on an xlt for an upgrade.

On a serious note, I don’t regret anything about the vehicle itself. I got our 2015 Limited 2wd in May of 2020 with 70k. Its taken us from So. AZ to California multiple times, plus drives all over the state. The only issue I’ve had outside of wear and tear stuff is the third row blender went out, which is pretty common. Admittedly, we don’t tow or do any particularly hard driving on it. So no complaints. Currently at 95,*** miles.

 

[Logan97]

Had an 07' XLT 2WD for ~10 years. Had to replace the entire AC system, fan clutch twice, leaked coolant into the plug wells and ruined 2 COPs (passenger side). It cracked a plug (driver's side) driving from AZ to CO at ~65k miles so I had to pay the dealership in Boulder $900 to replace 8 spark plugs (Ford later refunded about half of that in a class-action lawsuit). Got T-boned in late 2018, and even though insurance totaled it (frame slightly bent, cost more to fix than it was worth) I could still drive it to the body shop. It kept my family safe, which is priority #1. It drove like a truck, handled like a truck, though it felt a little underpowered towing more than 3,000 lbs. If it sat for a few days the timing chains would rattle, so I knew that was going to need to be fixed eventually. Also, the AC blend doors were all broken/stuck and that's an 8+ hour shop job (you can DIY in about 2 using a youtube video, but repair shops go by their book rate which says 8 for complete dash removal).

Got a 2017 EL XLT 2WD to replace it. It was a rental vehicle, only 16 months old with 49k on it. Got an extended warranty at purchase. I DIY changed the throttle body at 59k (warranty dealer had a 3-week backlog; $130 and 45-min fix was worth not waiting). Fixed the front AC blower connector (known issue - the connector melts). Had the water pump changed under warranty at 61k due to a leak. I don't have the tow package, but I added the brake controller and 7-pin plug myself. Smaller trailers at 3-4,000 lbs, I forget they're back there because it almost drives like it's not. I just pulled a ~7,000 lb (loaded weight) toy hauler up from Phoenix to the mountains, and without the trans cooler it struggled a lot. I had to sit behind semis going up hills because anything over 25-30mph would cause the coolant temperature to get very high and transmission temps approaching 250F. I realize 7k is at the edge of capacity for the non-HD towing version, and if I ever do that again I'll add the cooler.

As for regrets, after almost 4 years I have none. Overall the 2017 drives like a completely different vehicle than the 2007. The 2017 handles like a big powerful car, in no way like the truck it is based on. It has more power off the line (too much, honestly - I wish I could easily put a boost-limit on it for my teenagers and lead-foot wife) and I can turn the wheel with one finger. Backup camera and rear-park assist are amazing additions you don't think you need until you have them. Nothing creeks or squeaks even at 5 years old and with ~70k. The ride is smoother and quieter, and it gets ~4-6 MPG better than the 2007 did. It sat almost completely unused during Covid - I think we put maybe 500 miles on it in 2020. Even now we only drive it when we need to take more than 5 people or transport large items, but it starts reliably every time.

Do you live in AZ? If so I was wondering how the 17 ac handles in the summer? I have an 07 and even after having the entire ac system replaced and all the blend doors replaced it still doesn't keep very cool. I'm looking at replacing it with a 17.

 

[psfsvt]

Had a 2014 EL Limited from about 50k to 135k. Solid truck. Steering rack leaked and had to be replaced, and a seal on the front diff did as well. Otherwise, just normal maintenance. Replaced with a 2017 EL Limited; started at 38k and currently have 85k miles. The 2017 is a nicer truck in just about every way. But it has had a lot of little issues. I maintain my vehicles by the book and then some, and they are also exposed to offroad stuff more than most Expeditions.

The 2017 had a water pump go out at 59,920 miles, which means it was still under warranty thankfully. The 4x4 vacuum system has never worked quite right (would get light grinding sounds from time to time), so I did Ford's 'fix' and the front hubs are now always engaged whether it's in 4x4 or not (this is such a normal thing that they make TSB parts to do it; somehow that's not impressive though it does fix the grinding). Front pinion seal was leaking, replaced at 71k. RF wheel bearing bad, replaced at 75k. When test driving after replacing the wheel bearing, I was quite pleased at how the bearing noise was now gone. Then suddenly less pleased when I got onto the highway and the truck shut down with the orange wrench of death on the screen. Fortunately this is such a well known issue, that a quick search told me to replace the throttle body. And everyone has them in stock. So nursed it home, took my car to get parts, and replaced that. At least it's a very easy fix. Now at 85k the ABS goes crazy and lights up the dash with all manner of warning lights sometimes; got it scanned today and it apparently is just a rear wheel speed sensor. I hope that's all it is. Oh, and I'm getting major hesitation at high rpm under boost. Which is very likely just spark plugs. Plugs and boots came in last week, just need to get them changed.

All that to say, like so many Ford vehicles, the 2017 is a very nice truck. Great features, comfortable, great cruiser, etc. But they do not have quality entirely figured out. I know these trucks can go 200k miles, and I'd hoped to go 150k in this one, but I drive a ton for work and can't afford to have something that's iffy from a reliability standpoint. Not quite ready to throw in the towel, but I've found myself looking at used Sequoias quite a bit lately. Also, I've had two S197 Mustangs that were flawless, and then an S550 that was more like a 2017 Expedition in terms of quality, so there may be something to older Fords being a bit less fussy than the newer stuff.

 

[Logan97]

Had a 2014 EL Limited from about 50k to 135k. Solid truck. Steering rack leaked and had to be replaced, and a seal on the front diff did as well. Otherwise, just normal maintenance. Replaced with a 2017 EL Limited; started at 38k and currently have 85k miles. The 2017 is a nicer truck in just about every way. But it has had a lot of little issues. I maintain my vehicles by the book and then some, and they are also exposed to offroad stuff more than most Expeditions.

The 2017 had a water pump go out at 59,920 miles, which means it was still under warranty thankfully. The 4x4 vacuum system has never worked quite right (would get light grinding sounds from time to time), so I did Ford's 'fix' and the front hubs are now always engaged whether it's in 4x4 or not (this is such a normal thing that they make TSB parts to do it; somehow that's not impressive though it does fix the grinding). Front pinion seal was leaking, replaced at 71k. RF wheel bearing bad, replaced at 75k. When test driving after replacing the wheel bearing, I was quite pleased at how the bearing noise was now gone. Then suddenly less pleased when I got onto the highway and the truck shut down with the orange wrench of death on the screen. Fortunately this is such a well known issue, that a quick search told me to replace the throttle body. And everyone has them in stock. So nursed it home, took my car to get parts, and replaced that. At least it's a very easy fix. Now at 85k the ABS goes crazy and lights up the dash with all manner of warning lights sometimes; got it scanned today and it apparently is just a rear wheel speed sensor. I hope that's all it is. Oh, and I'm getting major hesitation at high rpm under boost. Which is very likely just spark plugs. Plugs and boots came in last week, just need to get them changed.

All that to say, like so many Ford vehicles, the 2017 is a very nice truck. Great features, comfortable, great cruiser, etc. But they do not have quality entirely figured out. I know these trucks can go 200k miles, and I'd hoped to go 150k in this one, but I drive a ton for work and can't afford to have something that's iffy from a reliability standpoint. Not quite ready to throw in the towel, but I've found myself looking at used Sequoias quite a bit lately. Also, I've had two S197 Mustangs that were flawless, and then an S550 that was more like a 2017 Expedition in terms of quality, so there may be something to older Fords being a bit less fussy than the newer stuff.

Quality is also my concern. My 07 has taken quite the beating but at 211,000 miles it's either I buy $6000 worth of parts or replace it, hopefully with something as reliable. I have also seen a few sequoias that I like but I also found an excursion that I'm hoping is still there tax time.

 

[tacoduck]

I’ve owned 2, and they have been extremely reliable. My 2017 was bought in 2019 with 55k miles on it. Former rental car. Zero issues to 80k miles, and it was stolen out of my driveway. Replaced it with a 2016 limited w 4wd. I’m 2021. Vehicle has been reliable for the 2 years I’ve owned it.
These trucks currently are an excellent value. I saw a 2015 limited the other day listed for $24k with 60k miles on it. I also think they are better looking than the 2018-++ expos. Imo I’d buy with confidence