Used Ford Expedition: Best Years and Years to Avoid
Swant Graber Ford · Barron, Wisconsin
Used Ford Expedition: Best Years and Years to Avoid
Shopping a pre-owned Expedition near Barron? Here is which years we would buy, which we would inspect hardest, and how to protect a big purchase.
- 2022-2024Best used years
- 2018-2020Inspect hardest
- 21N03Ford cam phaser program
- $127.50Only dealer fee
Home › Ford Expedition › Expedition Guide › Used years to buy · Last updated October 31, 2026
Short answer
- Best used years: 2022-2024, and 2025-2026 if the budget allows.
- Inspect hardest: 2018-2020 (10-speed complaints, cam phaser rattle).
- Safest route: Ford Blue Advantage or CarBravo certified.
Expedition generations at a glance
| Generation | Model years | Engine | Our take |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd | 2007-2017 | 5.4L V8 (to 2014), 3.5L EcoBoost from 2015 | Budget only; age and rust matter more than year |
| 4th | 2018-2024 | 3.5L EcoBoost V6, 10-speed | Best used value; prefer 2022-2024 |
| 5th | 2025-present | 3.5L EcoBoost / HO V6, 10-speed | Nearly new; 24-in display, std tow tech |
Best used years
Late 4th generation. Owner-complaint trackers built from NHTSA data show far fewer complaints per year on the road than 2018-2020, and reliability indexes rate them "good." Many were sold new in the area.
Current generation at a used discount. Same powertrain, the new interior, standard Pro Trailer assists and standard HD tow on 2025 4x4s.
Middle ground: better than 2018-2020 on complaint counts, still check transmission behavior.
Years to inspect hardest (or avoid)
2018-2020. Consumer Reports listed 2017-2019 Expedition among used vehicles to avoid in 2024, citing powertrain issues; NHTSA complaint counts peak in 2019-2020. The two patterns to know:
- Cam phaser rattle (3.5L EcoBoost): a rattle on cold start after sitting. Ford issued PCM update program 21B10 and extended cam phaser coverage under 21N03 for 2018-2020 Expedition built March 2017-November 2019; Ford said the noise does not affect safety or emissions. Those coverage windows have expired, so ask for records.
- 10-speed shift quality: owner reports of shudder, harsh or slipping shifts; often addressed by software updates, sometimes by repair.
None of this means every 2018-2020 is bad; a documented one with updates done can be a fair buy at the right price. We never present a number we cannot document, so ask us to pull the open-recall check (nhtsa.gov/recalls by VIN) on any unit.
Is a used Expedition a good deal?
Full-size SUVs shed value fast in the first three years, so a 2-3-year-old Expedition can save five figures over new. The trade-off is risk on a costly vehicle. Our checklist:
- Cold-start it yourself; listen for a rattle.
- Drive it 20+ minutes including 30-50 mph light-throttle shifts.
- Get a CARFAX and open recall check.
- Check 4x4 engagement and the tow package (look for the cooler and 7-pin).
- Look underneath for Wisconsin road-salt rust on brake lines and the frame.
- Price protection: extended service plan and GAP.
Certified is the safest path
Ford Blue Advantage Gold and Blue certified units come inspected with Ford-backed coverage; our CarBravo vehicles add another inspected, warranted option. Either way you get the same no-add-on pricing and $127.50 doc fee.
Used MAX or standard?
Same rules as new: MAX for cargo with all rows up, standard for garage fit and the 9,600-lb rating. See Expedition vs MAX.
Sources: Consumer Reports via Ford Authority (July 2024); NHTSA-posted Ford programs 21B10 and 21N03; owner-complaint aggregators built on NHTSA data (diagsheet.com, autoreliabilityindex.com) used directionally only. Reliability is a pattern, not a promise for any single vehicle.
Keep reading
Frequently asked questions
What are the best and worst used Ford Expedition years?
Owner-complaint data and Consumer Reports point to 2018-2020 as the years to inspect hardest (10-speed shift complaints, 3.5L cam phaser rattle; Ford ran programs 21B10/21N03). 2022-2024 draw far fewer complaints and are the stronger used picks; 2025+ is the new generation.
Is a used Ford Expedition a good deal?
Often, because full-size SUVs depreciate quickly early on. Buy a documented 2022+ or a certified unit, check open recalls, and price an extended service plan.
What is the cam phaser problem on the Expedition?
Some 2018-2020 3.5L EcoBoost engines developed a cold-start rattle from the cam phasers. Ford released PCM update 21B10 and extended coverage under 21N03; those windows have expired, so ask for service records.
What does an Expedition cost out the door at Swant Graber Ford?
We sell new Fords at invoice pricing with no mandatory dealer add-ons. Out the door is the agreed price plus Wisconsin sales tax, title and registration, plus our $127.50 documentary fee, which is the only dealer fee.
1697 E Division Ave, Barron, WI 54812
Sales: 715-537-9500
Serving Barron, Rice Lake, Cumberland, Chetek, Cameron, Turtle Lake, Spooner and the rest of northwest Wisconsin.