Don't Buy A High Mileage Ford Expedition Until You've Watched This!!

I review this 2011 Ford Expedition purchased with 159,400 miles, serviced and ready to cross the US for under 8k!

[@SP-gz5jx]

I’ve owned 4 Expeditions. Every one lasted over 200,000 miles. The key to the Expedition longevity is changing the oil. I change mine every 5,000 miles. Very easy. I bought cheap tires once and I’ll never make that mistake again. I bought Michelin tires and I won’t buy anything else. Every 10,000 or so miles I clean the MAF sensor with MAF sensor cleaner and clean the throttle body, which keeps the gas mileage high and motor running smooth. Both easy maintenance items , with KZbin videos online.

[@GaryH-pw9cm]

I bought a new 07 Expedition that came with the Continental tires from the factory. They ran real smooth. Later I bought some Wrangler tires for it, and they were not as good. Kind of rough riding. The right tires make all the difference in how the Expedition rides.

[@benvillar2297]

I've had my baby for about like 2 years and a half, it's a 2003 model, the first one with this boxy design and I just efing love it. I know I can go to hell and back in that truck and it can just go on. I honestly was a little scared about the V8 but that 5.4 is just stunning, and so very comfortable. Great video! Mine's also white and gold, isn't it just gorgeous in those tones?

[@Thingswithwheels1]

Glad you've had such good expeirmce with yours, and yes I agree it's a great color scheme! Thank you for watching, please like and subscribe; more content coming!

[@infinity3jif]

I have a 2004 EB 5.4L 2 valve 252k and everything mostly still works except for the DVD player. I had the transmission rebuilt about 20k ago other than that it's been great before that I had a 1999 XLT now that thing was a real die-hard. I junked it with 394k.

[@Thingswithwheels1]

Thank you for watching and good to hear! These are solid trucks for sure.

[@sashimiturtle]

You do not have a 2004 Expedition 5.4 2v. The 4.6 and 5.4 2v engines ran in the first gen Expedition from 97-02. The LAST year for a 2v in the Expedition was 2002. The 2004 Year model for the F150 was split with the 2004 "Classic" being the 97-03 body style with the 2v engine, and the 04 being the then new 11th gen body with the 3v engine.

[@infinity3jif]

@@sashimiturtle You are incorrect. The 03-04 Expedition still came with the 2 valve but with the updated body style. The 3 valve was introduced in 05 for the Expedition and 04 for the F-150.

[@wynnpham631]

@@infinity3jifI don’t know how many valves on my 2004 Expedition EB , VIN can tell? The U in VIN tells 4 speed automatic transmission.

[@user-tb8tk2hp5c]

Amazing information, helped a lot. ❤

[@Thingswithwheels1]

Thank you for watching!

[@stevenvilardi8626]

I had a 2003 that I bought from a friend. I got it with 182,000 miles and traded it in with 227,000. It worked and looked mint, unfortunately the entire rear chassis and part of the front was rusted out. I found a 2012 with 70,000 miles and every option. I’ve had it a year and a half now. The first vehicle was better maintained but this one is ok with only a few problems. Starter motor, right floorboard making grinding noises so I turned the mechanism off through dash controls. Today I put a can of r-134a in AC. When I bought the truck I had the dealer replace all the hoses on the ac. Steering could be a bit quicker. I love all the options.

[@Thingswithwheels1]

Thank you for watching!

[@jaimeparadise]

I have an expedition 2004 XLT with 4.6L. Now it has 307k miles and still starts and runs like new. Just had to fix a fuel pump relay issue that is part of the fuse box very common on these vehicles. Other than that I love it.

[@mellayella7949]

I have 2003 ford expedition XLT with 5.4L. I bought it 6 years ago with 190k miles. It has 370k miles and still running strong

[@fahad1992fah]

Thats how you purchase a car and save money, find a good reliable car to begin with, make sure it has a good history,, then do all the main required maintenance, then use it for 2-4 years and sell it with minimal loss then repeat the cycle,👍🏽cause when u purchased it already depreciated, so you have done it the smartest way brother 👍🏽👍🏽

[@chrisabcdefg8171]

Sometimes buying new and owning for a long time to amortize the cost can also make sense. You get a warranty, and you know the history. I consider $3k yr usage spend on a vehicle very reasonable. I paid $33k new ($43K sticker then) and now at 12 yrs, that's $2.7k/yr. And that's if I donate it. Aside from front brakes every other yr, and some other repairs I've noted above, this has been an extremely reliable vehicle.

[@fahad1992fah]

@@chrisabcdefg8171 yeah i understand buying new sometimes also makes sense, however, nowadays many manufacturers intentionally make the car last around the warranty time, so lets say the warranty is 5 years, they build the car to start break down in different areas, in around 6-7 years, so even if you maintain it very good, it will eventually break down around the 7-8 maximum, so i would say go for the older CLEAN once, like ur Expedition, because its from an era that this trend of intentionally make the car last less time was not around, so i stick with my first opinion which is “you did it the right way”

[@76629online]

These are fantastic vehicles. I bought a high mileage '13 model (210K) recently, very cheap because it was suffering from a timing chain failure. It was a one owner, very well maintained. Fixed it myself and now its like a new truck. You're right, the 5.4 is a fantastic engine that gets a bad rap - mainly because most folks just don't maintain their vehicles properly. Mine is a 2wd model, it gets nearly 22mpg on the highway. Has a 3.15 gear.

[@Thingswithwheels1]

Hard to argue with a truck that big getting over 20 mpg!

[@chrisabcdefg8171]

I got my '11 new as a leftover in April '12. Basic XLT with cloth, manual AC and HD trailering since I tow a 7000 camper. Has 170K now and I've maintained myself. As you noted, these are very reliable if the previous owner(s) have done the regular maintenance. I have never had a Service Engine. Service Advancetrac lights up once in a while. The hood and liftgate are AL with problems around for yrs when using dissimilar metals since the AL is a lower potential than the steel. Thus it will be corroding earlier. The timing chains and VCTs can last while when using the recommended oil. I've used Motorcraft 5-20 blend up to 100k changing at 5k intervals. At 100K I changed to 5/30. At 150K I change at 3.3K. Up to the 150K mark, I did notice a slight tick at startup which is likely passenger side timing chain tensioner. Since the 3.3K mi oil changes, that has ceased. Yes, I also did all 4 corners with the Monroe Quick struts. Front lower control arm bushings had some slight dry rot so did entire arms with bushings and lower ball joints in April '23. And the front struts are an additional 5 mins of work since only 15mm nuts on top. Spark plugs aren't an issue in this 5.4L. That's the

[@Thingswithwheels1]

Great observations! Thanks for watching!

[@chrisabcdefg8171]

Sure thing. You got a nice clean one there! My rims are just crap as for some reason they just got discolored. My Ingot Silver still shines nice. Oh another time bomb is the Y connected heater hose. The Y is PLASTIC and IT WILL BREAK SUDDENLY. Make sure this was done and if not, get it replaced ASAP.

[@charlesnichelson219]

Yes they are nice I have a 2011 expedition EL with heavy duty tow package. Tow my 5000lb RV all over the south and east part of the country. One thing about expeditions they can tow. It has 146,000 miles still runs strong. Change oil every 4,000mile use Synthetic oil. 5.4 L Expeditions get a bad wrap with cam phaser and timing tensioners issues.mine is probably due for that however finding a reputable mechanic is not easy. It’s rides nice and comfortable for long trips so I can’t complain.

[@chrisabcdefg8171]

Towing is good with your 3.73 gears and a 5k# camper. Mine is 36' and 6500 dry. With gear it's prob low 7's and I have 3.31 in the 119". We don't go far. Issue is no 4th gear selection. It wants to go into 5th and that's too low RPM at 60. Then I hit a hill and it jumps to 3rd for 5 seconds, then 4th for 2 sec then back to 5tth... Dumb. The 07+ Expy's with the Windsor designed head engines (good spark plugs) are still hit or miss with the timing. They do use the improved phasers but we're lucky as I know 2 others that needed timing. An '11 at 110k and '13 was only at 65k. The '11 was also an EL towing a 7500lb camper.

[@mojorisin7317]

I own a 2011 Ford Expedition XLT premium 4wd with 250k original miles on everything and still runs great. Just basic maintenance and the exhaust manifolds and liftgate paint issues. The last generation 5.4 3 valves are great motors that had mostly all the previous issues resolved in 2009. Tons of satisfied owners with these vehicles with high mileage on them. Precisely why the government and police departments use these vehicles extensively. Just do early regular maintenance 5-6k miles and use full synthetic 5w20 motor oil ✌🏽🇺🇲

[@Thingswithwheels1]

Thank you for watching and commenting! More content to come!

[@ProudBostonian]

I bought an ‘04 Expedition XLT Sport with the 2 valve 5.4L V8 back in October after my 2012 Ford Fusion was totaled thanks to some idiot. I only got $6500 for it from the insurance company and being a nearly 40 year old fully disabled combat veteran living solely on my disability I didn’t have much extra to put towards another vehicle. I saw this one at a buy here pay here lot here in NC where I now live (I grew up in Boston). It was a two owner (one was a fleet and the other was an older person), I checked the carfax to see what was done and everything was maintained properly. I had 127,000 miles on it when I bought it (I’m at 133,000 now) and outside of the as expected poor fuel mileage I have to say, I LOVE THIS TRUCK!! It’s got the heavy duty tow package so I can tow just under 9,000lbs if need be and the only thing it needs right now is shocks. I’ve become a BIG fan of these 2nd generation Ford Expedition. Being an automotive technician myself I stayed away from the 3rd gen. because of the cam phaser problems but if that’s been addressed then they’re also very good reliable trucks as well!

[@Thingswithwheels1]

Thank you so much for your service and thank you for watching! More content coming!

[@trebrown6833]

Trying to purchase a 03 with 160k miles EB edition today. It’s a 5.4 2v

[@kyledavis5474]

Good solid vehicle! I have a 2010 Limited I bough in 2015 with 82k on it. Now has 162k and overall has been a great vehicle. Had the rear hatch and hood repainted as you mentioned, all four blend doors have been replaced - other than that basic maintenance. I go back and forth about doing a preventative timing job now before something breaks? No phaser noise at all, sometimes a slight rattle at startup - not sure if it’s due to the tensioner gaskets starting to bleed pressure off a little. If you know of a great 5.4 3V mechanic in the CT area let us know!

[@Thingswithwheels1]

@kyledavis5474 thanks so much for watching. I do have a guy in the Meriden/Wallingford area. Not sure how to privately get that information to you.

[@larspmohr]

My 2010 XLT 165k had the start up rattle from the blown tensioners causing a shattered timing chain guide. Spent 7 days DIY replacement of chains, guides, phasers, roller-followers. $1500 in parts. I hope that makes ot reliable for a another 165k

[@Thingswithwheels1]

Cheaper to fix it than replace it! The next thing to watch out for is the transmission, but hopefully you'll have a lot of time and miles before then

[@GaryH-pw9cm]

I have a 2014 Expedition King Ranch I bought new in 2014. It now has 9200 miles on it. It is like new as it sits in the garage most of the time. It had some problems early on but here lately it seems to be problem free. Needs a battery every few years and oil changes regularly but it just starts and runs fine.

[@Thingswithwheels1]

@@GaryH-pw9cm thanks for watching!

[@thechiclets56]

My 2003 Expedition EB never fails and I wouldn't trade it for a new anything.

[@Thingswithwheels1]

Thanks for watching! I have more Expedition content planned!

[@tweezythompson5219]

285k on my 2008 EL,still going strong with no major issues

[@Thingswithwheels1]

Thanks for watching!

[@spikey01234]

Great cars if you take care of them. Problem buying used is you never know. Someone could just say yeah I've done a timing job. They also are prone to crank walk and the roller go out. Pretty much a lame duck engine until you go through the whole thing. Does that make it good? Not at all. Had one for a month got rid of it.

[@emteebee1872]

I’m considering a 2013 Sequoia or 2013 Expedition XLT. Been a Toyota fan forever. The thought of Ford makes me nervous but your video’s given me a bit more confidence in the Expedition… both SUVs I’m looking at have 97k miles on them. It’s just the Sequoia costs $4000 more.

[@Thingswithwheels1]

If you're unsure spend the money to have a mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection for you. Listen for ticking sounds from timing chain cover indicating worn guides. Make sure the transmission goes through the gears well up and down. Try out the 4wd (if equipped). We are about to embark on a cross country trip again and I have zero fears about taking this truck

[@Thingswithwheels1]

Thanks for watching! Subscribe for more content!

[@emteebee1872]

@@Thingswithwheels1 yes thanks. I always get a PPI when looking at a car. Yeah I heard about those nasty roller followers that can break the engine. Enjoy your trip

[@michaelbefumo-qg7ji]

I have 08 3v 5 4 263790miles don't know if its original motor , but it runs good don't know about the trans but it works good change oil every three to 4000 miles faithfully with quality filter and oil and it doesn't burn anything

[@Thingswithwheels1]

That's great! Thanks for watching

[@ilc-nl3yy]

I bought a 2012 King Ranch EL November of 2022, with just under 40k miles. It now has 48k miles.

[@Thingswithwheels1]

Wow low miles! Enjoy!

[@PlaneGuyProud]

Would you reckon 170-190k miles $5.5k a good deal? And idk if Expedition is better generally or Suburbans. I am always a bit weary when it comes to GM.

[@Thingswithwheels1]

The most important thing is to little closely to the engine at start up and when warm for timing chain noise. Also really pay attention to how the trans shifts. Both are potential big expenses.

[@PlaneGuyProud]

@@Thingswithwheels1 Thanks. Planning to get my first vehicle. I plan to take it to a mechanic before purchasing. I'd have no idea what a proper shift would feel like so hopefully the mechanic doesn't screw me over.

[@ilc-nl3yy]

Did you replace the rear airbags with struts? How was the ride?

[@Thingswithwheels1]

Non airbag model. Ride with the new struts is very good.

[@CDubb442]

I’m currently looking at a getting 3rd gen expedition or a 2015-16 4Runner limited I’m not spending 50k for a SUV. That’s beautiful SUV btw.

[@Thingswithwheels1]

@CDubb442 thank you and thanks for watching

[@JCuervo330]

How’s it treating you since… wife’s fancy on a 12 Navigator. 200k miles has me worried but it’s been maintained at dealers throughout Soooooo maybe still worth $9k

[@Thingswithwheels1]

@JCuervo330 we have driven 2400 trouble free miles in the last 8 days. 170k and counting

[@claudelegree7450]

I'm currently looking to buy an expedition of this generation but I would like to know how does it compare to the 2015-2017 models ?

[@Thingswithwheels1]

I haven't owned that generation, but from what I understand the early Ecoboost trucks (and those years are) can be troublesome. Thanks for tuning in!

[@claudelegree7450]

@@Thingswithwheels1 Wow, I didn't realize the early Ecoboost engines had problems but it makes sense being the first years of a remodel. I like the 07-14 models but I hear so much crap about the 5.4 Triton 3V, Ford also made a 5.4 2V and a 4V that are much less problematic but I've never heard anyone say what years they put the 2V and the 4V in the expedition or what trims levels had those engines. Thanks for responding!

[@WilliamMeece-hc1rx]

How do these expeditions do in towing

[@Thingswithwheels1]

Mine has done just fine. It has the towing package which as I recall rates it for 9000 lbs towing. With that much weight the 5.4 will struggle but it can do the job. For longer trailers I would recommend an Expedition EL for the added wheelbase. Also I'm a big fan of using a weight distributing hitch. Thanks for watching

[@stevelikatho1899]

I have the 07 5.4 bought it for a Thousand dollars at 290k now am at 301k, use it for hauling vehicles every week, engine still running strong, abit of transmission shudder but I drive back and forth between Elkhart and Muskegon Michigan

[@Thingswithwheels1]

@@stevelikatho1899 run it til it falls apart. What a bargain!

[@jonpogi2666]

Just bought mine 110k miles 2004 Eddie Bauer for 3k.

[@Thingswithwheels1]

Sounds like a great deal! Thanks for watching

[@robertkrause1948]

2009 xlt expedition just hit 415,000 and she just keeps rolling .....

[@Thingswithwheels1]

That's fantastic! It's amazing what proper maintenance can do for a well engineered vehicle!

[@chrisabcdefg8171]

Nice!!

[@michaelbefumo-qg7ji]

That's good to hear I'm just under 265 and it runs great and I'm just wondering if it really is the original engine and trance

[@SWright1978]

2WD is great unless you go off-road or have winter snow.

[@Thingswithwheels1]

@SWright1978 2wds are a great buy and have less to break and get better fuel economy. Great trucks! I need 4x4 for our New England winters but if I lived further South I wouldn't hesitate to get a 4x2.

[@oddman-out]

Here is my 2004: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIbCfJVqq72XZ6M I bought it sight unseen, and road tripped it home. I have been very fortunate to have few problems with it. Here is the road trip video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3fNkGaGr9Wqpsk

[@Thingswithwheels1]

I saved both to watch them later. I also subscribed to you. I would appreciate if you would subscribe back, maybe we can help both channels grow!

[@vader449]

Im looking at an 07 with 216k 1 owner for 4k ans 2wd

[@Thingswithwheels1]

Look closely at the rockers-they are prone to rust. I would also want to see a history of spark plug and fluid changes if I were you. Treated well these things live into high miles pretty well. Thank you for watching

[@theowl2044]

These old SUVs from Ford are indestructible

[@hergandbiskell1546]

shocks ≠ struts

[@Thingswithwheels1]

You are 100% correct. This generation of Expedition has four struts, and I elected to ultimately replace all four with "loaded" replacements (full assembly with a new coil spring already installed). I mention that in the video, so I'm not sure what your observation means?

[@noblefriend8112]

Bought a 2014 ford expedition el xlt 5.4 3v three years ago. It had 111,000 miles on it now getting close to 150k. People were telling me it’s inevitable having problem with the timing chain and camphaser problems. We’ll see. It looks like it’s doing well right now having an oil change every 3k using 5w-30 full synthetic advised by for KZbinr ford mechanic fordtechmakaluco.

[@Thingswithwheels1]

From what I've gathered the timing issues makes itself well known before they go if people would just listen

[@operationbs7610]

Once you even start to get startup rattle you still have time. These motors are VERY resilient.

[@chrisabcdefg8171]

Yeah mine's rattled at startup since 100k. Change oil 3x in 10k miles like I do now and rattle is gone.

[@Thingswithwheels1]

@chrisabcdefg8171 thanks for watching!

[@Thingswithwheels1]

@operationbs7610 thanks for watching!