Sharing this story because it’s truly a testament to how well the 2019 Ford Expedition held up in an incredibly dangerous situation. This vehicle saved my family during a serious accident, and I am beyond grateful for its design and safety features.
Wow, that’s terrifying and incredible at the same time. Thanks for sharing! Makes me feel even safer having my family in my 2018 Max.
Elliot said:
Wow, that’s terrifying and incredible at the same time. Thanks for sharing! Makes me feel even safer having my family in my 2018 Max.
Absolutely. The timing was ironic, though, since I had just finished the cam phaser recall along with new brakes and tires on the Expedition before it got totaled. That recall took forever to get done. Hopefully, you’ve already taken care of yours. Happy Holidays!
So glad your family is okay. I have a 2022 STX and love it. Quick question: was your 5-year-old sitting in the second-row driver-side seat? That’s the position I use for my 2-year-old. I figured it’s a bit safer because the passenger side feels more exposed (like in left-hand turns). Plus, instinctively, drivers often avoid impacts near their own side. Just curious about your setup.
@Hale
Yes, the 5-year-old was sitting in the second row on the driver’s side—right behind the driver. The kids often switch between the two captain’s chairs back there. The Expedition has side impact beams in the doors, which I imagine are standard on the F-150 and similar vehicles. Stay safe, and Happy Holidays!
@Lex
That makes sense. I’ve got the STX too, which seems like a rare trim—I haven’t seen another one yet.
@Hale
All the second-row seats in the Expedition can move independently and have latch anchors. It’s such a well-thought-out family vehicle.
This is exactly why I drive a 2020 Expedition MAX with my family. Did your Expedition come with seatbelt airbags? If so, do you think they helped?
Also, crazy that this was a hit-and-run. With the size and weight of an Expedition, anything that could roll it must have been in terrible shape itself.
@Kelsey
Thanks for your comment. I don’t think ours had seatbelt airbags, but the tensioners worked incredibly well.
You’re right about the weight—it absolutely matters. Something smaller wouldn’t have stood a chance. Bystanders saw the other vehicle take the next exit with its front end barely hanging on. I’m sure its airbags deployed too. Sadly, the police stopped looking for the suspect the next day.
First photo: Now might be a good time to check on the exhaust and driveline.
Dylan said:
First photo: Now might be a good time to check on the exhaust and driveline.
I was surprised by how clean it looked underneath for having nearly 70K miles. No rust, just in excellent condition.
@Lex
Wow, your 70K looks better than my 2007 with 180K! Except I’ve got rocker panel rot starting. Hopefully, your new one lasts just as long as this one has for me!
So glad you and your family are okay! This is another reason my dad swears by Ford for work trucks.
Dallas said:
So glad you and your family are okay! This is another reason my dad swears by Ford for work trucks.
Thanks. This was my first Ford and my first large SUV. We had a Toyota Highlander before, but it was too small for our family and two dogs. Funny enough, the Expedition got the same mileage (17 mpg combined) and often did better on the highway. The Highlander was terrible for towing—dragging a small pop-up trailer would drop it to 6-8 mpg. Combine that with a tiny gas tank, and we were stopping for fuel constantly.
@Lex
That’s crazy! Glad you upgraded.
Thanks for sharing your story. So glad everyone made it out okay!
Dallas said:
Thanks for sharing your story. So glad everyone made it out okay!
Thank you. Wishing you and your family a great holiday season.
I got T-boned once, and those side airbags were the real lifesaver. My dog was in the back seat and walked away fine, thanks to them. Glad your family is okay!
Ellis said:
I got T-boned once, and those side airbags were the real lifesaver. My dog was in the back seat and walked away fine, thanks to them. Glad your family is okay!
I agree about the side airbags—they’re incredible. I also can’t overstate how well the seatbelt tensioners worked. And while a smaller car might not have flipped, I suspect it would’ve ended up spinning into other vehicles. The Expedition’s height also helped protect the rear-seat occupants by taking the brunt of the impact on the lower side. So many factors worked in our favor.
So glad everyone is safe. Wishing your mother-in-law a smooth and full recovery!