Deciding between Expedition Max, Yukon XL, and Suburban is challenging. I’m drawn to the Expedition for its handling and interior, but concerns about potential cam phaser issues and other reliability problems make me hesitate. Found a '20 Expedition Max with 68k miles for $37k+—it drove well with no obvious problems, but it’s not CPO. Should I be worried about that?
Family members recommend the Yukon XL/Suburban based on personal experiences with older models, but I prefer the Expedition’s overall feel. Is it really as bad to maintain as some stories suggest? Also, is an extended warranty worth it? The dealer offers a free lifetime powertrain warranty, but I’m skeptical.
Any advice or experiences would be greatly appreciated, especially regarding long-term reliability and maintenance for these models.
I went through the same thing—comparing options like the Yukon XL and Suburban. I ended up with the Expedition Max because it drove better, and after a year, I’m still happy with my choice.
Dani said:
I went through the same thing—comparing options like the Yukon XL and Suburban. I ended up with the Expedition Max because it drove better, and after a year, I’m still happy with my choice.
Glad to hear that! Did you go for an extended warranty, or have you had any major issues?
@Nico
I considered one but decided against it. With the engine and trans being shared with the F-150, there’s a massive number of these vehicles on the road—if the reliability was terrible, they wouldn’t sell as many.
We love our '19 Expedition Max, but it’s not as reliable as the Toyota/Lexus vehicles we were used to. I’d strongly recommend an extended warranty—it has saved us a lot of money.
Morgan said:
We love our '19 Expedition Max, but it’s not as reliable as the Toyota/Lexus vehicles we were used to. I’d strongly recommend an extended warranty—it has saved us a lot of money.
Get an extended warranty. I had the cam phaser issue, and you likely will too. It’s a design flaw that requires fixing. I love the truck but probably wouldn’t buy another Ford because of it.
Kaius said:
Get an extended warranty. I had the cam phaser issue, and you likely will too. It’s a design flaw that requires fixing. I love the truck but probably wouldn’t buy another Ford because of it.
Sorry to hear that. Did your warranty cover the repairs?
All newer large SUVs have their issues, so go with the one you enjoy driving. I’d recommend a Ford extended warranty (not third-party) for peace of mind. Check Flood Ford or Lombard Ford for better prices on warranties. CPO can add a warranty, but you’ll pay for it in the sticker price.
Nico said: @Jem
Good to know about Ford warranties. Are third-party warranties really that bad?
Yes, third-party warranties often don’t pay out as promised. Ford’s warranty isn’t perfect, but it’s more reliable. With all the tech in these vehicles, a warranty pays for itself quickly. My last claim was over $15k, but I only paid $100 because of the warranty.
The cam phaser and transmission issues are almost guaranteed, but the repairs fix the flaws. I love my '19 Platinum after getting the cam phasers fixed. I also secured a Ford extended warranty out to 125k miles—highly recommend doing the same.
We love our '21 Expedition Max, but not getting the extended warranty was a mistake. Lost the transmission after 4k miles, which cost $8k to rebuild (dealer covered $4k after pressure). If you’re mechanically inclined, it’s manageable, but definitely get a warranty.
Nico said: @Bryn
Have you done spark plugs yet? I’m not afraid to DIY, but some vehicles make it unnecessarily hard.
Haven’t done the plugs yet, but they’re pretty accessible. Removing the charge pipes and PCV hoses opens up a lot of space. I’d also recommend getting a Ford service manual—it’s incredibly helpful for DIY work.