I found a 2006 Ford Expedition XLT with 4WD being sold for $4,000. It has around 133,000 miles and was owned by a school since it was new. The condition seems pretty decent for its age. Do you think it’s a good buy, or should I pass?
You should look into the 5.4L 3-valve Triton engines before making a decision. They’re known for having issues.
I’m a loyal Ford fan, but I wouldn’t touch a 5.4 engine. If you’re looking for reliability, check out a 2006 or older Tahoe, Suburban, or Denali instead. They don’t have the cylinder deactivation issues.
My dad has an '09 Tahoe that’s still running strong at 120,000 miles. It’s been towing our boat every summer too.
Be careful. The AFM lifters on those engines are prone to failure. Not every single one will fail, but the risk is definitely higher.
120k is nothing. My college roommate had an '07 Tahoe with 335,000 miles on it, and it was still going strong.
Yeah, ours hasn’t had any major issues, just minor cosmetic stuff.
Expeditions from 2005 onwards came with two engine options: a 4.6L and a 5.4L. The 4.6 is a solid engine. The 5.4, though, has a history of spark plugs blowing out or getting stuck. Ford tried to fix it by adding more threads, but sometimes the plugs break during removal, which can lead to expensive repairs.
The 5.4L also has issues with cam phasers, and fixing them can cost thousands. Seat cushions tend to fall apart too.
If you’re open to other options, I’d go for a 2006 or older Tahoe/Yukon/Suburban. They’re more reliable overall. If it’s a 2007 or newer model, I’d stick with the Expedition since GM introduced cylinder deactivation that can ruin engines.
We had a '97 and an '01 Expedition. The '97 was reliable, but the '01 had a transmission failure at 202,000 miles.
Just to clarify, the spark plug blowout issue was more common on 2003 and older models.
Newer 5.4 engines have spark plug issues too, but instead of blowing out, they get stuck and can break during removal.
Yeah, totally opposite problems but still a hassle to deal with.
Makes sense. Both issues can get pricey to fix though.
Thanks for the info. I’ve read about the issues with the 5.4 Triton, especially the spark plugs and coils. But at $4k, would it still be worth it if there aren’t any current engine problems?
Depends on what you need it for. If it’s a daily driver you want to last 10 years, probably not. If it’s just for fun or occasional towing, it might be worth considering.
My grandpa had a 5.4 Expedition and used it to tow his boat every weekend. The engine didn’t last long.
What kind of boat are we talking about?
Something like this 26-footer. It was heavy!
Spark plug problems can often be avoided with regular maintenance, but oil sludge issues are trickier. If the engine wasn’t maintained perfectly, it might already have damage you can’t fix.
Another concern is oil sludge buildup. If they don’t have complete service records, I’d pass. Unless you enjoy replacing engines, of course.
By 2005, the Expedition only came with the 3-valve 5.4. Besides the spark plug issues, those engines also had head problems. If you buy it, change the plugs immediately and stick to regular oil changes with the right weight oil. Avoid short trips and don’t baby the engine. Otherwise, I’d skip it because replacing these engines is ridiculously expensive.