Essentially being on sales in its third generation avatar since 2007, the Ford Expedition has got enough of what in ‘life span’ is needed to sort everything wrong with a vehicle. Ford has done a decent job on it and the low 64 user complaints and zero official recalls recorded on this fullsize SUV's name for 2012, further prove our point here. Though minor complaints do pop up occasionally, they are mostly seen at high mileages, and chances of them being deal breakers are very limited. So does this make the $36,205 expedition one of the top reliable choices this year? This section clearly discusses all things wrong that one needs to watch out for in the 2011 Ford Expedition if you have plans on buying one. As it stands, the primary rivals of this SUV, as always are the Chevrolet Tahoe, the Toyota Sequoia, and the Nissan Armada.
2011 Ford Expedition User Complaints and Problems
Mechanical Complaints
- Engine problems- Though generally reliable, few things can go wrong with the 5.4L V8 on the 2011 Ford Expedition. One such problem seen here is a faulty MAF sensor. Poor economy, rough idling, and hesitation while rolling off combined with an engine warning light are indications of this part failing. Secondly, the EGR valve can get clogged by gradual suit to build up and result in loss of power and knocking. VCT solenoid failure is also another less common issue with might result in rough idling and poor engine performance. Most problems reported here are high mileage issues and the average failure mileage is around 125,000 miles.
- Transmission Problems- Some units of the 6-speed automatic unit employed on the 2011 Ford Expedition do tend to slip, shudder and grind with the mileage. The internal actuators and lock-up clutches are also common fault and wear points. Transmission failures are rare but if diagnosed, rebuilds are said to cost anywhere between $2,500 and $3,000 on these trucks.
- Service brake- Premature front brake warping is an issue reported by many 2011 Ford Expedition owners. This can result in excessive vibration or squealing noise while braking. If the runout on the discs is measured to be over the allowable limits, the discs cannot be machined (skimmed) and require to be replaced.
Electric System complaints
- Fuel pump failure- High mileage examples of the 2011 Ford Expedition tend to develop issues with the fuel lift pump. A no-start condition or hesitation/ stalling on accelerations with an engine malfunction light are indications of this problem. The error code diagnosed is P2133 which could point at a faulty fuel pump or the fuel pump control module, which would need a replacement. The fuel pump also has issues with the fuel level gauge which does cause erratic or no fuel level indication on the fuel gauge.
Structural Complaints
- Air suspension problems- Air strut and air compressor failure are some issues to look out for on the 2011 Ford Expedition with high mileage. The diagnostic code related to this issue is C1725. Apart from the failure of the aforementioned components general air leak and control valve failure can also result in suspension problems. Sagging and height adjustment failures are some indications of a faulty air-ride unit.
- Paint issues- Owners have reported seeing excessive paint bubbling and peeling on the 2011 Ford Expedition, especially on aluminum surfaces such as the hood and the tailgate. The reason stated for the occurrence of this issue is due to the iron contamination of the panels prior to them being coated or painted during manufacturing.
- Front headrest- The awkward angle at which the front headrest on the 2011 Ford Expedition reportedly causes excessive neck pain. This general design flaw has been a point of discussion and is something made clear to the manufacturer. The owners are finding their own workarounds for these problems by bending the headrest stay rods in the absence of any official support on this issue.
2011 Ford Expedition Recalls
There are no recalls for the 2011 Ford Expedition as of now.
Should you buy a used 2011 Ford Expedition?
Being the only fullsize SUV this year to sport zero recalls and also clock the least number of customer complaints, the Ford Expedition is one utility beast that is worth considering buying. With no known major fault points, the 2011 Ford Expedition does come out as an easy 200,000-mile SUV with multiple examples in the used car market clocking these mileages. The overall JD power ratings do come out decent, which, combined with the low complaint number makes this SUV a decent pick this year. As usual, used vehicle buyers must be aware of the shortcomings mentioned in the article and approach with caution to avoid expensive repairs down the line.
