Which year should I buy?

Hello, I currently own a 2016 Ford Exp Limited. I love it but I have had many engine problems, including a total transmission breakdown last year on my way back from Florida. I love everything about the expedition but I have had so many engine problems. I want to buy another one, but I’m hesitant. I’m comparing it against a suburban. I’m looking at the 2019 through 2021 Ford expeditions. Any thoughts to help me decide? I don’t know much about cars.

@firewoman , welcome to the Forum!
I'm not the expert but can say I have a 2020 and it has been a great vehicle for me (but I'm pretty low mileage). It will be interesting to hear what others have to say.

firewoman said:

I’m comparing it against a suburban

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FYI....

My brother purchased a top of the line '24 Suburban & Tahoe last year and seemed happy with them....until, at my urging, he test drove an Expy....after which he traded them in for 2x Expy's in Feb, and won't stop thanking me for the suggestion !

When I asked him why he didn't consider the Fords in the 1st place, he said the wife preferred GM vehicles, as that's what she had driven all her life....and now they have to play "rock-paper-scissors" to determine who drives which Ford each day (1 is red, the other is Blue)....

Just about every year has potential issues, from early spark plug threads, to cam/roller followers, to cam phasers, to turbos/wastegates, to 10sp trans problems. I don't really think there are any "bulletproof" years, unfortunately.

mr_dave said:

Just about every year has potential issues, from early spark plug threads, to cam/roller followers, to cam phasers, to turbos/wastegates, to 10sp trans problems. I don't really think there are any "bulletproof" years, unfortunately.

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Trudat, but from what I've seen here, the cam followers & turbos seem to be the worst of them, so I would just avoid any models that have them

And my bro hasn't had a single issue with either of his 24's (other than the 3 days it took for him & his wife to figure out all the electronics & other gizmos), but their still young, so time will tell

I've put nearly 300k on 3 of our 4 Xps without a single engine problem. But all were 5.4. I didn't want that new engine. Although I ended up with one in a Lincoln.

In looking at the 1st revision of Gen IV, I went for the 2021 to at least reduce my chances of the cam phaser issue (supposed to be fixed by late 2020). The tranny issues seem to have been reduced by 2023 and beyond, but that jumps into a whole different price bracket.

I also went with an XLT - it lacks some of the cool features, but to me was represented less potential maintenance by lacking the moonroof, and some of the other expensive parts to replace ($1k taillight vs $350). Upgraded from a regular wheelbase length to the MAX - which is great for the highway and troop transport, but is a little bit of pain finding parking in the city.

I love driving my 2021, though the cloud of the transmission issues hanging over me takes a little away from the experience.. I always felt like my 2008 was a relative beast (ran it to 220k miles).