Hey, we just had twins and already have older toddlers. We’re looking for a bigger car and the Expedition Max seems like a good fit after some research and test drives. We need 4wd because we live in a mountainous area that gets some snow.
We have a budget of about $40-45k. I’ve seen some horror stories about transmission issues in 18-20 models, and I heard the problems didn’t get better until the 2023 models. There are a couple of 2023 blue-certified former rental vehicles with around 60k miles that fit our budget, but I’m worried about how rentals have been driven. Alternatively, I could look at a 2020 or 2021 with similar or slightly higher mileage but much better per-year usage for closer to $35k.
The 2023 models have slightly nicer features, but I just want to avoid any major transmission issues. Would love to hear any advice. Thanks in advance!
I have a 2019, bought brand new. We got a Ford ESP, and thank goodness we did, or we’d be over $20,000 in repairs by now. I would never buy this car again. It’s scary when the car shifts from 10th to 1st gear while you’re driving on the interstate, especially with kids in the car. We’ve had the cam phaser fixed once, but they need replacing again. The AC broke, the wheel bearings failed, and the transmission went out. I don’t trust it or feel safe driving it. The ESP saved us money, but it didn’t give peace of mind.
I would never buy an ex-rental, especially an Expedition. In 2024, I drove over 13k miles in rentals, half of them were Expeditions. I wouldn’t buy one from a rental company.
A late 2023 or 2024 model will have the updated CDF bushing in the transmission. Anything you can get covered with an ESP from Flood or Granger seems like a solid bet.
I recently bought a used 2022 Max from Enterprise for similar reasons (prayers to you and your family). It had about 60k miles, and I made sure it was manufactured after August 2022 based on advice from others. I chose Enterprise because they offer a 7-day money-back guarantee and a 1-year powertrain warranty. I took it to my local dealer for a used car inspection. It cost a few hundred bucks, but it was worth it for peace of mind. The dealer couldn’t find any issues and said the truck was in great shape. From what I read, Enterprise keeps the best cars from their fleet to sell themselves, and sends the rest to places like CarMax. I’ve had it for a few months and so far, no problems.
I drove a 2023 Ford Expedition Limited rental for 12 days while my car was in the shop, and I wasn’t impressed. The ride was rough and loud, and you could tell it had wear and tear. It was clear it needed maintenance—creaky joints and a worn-out interior.
I’ve heard that 2019 Expeditions are considered a standout year. People who have driven both newer models and the 2019s often say they prefer the older version.
Ford and GM share the same 10-speed transmission, which is used to cut costs. From 2021 onward, these transmissions are pretty much the same, and they seem to have fewer issues compared to the engines.
That said, I’d never buy a rental car. The rental I drove had 65,000 miles, which is like 300 different people driving it for 216 miles each. You could tell it had been through a lot. Not saying other owners wouldn’t maintain their cars, but buying a rental feels like a big red flag.
@Kamden
And, of course, right after I posted this, I read a bad review about a 2019. lol, sorry. Definitely get an aftermarket warranty that covers the engine and transmission, whatever you do.