Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 315 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Ford Expedition, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 32 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 30 | 10% |
| Engine | 27 | 9% |
| Vehicle speed control | 23 | 7% |
| Power train | 22 | 7% |
| Fuel system | 19 | 6% |
| Structure | 13 | 4% |
| Air bags | 9 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 7 | 2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was notified
NHTSA complaint: Engine
COOPER TIRES 265/70/17 DISCOVERER M+S. BELT SEPARATION AND TIRE DEFORMITY ON 3 OF 4 TIRES IN THE LAST 1000 MILES. 2 FAILED WITHIN THE LAST 200 MILES. IN MOTION, HIGHWAY. . SEVERE VIBRATION OCCURRED. (THINK PAINT MIXE
NHTSA complaint: Tires
MY TRUCK LOST ALL FORWARD GEARS EXCEPT FOR REVERSE OUT OF THE BLUE THE OTHER MORNING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE HOME. VALVE BODY, SERVOS, SOLENOIDS, HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND STILL HAS NOT CORRECTED THE ISSUE. THE VEHICAL HAS
NHTSA complaint: Power train
MY CAR AT TIMES WILL GIVE A HARD START. TURNING, BUT NOT FULLY TURNING OVER OR GIVES OFF A SOUND THAT I CAN ONLY DESCRIBE AS AN ELEPHANT TRUMPETING. WHEN IT DOES START AT TIMES IT WILL SHUT COMPLETELY OFF JUST AS FAST. I
NHTSA complaint: Power train
THE CAR TURNS OFF. I NEED TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK WAIT A FEW MINUTES THEN TURN THE CAR BACK ON AND IT WORKS. THE BAD THING IS IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND MY CAR LITERALLY SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING.. I COASTED TO THE SIDE AND I TURNED OFF CAR.. TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON AND IT KEPT CRANKING AND I KEPT DOING IT L
NHTSA complaint: Steering
CRANK NO START, AFTER REPLACED NEW FUEL PUMP, FILTER AND OTHER PARTS WOULD NOT START AND NOT GETTING FUEL. WAS IN MOTION AND DIED AFTER MAKING A RIGHT TURN AFTER FILLING FUEL TANK.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
MY GEAR SHIFT BROKE WHICH BROKE THE STEERING COLUMN AND I FEEL LIKE THIS IS DEFAULTED SYSTEM SO DO FORD BECAUSE DID CONTINUE THIS STEERING COLUMN SO I HAD TO REPLACE IT WITH ONE FROM JUNK YARD SO HOW IS THAT SAFE FOR ME
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2005 Ford Expedition. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE
Risk: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
| Reliability raw | 63 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 69 | good |
| Maintenance | 60 | average |
| Depreciation | 39 | below average |
| Performance | 78 | good |
| Efficiency | 27 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 315 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 32 of them (10%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 63/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 69/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 58/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.