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 146 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Ford Expedition, and it carries 4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 29 | 20% |
| Service brakes | 13 | 9% |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 9 | 6% |
| Power train | 8 | 5% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 4% |
| Suspension | 4 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 3% |
| Tires | 4 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Right Rear Rancho Strut failed. Available till I return it. Could have lost control of vehicle. Confirmed by mechanic. Inspected by mechanic. No warnings at all. Discovered issue Feb 2026. Installed June 2021.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
I purchased this vehicle in March 2023 from a private owner from Craigslist that was listed at 130,000 miles. I’m currently in the process of selling and found out through a car history report that my vehicle passed an e
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The brake is so far left, it is unsafe to drive. It is in the position the clutch would in an a Manual transmission and my right foot has trouble moving that far over and its unsafe to use my left as i'm never braked wi
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
Since I have owned this vehicle when ever you fill up with fuel when the gas pump clicks off fuel spews back out the filler tube. I have asked dealers if anyone else has this problem and am told no. I believe this is a s
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
When filling the gas tank, even at the slowest setting on the gas pump, when the pump clicks to indicate the tank is full, 5 seconds later the tank burps fuel everywhere and the tank is only 3/4 full. The fumes are a sa
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
I received a 2008 Expedition Eddie Bauer edition as a birthday gift last October. By January, the passenger window completely quit working. One warm, sunny day, we decided to open the sunroof. We have never had issues wi
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
One day, out of nowhere, my dash displayed “tire pressure sensor fault”.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH downhill, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle spun out of control. The rear-end of the vehicle clipped a telephone
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2008 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.
FORD IS RECALLING 158 MY 2008 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) AND THE LIMO BUILDERS PACKAGE FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, Z"TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS." THE TIRE PRE
Risk: THE TPMS INDICATOR LIGHT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN A TIRE PRESSURE IS IS 25% BELOW THE 40 PSI VALUE STATED ON THE TIRE PLACARD LABEL OCCURS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL RECONFIGURE THE TPMS THRESHOLDS TO THE APPROPRIATE PRESSURES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
FORD IS RECALLING 123,632 MY 2007-2008 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR VEHICLES. THE DOOR HANDLE HOUSING EMBOSSMENT RETAINING THE BOTTOM OF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE SPRING ON ALL SIDE DOORS MAY FRACTURE DURING NORMAL CUSTOMER USAGE. THIS CAN RESULT IN INSUFFICIENT SPRING FORCE TO RETURN THE HANDL
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE IMPACT CRASH, THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE MAY CAUSE THE DOOR LATCH TO OPEN INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INTERIOR HANDLE SPRING ON ALL SIDE DOORS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
CERTAIN CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE ABS AND ESC CONTROL MODULES SOLD FOR INSTALLATION ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME OF THE HYDRAULIC VALVES IN THE ESC MODULE WERE BUILT WITH EXTRA CHECK BALLS.
Risk: THE EXTRA CHECK BALLS CAN RESTRICT THE FLOW OF BRAKE FLUID THROUGH THE VALVE AND CAUSE REDUCTION OF BRAKE FORCE.
Fix: EACH VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WILL FILE A DEFECT REPORT AND REMEDY PLAN FOR THEIR VEHICLES WHICH INCLUDED THESE MODULES AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. OWNERS C
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ASSEMBLED.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY PREVENT THE DRIVER AIR BAG FROM PROPERLY DEPLOYING AND REDUCE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE YOUR DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 20, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
| Reliability raw | 69 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 60 | average |
| Depreciation | 39 | below average |
| Performance | 73 | good |
| Efficiency | 27 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 146 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 29 of them (20%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 69/100 (good) 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 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 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 60/100. 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.