Summary
- The 2008 Ford Expedition offers a reliable 5.4-liter V-8 engine that can withstand high mileage without major repairs, making it a good buy if well-maintained.
- While the SUV has a high fuel consumption, it depreciated significantly over the years, making it a more affordable option on the used car market.
- Potential buyers should beware of paint bubbling and corrosion on the aluminum hood or tailgate, as well as confirm proper maintenance of the engine, transmission, and steering through service records.
The 2008 Ford Expedition was part of the nameplate’s third generation. Introduced by Ford in 2006 for the 2007 model year, all variants of the 2008 Expedition – XLT, Eddie Bauer, Limited, and King Ranch – featured a 5.4-liter V-8 mill churning out 300 horsepower and 365 pound-feet. The full-size SUV had a second and third row of seats that folded to increase cargo space. Also, when appropriately equipped, it could tow up to 9,200 pounds.
At a time when traditional full-size SUV sales were falling, Ford offered plenty of standard equipment with the Expedition to attract customers, including all major safety equipment, auxiliary air-conditioning, and a keyless entry keypad. The current-gen Ford Expedition is popular but also quite pricey. Therefore, you may be tempted to go for the much cheaper 2008 model. Here’s everything you need to know about it, including reliability and pricing.
This guide provides comprehensive information provided by the manufacturer. Top Speed sourced additional data for maintenance costs (RepairPal), reliability (Carsurvey.org, J.D. Power), sales statistics (goodcarbadcar) and average prices (Edmunds).
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Maintenance And Repairs
The annual cost of maintaining a 2008 Ford Expedition is $737, per the experts at RepairPal. Therefore, it won’t cost you much to keep your 2008 Expedition in running order. RepairPal adds that as the Expedition rarely suffers from severe breakdowns, it seldom needs major and expensive repairs.
Most Common 2008 Ford Expedition Problems Reported
- Malfunctioning blower motor
- Overheating
- Changing A/C fan speed
- Ignition coil failure
- Burdensome spark plug removal
- Check engine light after stalling
Despite being one of the most reliable Ford engines ever built, the 5.4-liter Triton V-8 powering the 2008 Expedition suffered from various reliability issues, including spark plug malfunction and overheating. Carbon accumulated on the spark plug tips faster than expected, forcing frequent spark plug replacement. To make matters worse, the spark plugs resisted removal, turning an often simple job into a laborious activity.
2008 Ford Expedition Repairs And Pricing Info
|
Repair |
Pricing |
|---|---|
|
Heater hose |
$649 – $673 |
|
MAP sensor |
$119 – $140 |
|
Air suspension’s air compressor |
$631 – $655 |
|
Thermostat |
$552 – $574 |
|
U-Joint |
$153 – $196 |
|
Backup warning system sensor |
$358 – $380 |
(Data: RepairPal)
Ford produced and sold the third-generation Expedition for over a decade, meaning there are plenty of replacement parts for the 2008 model. Parts for the 2008 Expedition are offered in many marketplaces, including Ford’s online parts marketplace. If you prefer aftermarket parts or want to mod your full-size SUV, there are plenty of accessories available, including custom grilles, off-road bumpers, headlights, and body kits.
2008 Ford Expedition Recalls And Safety Investigations
|
Date |
NHTSA ID Number |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
03/23/2010 |
10V113000 |
Wheelchair lifts/interlock belt |
|
04/11/2008 |
08V166000 |
Tire pressure |
|
02/05/2008 |
08V058000 |
Side door interior door handles |
|
12/13/2007 |
07E105000 |
ABS and ESC control modules |
|
11/21/2007 |
07V541000 |
Driver airbag |
(Data: NHTSA)
Five NHTSA recalls affected the 2008 Expedition, the first of which involved a fault in the driver’s airbag. The agency noted that the fault could prevent deployment of the driver’s airbag following an accident. The second, and perhaps most concerning, recall involved a reduction in brake force caused by the restricted flow of brake fluid. Before buying a 2008 Ford Expedition, confirm via the NHTSA website whether it was affected by any of the recalls above and whether the fault was repaired.
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Reliability, Running Costs, And Expected Mileage
The 2008 Ford Expedition’s reliability score on J.D. Power is a pretty decent 75/100. Most Expedition owners on Carsurvey.org praise the SUV’s reliability and quality, with one saying that the trim, as well as the chrome wheels and the paint, on his extensively driven example has generally held up well.
2008 Ford Expedition Reliability Rating: 9/10
The three 2008 Ford Expedition owners who’ve reviewed the SUV on Carsurvey.org have given the vehicle an average reliability score of 9/10:
|
Owner Review Date |
Score |
|---|---|
|
09/23/2016 |
10/10 |
|
12/23/2012 |
7/10 |
|
03/09/2008 |
10/10 |
(Data: Carsurvey.org)
The Expedition would have received a perfect rating were it not for one reviewer who gave the SUV a 7/10 reliability score. Describing the family hauler as ‘very good’, the owner praised its comfort and handling but criticized the model’s expensive brakes, which he replaced at around the 72,000-mile mark. The reviewer described letting go of the Expedition as a sad occasion.
2008 Ford Expedition Running Costs: 4/10
2008 Expedition owners on Carsurvey.com have expressed disappointment at the SUV’s running costs, giving it a mean rating of 4/10:
|
Owner Review Date |
Score |
|---|---|
|
09/23/2016 |
1/10 |
|
12/23/2012 |
6/10 |
|
03/09/2008 |
5/10 |
(Data: Carsurvey.org)
The SUV’s poor running cost rating most likely stems from its poor fuel consumption metrics. Per the EPA, the ‘08 Ford Expedition has a combined fuel efficiency rating of 14 MPG (12 MPG city/18 MPG highway). The 2008 Expedition was one among a number of inefficient full-size SUVs. Since then, automakers have found ways to improve efficiency without impacting performance: here’s a list of the most frugal mid-size SUVs available today.
2008 Ford Expedition Highest Miles Reported: 300,134
The 2008 Expedition features one of Ford’s most durable and reliable engines, as evidenced by the mileage reports posted on Carsurvey.org:
|
Owner Review Date |
Miles Reported |
|---|---|
|
09/23/2016 |
300,134 miles |
|
12/23/2012 |
82,000 miles |
|
03/09/2008 |
2,500 miles |
(Data: Carsurvey.org)
The reviewer who reported that his 2008 Expedition had done over 300,000 miles described the SUV as the best car he’d ever owned. He stated that the only things he’d replaced were a cheap cam sensor, an interior door handle, and the tires. The review shows that a well-maintained ‘08 Expedition can do hundreds of thousands of miles without major repairs.
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Pricing And Values
Valuation Highlights
|
Model |
XLT |
Eddie Bauer |
Limited |
King Ranch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
#1 Concours Condition |
$4,847 |
$5,165 |
$5,364 |
$6,235 |
|
#2 Excellent Condition |
$4,553 |
$4,852 |
$5,038 |
$5,857 |
|
#3 Good Condition |
$4,063 |
$4,329 |
$4,496 |
$5,226 |
|
#4 Fair Condition |
$3,426 |
$3,650 |
$3,791 |
$4,407 |
|
Original Base MSRP |
$31,345 |
$36,590 |
$38,750 |
$40,690 |
|
MSRP Adjusted For Inflation |
$46,159 |
$53,883 |
$57,064 |
$59,921 |
(Data: Edmunds)
The 2008 Ford Expedition has depreciated a lot since it premiered in mid-2007. A well-maintained King Ranch variant, which cost around $40,000 new in 2007, will cost you around $6,200. Ford Expedition sales plummeted in 2007, falling even further in 2008. Nevertheless, there’s no shortage of ‘08 Expedition examples on the used car market.
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What To Look For Before Buying A 2008 Ford Expedition
The 2008 Ford Expedition is a fairly modern vehicle, though you will have to get used to outdated tech. It scores highly in reliability metrics, has readily available replacement parts, and features an engine capable of hitting 300,000 miles. Nevertheless, you need to watch out for the following before purchasing one.
Paint Bubbling And Corrosion
An issue that affected the 2008 Expedition was paint bubbling on the aluminum hood or tailgate. After bubbling, the paint would peel off, leaving the aluminum layer exposed, which led to corrosion. Aluminum doesn’t rust; it corrodes. Corroded aluminum has a powdery white coating of aluminum oxide on top. Therefore, check for indications of paint bubbling or corrosion on the hood or liftgate.
Engine, Steering, And Transmission
Request service records to confirm that the Expedition’s V-8 was taken care of properly. It can only do hundreds of thousands of miles if maintained properly. Also, during the test drive, monitor the transmission’s performance and the steering wheel’s behavior.
Accident Damage
As you would do with any other used car, check for signs of accident damage. They include unmatching paint, leaking fluids, and inconsistent panels. Hire a professional to help you inspect the car before purchase.
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Is The 2008 Ford Expedition Worth Buying?
The 2008 Ford Expedition is worth buying. It offers the same seating as a fourth-gen Expedition and arguably looks better than the current model. The Expedition also features a 5.4-liter V-8 (the current Expedition only comes with a frugal and long-lasting EcoBoost V-6); not just any V-8, but one of the toughest ever built by Ford. The cherry on top is that it costs a fraction of its original MSRP.
You will have to get used to frequent stops for gas – the Expedition’s V-8 is very thirsty. If you maintain your car as required, it will cover many miles without needing significant repairs. The 2008 Ford Expedition is a good buy, but only if you get a well-maintained example.
