2018 Ford Expedition — Carivo review carivo.co
SUV

2018 Ford Expedition

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $46,809–$58,059
Fuel Economy 13 MPG
Seating 8 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $4,038/yr

Key Specifications — 2018 Ford Expedition

Seating Capacity8 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$46,809–$58,059

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2018 Ford Expedition

With an overall Carivo score of 7.1/10, the 2018 Ford Expedition earns a Good rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.2/10, while Reliability at 6.6/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We rate reliability at 6.6/10 — below the segment average in our scoring. Budget for potentially higher maintenance costs and check the recall record below before buying. On safety it earns 8.2/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.

Performance lands mid-pack at 7.1/10: enough power and composure for everyday needs, without the dynamics that distinguish the segment's driver-focused options. Technology scores 6.9/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.

Priced from $46,809–$58,059, 13 MPG, seating 8, the Ford Expedition sits in the premium tier of the suv category. The value score of 6.7/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 8 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Bottom line: There's a case for the 2018 Ford Expedition, but it needs the right buyer. Its technology and value and reliability scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among SUVs

The 2018 Ford Expedition ranks #1814 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 26% of the segment. Its 7.1/10 overall score is 0.3 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $46,809 starting price is about 30% above the segment's median of $36,079.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →

Which Expedition Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2015 Ford Expedition scores 6.9/10 — within striking distance of the 2018's 7.1 — and starts roughly $5,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 7.4/10$58,797 Read review →
2025 7.4/10$58,797 Read review →
2024 7.4/10$57,085 Read review →
2023 7.3/10$55,372 Read review →
2022 7.4/10$53,659 Read review →
2021 7.2/10$51,947 Read review →
2020 7.1/10$50,234 Read review →
2019 7.1/10$48,522 Read review →
2018 (this review) 7.1/10$46,809
2017 7.1/10$45,097 Read review →
2016 7.1/10$43,384 Read review →
2015 6.9/10$41,672 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2018 Ford Expedition

✓ What it does well

  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
  • Driving dynamics are adequate but uninspiring; not the choice for enthusiast drivers
  • Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra
  • Fuel economy at 13 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly

NHTSA Recalls — 2018 Ford Expedition (12 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Fuel pump
12/06/2018 · 18V392000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Expedition, F-150, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI V6 engines. These vehicles have high pressure fuel pump assemblies with welds that can fracture, which may cause an oil or…
Seats / Mid/rear assembly
14/11/2018 · 18V805000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Expedition vehicles. The second row center seat track assemblies may be missing one or both of the J-Channel reinforcement brackets, possibly allowing the seat to move in the…
Seats / Mid/rear assembly
01/12/2017 · 17V775000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Expedition vehicles. The second row outboard seats may have excessive forward adjustment capability and/or may have an improperly installed bolt that secures the seat back to the seat base. As such,…
Power train / Automatic transmission
04/04/2018 · 18V213000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-150 and 2018 Ford Expedition and Mustang and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions. A roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, potentially…
Visibility / Power window devices and controls
16/01/2018 · 18V058000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The second row window control modules may intermittently stop the movement of the power window. If something, such as a finger, is pinched by the window…

Showing 5 of 12 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.

More Ford Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Ford models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.