Used 2015–2020 Ford Expedition in League City, TX
Eight seats, a real tow rating, and room for the whole crew and the cooler. Here's how to choose the right one.
READY TO HAUL
Expeditions in stock
RECENTLY SOLD
Expeditions that went home with families
SOLD2015 Ford Expedition Platinum
139,620 miles
SOLD2015 Ford Expedition EL XLT 4x4
132,651 miles
Clean title on every vehicle. Each one is inspected by our mechanics before we buy it, re-inspected on our lot, and inspected independently before sale.
Standard or EL, and what to inspect under the hood
Two lengths
The standard Expedition fits in most League City garages and is easier to park at Baybrook. The long version, called the EL through 2017 and the MAX from 2018, adds length, and most of it goes to cargo space behind the third row. If you regularly fill all eight seats and still need room for strollers or coolers, get the long one. If the third row is for occasional use, the standard is easier to live with.
Three generations of engine
- Through 2014: the 5.4L V8. Listen to a cold start before anything else, and ask for the timing-chain and spark-plug service history.
- 2015–2017: the 3.5L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, paired with a 6-speed automatic. It has much more torque for towing. Ask for oil-change records, since a turbo engine's timing components depend on clean oil.
- 2018–2020+: the second-generation 3.5L EcoBoost with the 10-speed automatic, in a lighter aluminum body. Ford's TSB 21-2119, later superseded by TSB 23-2143, covers 2018–2020 Expeditions built through late 2019. On these, a worn cam-timing (VCT) unit can make a ticking or rattle from the front of the engine for 2–5 seconds after sitting six hours or more. Some may also fail to restart in auto start-stop. The repair is replacing all four VCT units. Ford also ran a cam-phaser extended-coverage program, 21N03, that has since expired. Our in-stock 2020 Limited has this engine. Ask us about its cold-start check.
Whatever the year, run the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup. Open safety recalls are repaired free at a Ford dealer.
Towing to the bay
A properly equipped Expedition is rated well above most family boats. Per Ford's towing guides, a 2015 Expedition is rated up to 9,200 lb with the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package, which is required above 6,600 lb (2015 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide). For 2019, the standard-length Expedition is rated up to 9,300 lb and the MAX up to 9,000 lb, depending on axle and package (2019 Expedition towing selector). Use the exact vehicle's tow rating from its door-jamb sticker and manual, not a brochure maximum. If you launch at Clear Lake Park or Galveston, rinse the underbody and hitch afterward. Salt water is what kills trailer wiring and brake lines.
Test-drive checklist
- Cold start after the SUV has sat overnight: listen for a 2–5 second ticking or rattle from the front of the engine (the VCT/cam-phaser symptom in TSB 23-2143).
- Power running boards (Limited, Platinum, King Ranch). Motors fail and are expensive. Make sure they deploy and retract at every door.
- Third-row power fold, the liftgate, and AC to the rear seats. Rear AC on these is a big deal in July.
- 4x4 engagement on 4x4 models. Shift into 4H on a gravel lot and listen for clunks.
- If it has rear load-leveling or air suspension, look for sagging after the SUV sits overnight.
Maintenance milestones
Follow the schedule in that Expedition's owner's manual (Ford owner manuals). Towing, heat and idling put it in Ford's "special operating conditions" column, which has shorter intervals.
- Oil: change it when the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor calls for it, or sooner when towing.
- Spark plugs, transfer case and axle fluids, transmission fluid and coolant: at the intervals the manual lists, using the towing column if you tow.
- Brakes and tires: a heavy SUV that tows goes through both faster than a car does, so budget for them.
Running costs to plan for
An Expedition costs more to run than a mid-size SUV, and an honest budget helps. Check the EPA rating for the exact year on fueleconomy.gov. Real-world mileage drops when towing. A full set of tires for the larger wheels on Limited and Platinum trims costs more than for a sedan, so check the tread depth and date codes on the test drive. Rotors and pads wear faster on a heavy SUV that tows, especially in the stop-and-go traffic between Hwy 3 and I-45. Factor those costs into the purchase decision so the payment you're comfortable with stays comfortable.
Trims
XL/XLT are work-ready and the best value. Limited adds leather and options. The Texas Edition packages, like our in-stock Limited, add appearance and convenience features. King Ranch and Platinum are the luxury trims. On a high-mileage luxury trim, budget for the extra electronics.
Keep reading
FAQ
Questions buyers ask
What's the difference between an Expedition EL and MAX?
It's the same idea under a different name. The long-wheelbase version was called the EL through 2017 and the MAX starting in 2018.
Which Expedition years have the EcoBoost?
2015 and newer. Before 2015, Expeditions used the 5.4L V8. 2018–2020 EcoBoosts built through late 2019 are covered by Ford's cam-timing bulletin (TSB 23-2143).
Can an Expedition tow my boat?
Most family boats are fine. Check the tow rating on that specific vehicle's door sticker and manual, since it varies by year and package.
Expedition or Suburban?
Both seat eight and tow. See our Tahoe/Suburban 5.3L guide if you're cross-shopping.