What is the best year for a Ford Expedition?

Avoid 2017-2019, which logged 350, 351, and 432 complaints respectively. The 2023 Expedition (56 complaints, 10/10 safety, 8 severe) is the strongest mature used pick. 2025 (21 complaints) is even cleaner but very recent. The 2022-2024 window reflects significant improvement from the troubled prior generation.

How much does Ford Expedition insurance cost?

Expedition insurance averages around $2,681/year — roughly $223/month. The highest insurance rate in the fullsize class.

Is the Ford Expedition or Chevrolet Suburban cheaper to maintain?

The Expedition is cheaper to maintain by $83/year — $861 versus $944 for the Suburban. The Expedition also has significantly lower repair frequency (25% vs. 51%). Both carry the same reliability score and major repair probability. The Expedition is the better maintenance value.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Ford Expedition?

Repair frequency of 25% is the lowest in the fullsize segment — a meaningful positive. Major repair probability at the class average. Not a strong warranty case for 2022+ models. For 2017-2019 used models, documented complaint spikes make coverage worth considering.

Is the Chevrolet Suburban expensive to maintain?

The Suburban costs $944/year to maintain — $160 above the fullsize segment average of $784. Repair frequency of 51% is above the class average of 40%. Reliability score of 6 and major repair probability of 15% both sit at segment averages. It's the most expensive model in the fullsize segment to maintain.

What is the best year for a Chevrolet Suburban?

Meaningful complaint data only exists from 2021 onward in our records. The 2024 Suburban (35 complaints, 8/10 safety, 0 severe) is the cleanest year on record. The 2021 new-generation launch had 173 complaints, improving steadily through 2022-2024. For used buying, 2024 is the strongest pick.

How much does Chevrolet Suburban insurance cost?

Suburban insurance averages around $2,542/year — roughly $212/month.

Is the Chevrolet Suburban or Ford Expedition cheaper to maintain?

The Expedition is cheaper to maintain by $83/year — $861 versus $944 for the Suburban. The Expedition also has significantly lower repair frequency (25% vs. 51%). Both carry the same reliability score and major repair probability. On total maintenance value, the Expedition holds a clear edge.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Chevrolet Suburban?

Repair frequency of 51% above the class average, combined with a $944 annual maintenance cost, makes extended warranty worth considering — particularly for used models. Containing the cost of more frequent unscheduled visits is where coverage earns its value here.

Ford Expedition vs Chevrolet Suburban

Two fullsize SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Ford Expedition to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Chevrolet Suburban if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Ford Expedition	Chevrolet Suburban
Annual maintenance	$861winner	$944
5-year total cost	$4,305winner	$4,720
Reliability score	6 / 10	6 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	15%	15%
Cargo space	108.5 cu ft	144.5 cu ftwinner
Starting price (new)	$63,400winner	$66,000
Best years to buy	—	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Ford Expedition	Chevrolet Suburban
RepairPal score	6 / 10	6 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	272.2	0winner
Years to avoid	2010, 2014, 2017	2021, 2022, 2023
Value retained · 3 yr	68.4%	—
Value retained · 5 yr	47.4%	49.6%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	33.7%	—

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Ford Expedition	Chevrolet Suburban
Engine	18.2%winner	48.9%
Electrical	10.0%	5.7%winner
ADAS	8.0%	5.9%winner
Brakes	6.4%	2.8%winner
Suspension	2.0%	—winner
Fuel system	2.3%winner	6.1%
Tires/Wheels	—winner	1.9%
Glass/Windows	2.5%	1.4%winner
Airbags	2.5%winner	2.8%
Lighting	1.7%winner	1.9%
Seatbelt	3.4%	2.4%winner

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Ford Expedition	Chevrolet Suburban
Avg annual premium	$2,681	$2,542winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Ford Expedition

$861/yr maint · 6 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Chevrolet Suburban

$944/yr maint · 6 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Expedition costs $861/year to maintain — $77 above the fullsize segment average of $784. Repair frequency of 25% is well below the class average of 40% — the lowest in the fullsize segment. Reliability score of 6 and major repair probability of 15% both match segment averages. Above-average cost, but meaningfully lower repair frequency than most fullsize rivals.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →