Because existing sources of auto reliability information left much to be desired, in late 2005 I started conducting my own reliability research at TrueDelta.com. TrueDelta reports absolute stats like "trips to the shop" that make the differences between cars much clearer. Results are updated four times a year, so any significant changes in a model's reliability become apparent quickly.

So far 122 Expedition owners have signed up to participate. A good start, but many more remain needed.

Participants simply report repairs the month after they occur on a one-page survey. When there are no repairs, they simply report an approximate odometer reading four times a year, at the end of each quarter.

To encourage participation, panel members receive full access to the results for free.

For the details, and to sign up to help out:

Vehicle reliability research

 

The 2003 Expedition is now in the main survey, and other years are getting close.

Help get your model year into the results:

Vehicle reliability research

 

230 owners now signed up. Three model years are now included in the survey, and two others are close. We should have the first results next month.

Help get your year included in the results:

Car reliability research

 

Just letting you know I just signed up

 

Thanks, I appreciate it.

We've posted a result for one model year of the Expedition, the 2003. With a repair frequency of 83 successful repair trips per year per 100 vehicles, it's about average.

This is based on a very small sample size. With more participants we could provide precise results and cover all model years.

A big thanks to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in November and February.

Ford Expedition reliability comparisons

 

We've posted a result for one model year of the Expedition, the 2003. With a repair frequency of 83 successful repair trips per year per 100 vehicles, it's about average.

This is based on a very small sample size. With more participants we could provide precise results and cover all model years.

A big thanks to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in February and May.

Ford Expedition reliability comparisons

 

We've posted an updated result for one model year of the Expedition, the 2003, that includes owner experiences through December 31, 2009. With a repair frequency of 69 repair trips per year per 100 vehicles, it's about average.

This is based on a very small sample size.

We'll have further updates in May and August. With more participants we could provide precise results and cover all model years.

Ford Expedition reliability comparisons

 

Just enhanced the related repair history survey so that it can (optionally) be used as a personal car maintenance record.

As always, more participants would be helpful. Updated Car Reliability Survey results in May, with a preview for participants in mid-April.

Car reliability research

 

Updated results in a week or two.

Some model years continue to fall just a few responses short of the minimum for a result. So even a few more participants per model year would be very helpful.

 

We've posted an updated result for one model year of the Expedition, the 2003, that includes owner experiences through March 31, 2010. With a repair frequency of 71 repair trips per year per 100 vehicles, it remains about average.

This is based on a very small sample size.

We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants we could provide more precise results and cover all model years.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help make these results possible:

Ford Expedition reliability comparisons