Are Fords Good Cars? (and Models to Avoid)

Ford’s significance in the growth of the automotive industry is like the importance of cheese on a pizza.

117-year-old, impeccable sales figures, massive growth, and many controversies, Ford has had one hell of a journey in the automotive industry.

This article will cover all the informatics about Ford cars.

Are Fords Good Cars?

Fords is a popular car brand that lasts long, isn’t expensive to maintain, and doesn’t tend to rust. One of the biggest disadvantages of this brand is reliability because, in rankings, Ford is only 20th most reliable car brand in the world (reliability ranking: 2/5).

Ford has been known to produce some of the greatest and most iconic cars in the automotive industry. But it also holds quite a lot of accusations for creating some ridiculous cars that have tonnes of problems in them.

To make things simple, let’s talk about which models to choose and which ones to avoid.

Most reliable Ford models:

2021 Ford Mustang GT: The Ford Mustang GT is a must in the list of best Ford cars to buy. This American muscle has a lot to offer – be it design or performance-packed engines. You have the option of a standard 4-cylinder turbocharged engine and a 480 hp 5.0 liter V8.

Ford Shelby GT500: If you want something more than just the standard Mustang, and if you do have a lot more (78,000 $ to be a bit accurate), the Shelby GT 500 becomes your ultimate performance thriller option. This 760 hp supercharged V8 is an acceleration beast that sets incredible quarter-mile timings for fun.
Ford Explorer: The Explorer is a full-size SUV that also features a third row of seats. Though higher models are a bit expensive, the Explorer is a well-rounded package, perfect as a family car that is meant to go the distance.
Ford Focus RS: The Focus RS has been the top dog when it comes to the hot hatchback segment. And to all the enthusiasts’ delight, the third-generation Focus RS is coming back. With a 2.3 liter four-cylinder turbo engine under its hood, churning out 350 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque, the Focus RS is a speed monster. And adding its sharp handling characteristics, the Focus RS is a joy to ride.
Ford Escape: The Escape is Ford’s bread and butter family car. This crossover attracts buyers with its styling cues, both inside as well as outside. There are four different powertrains to choose from, this includes a 181 hp 1.5 liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine, a 250 hp 4-cylinder 2.0 liter turbocharged engine, an optional hybrid, and plug-in hybrid.
Mustang Mach E: This Mustang takes environmental concerns very seriously. The styling is inspired from the Mustang GT models and it’s definitely a head-turner. The Mach E comes with the option of either a 75.7 kWh battery or a 98.8 kWh battery pack. It has two electric motors mounted on either the axles or the rear axle. Range is claimed at 305 miles from the premium trim that features real wheel drive and the 98.8 kWh battery pack.

Read it: 10 Worst Diesel Engines that will Ruin Your Budget

Least reliable Ford models:

Ford F-150 2021: I never thought that I would recommend someone not to buy a F-150, because it’s such a capable truck. But for the 2021 F-150, things haven’t been going that well. Rusting problems, structural issues, problems with the infotainment system, and even some problems with the powertrain were reported by several owners.
Ford Ecosport 2021: Low fuel efficiency figures, unpleasant acceleration, and poor cabin space makes buying the Ford Ecosport, not the wisest decision.
Ford Focus (2012-2016) : Never will I suggest anyone buy a used 2012-2016 Ford Focus with the DCT transmission. That gearbox was absolutely ridiculous, had tonnes of issues, and was a complete failure. Almost all the cars had issues with that transmission.
Ford Fiesta (2011-2016) : The 2011-2016 Ford Fiesta had the same DCT transmission. Combined, almost 2 million people who owned these cars wanted a replacement from Ford.
Ford F-150 (2009-2014) : The 12th generation (2009-2014) F-150 had issues of a rough running engine. The 2010 year model of the F-150 was the most troublesome.

What are the best Fords for the money? Get to know it in this post.

Do Fords Last Long?

If maintained well, an average Ford car can last well over 200,000 miles or more than 12 years. Ford longevity boils down to the models you choose. The most reliable are Ford Escape, Ford Focus, and Ford Explorer.

How Popular are Fords?

Ford is one of the most popular car brands in the world. In the US alone, Ford is being sold on average 2.400.000 times per year. However, Ford’s sales figures are decreasing each year by about 5%.

The U.S is Ford’s largest market. But when it comes to worldwide, in 2019, Ford sold over 5.4 million cars in the world. This may seem quite a large number, but actually, Ford’s sales have been decreasing since 2016. In 2016, it was more than 6.5 million units, almost 6.5 million units in 2017, and a bit less than 6 million units in 2018.

Do Fords Tend to Rust?

In general, Fords have a reputation for being rustproof car brands because of using aluminum in the body of most of its vehicles. However, users often report corrosion issues in Ford Ka and Ford Focus (sedan).

Ford Ka is a small vehicle designed to drive in the city. It has problems with corrosion, so you should stay away from it.

When it comes to Ford Focus, it’s also a rust bucket. But only the sedan version. It has mechanical and rust problems. Fortunately, it applies only to the older Ford Focus versions (1998-2004).

Also, a big blow for Ford was when many 2021 Ford F-150 owners reported problems of rust on their vehicle’s underbody parts.

Rusting, in general, is normal over time, especially if you drive on salty roads in winter. But the 2021 Ford F-150 swears against it because several owners reported rust on their brand new trucks. Rusting had occurred on the underbody components, which included the differentials, axles, suspension components, and the exhaust.

Read it: How Long Do Ford Focus Last (& Which Years to Avoid)

Are Fords Expensive to Fix?

Fords are a bit on the expensive side in terms of fixes. The average annual repair costs range somewhere between $500-800$.

Also worth mentioning is that a report claimed that last year Ford had the most number of cars in the top 10 most serviced vehicles list in the UK.

Is it Hard to Find Ford’s Replacement Parts?

No, it isn’t very hard. You can easily find most of the replacement parts at your authorized Ford dealer. Also, it is easy to find aftermarket parts as Ford is one of the most popular car brands in the world.

Are Fords Comfortable?

Explorer, Expedition, Edge, and Escape are some of the Ford models that rank high in terms of comfort. Even small Fords like Focus or Fiesta are roomy and comfortable to drive with 5 people.

A lot depends on the model you choose. If you choose an SUV, you should drive comfortably, because the seats are soft and the interior is roomy. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a driver or you seat in the rear seats.

Ford sedans, as well as hatchbacks are very comfortable. When you get into Ford Fiesta or Ford Focus, you might be surprised how much space you have, even though those cars might look small at first sight.

Also read: 3 Best Ford for Seniors (with Pictures)

What are the Most Common Problems with Fords?

The most common problems in Fords include gearbox issues, infotainment system breakdowns, corrosion issues, oil leaks, drivetrain noise issues, and some other issues as well.

Gearbox issues: Ford Fiesta 2011-2016, Ford Focus 2012-2016 ($500 to fix)

Rust problems: Ford F-150, Ford Ka, Ford Focus Sedan ($700 to fix)

Oil leaks: Ford F-150 2015-2019, Ford Edge 2015-2019 ($150 to fix)

Drivetrain noise issues: Ford Escape ($300 to fix)

Are Fords Safe?

Ford cars are quite safe with most of their vehicles scoring 4-star or 5-star safety rating from NHTSA.

Cars like the Fusion, Taurus, Mustang, Escape, Explorer, Expedition, Focus, and the F-150 range of trucks scored 5 star safety rating from NHTSA. Whereas models like Flex, Edge, and the Fiesta earned 4-star safety ratings.

Read it: Can a Car Run without a Catalytic Converter? Is it legal?

Is the Quality of Elements in Fords Good?

Ford has been pretty average with the quality of elements used in their cars. Because of their price strategy, they use decent quality elements, but not as good

The materials used in the interiors of most of the Ford cars are decent. But there are certainly lots of hard and tacky plastic areas, especially on the lower center console and on the door pads. Hence, the cabin doesn’t feel all that upmarket.

Do Fords Depreciate Fast?

It depends on the model, but most Ford cars depreciate slow. When it comes to the most popular Ford models, the average depreciation after 5 years is 45%.

Ford has a mixed bag of vehicles when it comes to depreciation. On one hand, there are models like the Mustang and F-150 which have incredible resale values. Meanwhile, on the other hand, there are vehicles like Fusion, Fiesta, Escape, and Explorer that are at the bottom end of resale value figures.

Let’s take a look at the most popular Fords and their depreciation rate after 5 years.

Ford F-150: 35%

Ford Ranger: 36%

Ford Focus: 37%

Ford Mustang: 39%

Ford F-350: 44%

Ford F-250: 45%

Ford Edge: 47%

Ford Flex: 50%

Ford Fiesta: 50%

Ford Expedition: 51%

Ford Fusion: 52%

Ford Escape: 52%

Also read: Ford vs. Honda- Maintenance Cost Comparison

Does Ford Offer Good Engines?

Ford offers great engines, especially eco-boost engines that are one of the best in the business. The Ecoboost engines are small and affordable yet very powerful and power most of Ford’s economic models. Even the Ford Mustang comes with a 2.3 liter 4-cylinder Eco-boost engine.

Ford’s V8 engine on the Mustang is also a pure driving bliss.

However, Ford’s 6.0-liter powerstroke that powered the SuperDuty (2003-2007) was among the worst diesel engines to be ever fitted on a truck. That engine had a tonne of problems including Fuel Injection module failure, issues with the oil cooler, problems with the EGR valve, turbocharger problems, and more.

The 6.4-liter powerstroke was also subject to a lot of issues.

Are Fords Expensive to Maintain?

Fords are comparatively expensive to maintain, compared to its rivals like Dodge and Chevrolet. On average, Ford owners spend around 775$ on their vehicles in a year. But, this amount varies from model to model and also depends on how the owner maintains the vehicle.

Ford has something on offer called the Ford Protect Premium Maintenance plan as a prepaid option. You can opt for a 2 to 8 years coverage plan. The Ford Protect Premium Maintenance plan covers all your scheduled services.

It includes oil change, vehicle inspection, tyre alignment, spark plug, and replacement of consumables like brake pads, filters, wiper blades, and more. The cost of Ford’s maintenance plan is around 775$ on a yearly basis. But it is subjective to change based on your vehicle, model, and location.

On a general basis, 5-year maintenance costs for a Ford vehicle will range somewhere from $5500 to $8000.

Are Fords Expensive to Insure?

Ford vehicles are not the most expensive to insure with an average insurance amount of $1,600 per year.

Take a look at some most popular models and their insurance prices for a 2-year-old car.

Ford F-150: $1.000/ year

Ford F-250: $1.500/ year

Ford Escape: $1.700/ year

Ford Fusion: $1.750/ year

Ford Ranger: $2.000/year

Also read: 7 Best Fords with a Panoramic Sunroof (+ Photos)

What are the Best Ford Alternatives?

Major Ford alternatives include vehicles from Toyota, Honda, GM, FCA, and German brands like Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes, etc.

Are Fords too Expensive to Buy?

Fords are priced decently when fared against their rivals. However, some of the models like Expedition, Edge, and Escape are a bit pricey as compared to their competition.