Ford reliability is mixed. F-150 remains the best-selling vehicle in America for good reason, but the brand has produced more high-profile recalls and engine failures over the past decade than nearly any major automaker. 10R80 transmission shudder, 1.5L EcoBoost coolant intrusion, 6.2L cam phaser failures, MyFord Touch/SYNC headaches, and the disastrous PowerShift dual-clutch (Focus/Fiesta) all hurt the brand. Newer Mustang Mach-E and Bronco have racked up software recalls.
Consumer Reports ranks Ford in the bottom third of major brands. J.D. Power's 2024 Vehicle Dependability Study placed Ford below the industry average for 3-year-old vehicles.
Naturally aspirated V8 with 10R80 trans. Pre-cam-phaser-issue years are gold.
5.0L Coyote V8 + manual or 10R80. Proven.
Toyota-style hybrid combo, simple and durable.
3.5L EcoBoost matured by this point; one of Ford's better truck engines.
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Class action over the dual-clutch; shuddering and stalling. Settled for $35M+.
TSB-21-2199; harsh 1-2 and 4-5 shifts. Fluid flush helps but not always.
Cold-start rattle, ticking, $5K+ repair out of warranty.
Coolant intrusion in cylinder head, head gasket failures, fires.
10R80 10-speed transmission shudder, 5.0L Coyote cam phaser ticking (2018-2022), 1.5/1.6L EcoBoost coolant intrusion, 6.2L cam phaser/lifter problems, 6.7L Power Stroke high-pressure fuel pump failures (CP4 lawsuit), and persistent SYNC infotainment recalls.
Average $775/year per RepairPal - well above average. Out-of-warranty cam phaser repairs commonly run $3,500-$6,500. F-150 resale is excellent; sedans depreciate fast.
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Mixed. F-150 (5.0L) and Mustang GT are reliable. Most EcoBoost engines have had design issues. Avoid 2011-2018 Focus/Fiesta entirely.
A 10-speed automatic shared with GM; from 2017-2020 it has a well-documented harsh-shift / shudder issue covered by TSB 21-2199.
The 3.5L is solid after 2017. The 1.5/1.6L is the worst Ford has shipped in modern times due to coolant intrusion.
Yes, especially with the 5.0L Coyote (avoid 2018-2022 due to cam phaser). 2.7L EcoBoost has also held up well.
Variable-cam-timing phasers in the 2018-2022 5.0L Coyote develop oil-pressure-related rattle, eventually requiring a $4,000+ repair.
Yes, but specifically: F-150 (2018-2020 5.0L, or 2.7L EcoBoost), Mustang GT, Maverick Hybrid. Avoid Focus, Fiesta, and small-displacement EcoBoost cars.