How reliable are Ford cars? In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know to get a good picture of how reliable these cars actually are. Before we do that, we want to give you a quick general answer of how reliable these cars actually are:
In general, Ford cars are reasonably reliable. A Ford needs to go to the garage for unscheduled repairs about 0.31 times per year, with a 14% chance of severe problems. Furthermore, Ford owners spend an average of $766 per year on repair costs. Also, A Ford will last a maximum of 230,000 miles with a 5.18% chance of the car passing the 150,000-mile mark.
However, that certainly doesn’t answer everything. Below, we’ll first dive into a list of the 15 most popular Fords and how reliable they are. We ranked them based on data of Repairpal, JD Power, WitchClutch.com. Also, to get a good idea of how much mileages the cars can withstand, we analyzed cars for sale on AutoTrader.com, which gave us a good idea of average mileages and the percentages of cars that would reach them. Read on!
Also read: The Complete Cost Of Maintaining A Ford
What Is The Most Reliable Ford Car?
1. Ford Taurus
A Ford Taurus is the most reliable Ford. A Ford Taurus needs to go to the garage for unscheduled repairs about 0.18 times per year, with an 11% chance of a severe problem. Furthermore, Ford Taurus owners spend an average of $697 per year on repair costs. Also, a Ford Taurus will last a maximum of 250,000 miles with an 11.46% chance of the car passing the 150,000-mile mark.
When we look at the reliability ratings of the Ford Taurus, we can see that these can be considered good. Repairpal.com gives the car a reliability rating of 80%. JD Power gives it 83%, and WithClutch.com gives it a total of 54%.
2. Ford Ranger
Ford Rangers are very reliable. A Ford Ranger needs to go to the garage for unscheduled repairs about 0.16 times per year, with a 12% chance of severe problems. Furthermore, Ford Ranger owners spend an average of $615 per year on repair costs. Also, a Ford Ranger will last a maximum of 270,000 miles with a 4.13% chance of the car passing the 150,000-mile mark.
When we look at the reliability ratings of the Ford Ranger, we can see that these can be considered great. Repairpal.com gives the car a reliability rating of 80%, and JD Power gives it a 88%.
3. Ford F-150
American-made Ford F-150’s are pretty reliable. A Ford F-150 needs to go to the garage for unscheduled repairs about 0.28 times per year with a 15% change of the severe problem. Furthermore, Ford F-150 owners spend an average of $788 per year on repair costs. Also, a Ford F-150 will last a maximum of 340,000 miles with a 5.59% chance of the car passing the 150,000-mile mark.
When we look at the reliability ratings of the Ford F-150, we can see that these can be considered good. Repairpal.com gives the car a reliability rating of 70%, and JD Power gives it a 86%.
When we look at the reliability ratings of the Ford Mustang, we can see that these can be considered average. Repairpal.com gives the car a reliability rating of 70%. JD Power gives it 88%, and WithClutch.com gives it a total of 64%.
4. Ford Focus
A Ford Focus is reasonably reliable. A Ford Focus needs to go to the garage for unscheduled repairs about 0.33 times per year with a 13% chance of the severe problem. Furthermore, Ford Focus owners spend an average of $569 per year on repair costs. Also, a Ford Focus will last a maximum of 240,000 miles with a 6.41% chance of the car passing the 150,000-mile mark.
When we look at the reliability ratings of the Ford Focus, we can see that these can be considered average. Repairpal.com gives the car a reliability rating of 80%. JD Power gives it 78%, and WithClutch.com gives it a total of 40%.
Learn more about this model by reading: What Gas Does A Ford Docus Take?
5. Ford Edge
Ford Edges are reasonably reliable. A Ford Edge needs to go to the garage for unscheduled repairs about 0.33 times per year with a 13% chance of a severe problem. Furthermore, Ford Edge owners spend an average of $611 per year on repair costs. Also, A Ford Edge will last a maximum of 250,000 miles with a 3.89% chance of the car passing the 150,000-mile mark.
When we look at the reliability ratings of the Ford Edge, we can see that these can be considered average. Repairpal.com gives the car a reliability rating of 70%. JD Power gives it 82%, and WithClutch.com gives it a total of 58%.
6. Ford Fusion
Ford Fusions are reasonably reliable. A Ford Fusion needs to go to the garage for unscheduled repairs about 0.33 times per year with a 12% chance of the severe problem. Furthermore, Ford Fusion owners spend an average of $581 per year on repair costs. Also, a Ford Fusion will last a maximum of 260,000 miles with a 6.41% chance of the car passing the 150,000-mile mark.
When we look at the reliability ratings of the Ford Fusion, we can see that these can be considered average. Repairpal.com gives the car a reliability rating of 80%. JD Power gives it 87%, and WithClutch.com gives it a total of 58%. Read more here about the common problems of a Ford Fusion Hybrid.
7. Ford Explorer
Ford Explorers are reasonably reliable. A Ford Explorer needs to go to the garage for unscheduled repairs about 0.24 times per year with a 14% chance of a severe problem. Furthermore, Ford Explorer owners spend an average of $732 per year on repair costs. Also, a Ford Explorer will last a maximum of 280,000 miles with a 3.54% chance of the car passing the 150,000-mile mark.
When we look at the reliability ratings of the Ford Explorers, we can see that these can be considered not that good. Repairpal.com gives the car a reliability rating of 70%. JD Power gives it 74%, and WithClutch.com gives it a total of 39%.
8. Ford Flex
A Ford Flex is reasonably reliable. A Ford Flex needs to go to the garage for unscheduled repairs about 0.41 times per year with a 14% chance of a severe problem. Furthermore, Ford Flex owners spend an average of $713 per year on repair costs. Also, a Ford Flex will last a maximum of 230,000 miles with a 9.13% chance of the car passing the 150,000-mile mark.
When we look at the reliability ratings of the Ford Escape, we can see that these can be considered good. Repairpal.com gives the car a reliability rating of 70%. JD Power gives it 87%, and WithClutch.com gives it a total of 60%.
9. Ford Mustang
Ford Mustangs are reasonably reliable. A Ford Mustang needs to go to the garage for unscheduled repairs about 0.2 times per year with a 12% chance of a severe problem. Furthermore, Ford Mustang owners spend an average of $709 per year on repair costs. Also, a Ford Mustang will last a maximum of 210,000 miles with a 1.93% chance of the car passing the 150,000-mile mark.
10. Ford Fiesta
Ford Fiestas are somewhat reliable. A Ford Fiesta needs to go to the garage for unscheduled repairs about 0.37 times per year with a 12% chance of a severe problem. Furthermore, Ford Fiesta owners spend an average of $552 per year on repair costs. Also, a Ford Fiesta will last a maximum of 180,000 miles with a 1.96% chance of the car passing the 150,000-mile mark.
When we look at the reliability ratings of the Ford Fiesta, we can see that these can be considered good. Repairpal.com gives the car a reliability rating of 80%. JD Power gives it 77%, and WithClutch.com gives it a total of 40%.
11. Ford Escape
Ford Escapes are somewhat reliable. A Ford Escape needs to go to the garage for unscheduled repairs about 0.31 times per year with an 11% chance of a severe problem. Furthermore, Ford Escape owners spend an average of $600 per year on repair costs. Also, a Ford Escape will last a maximum of 280,000 miles with a 2.95% chance of the car passing the 150,000-mile mark.
When we look at the reliability ratings of the Ford Escape, we can see that these can be considered average. Repairpal.com gives the car a reliability rating of 80%. JD Power gives it 72%, and WithClutch.com gives it a total of 56%.
12. Ford Expedition
Ford Expeditions are somewhat reliable. A Ford Expedition needs to go to the garage for unscheduled repairs about 0.25 times per year with a 15% chance of a severe problem. Furthermore, Ford Expedition owners spend an average of $861 per year on repair costs. Also, a Ford Expedition will last a maximum of 290,000 miles with a 7.15% chance of the car passing the 150,000-mile mark.
When we look at the reliability ratings of the Ford Expedition, we can see that these can be considered not that good. Repairpal.com gives the car a reliability rating of 60%. JD Power gives it 76%, and WithClutch.com gives it a total of 40%.
13. Ford F-250
Ford F-250’s are not reliable. A Ford F-250 needs to go to the garage for unscheduled repairs about 0.39 times per year with a 22% chance of a severe problem. Furthermore, Ford F-250 owners spend an average of $1,241 per year on repair costs. Also, a Ford F-250 will last a maximum of 360,000 miles with a 10.42% chance of the car passing the 150,000-mile mark.
When we look at the reliability ratings of the Ford F-250, we can see that these can be considered mixed. Repairpal.com gives the car a reliability rating of 40%. JD Power gives it an 89%. Reason being that Repairpal.com considers a lot of the older models while JD Power takes the newest model. Mainly the pre-2015 models have a lot of problems.
14. Ford F-350
Ford F-350’s are not reliable. A Ford F-350 needs to go to the garage for unscheduled repairs about 0.4 times per year with a 25% chance of a severe problem. Furthermore, Ford F-350 owners spend an average of $1,295 per year on repair costs. Also, a Ford F-350 will last a maximum of 380,000 miles with an 11,36% change of the car passing the 150,000-mile mark.
When we look at the reliability ratings of the Ford F-350, we can see that these can be considered mixed. Repairpal.com gives the car a reliability rating of 30%. JD Power gives it an 89%. Reason being that Repairpal.com considers a lot of the older models while JD Power takes the newest model. Mainly the pre-2015 models have a lot of problems.
15. Ford Transit
Ford Transits are not that reliable. A Ford Transit needs to go to the garage for unscheduled repairs about 0.46 times per year with a 14% chance of a severe problem. Furthermore, Ford Transit owners spend an average of $962 per year on repair costs. Also, a Ford Transit will last a maximum of 225,000 miles with a 3.93% chance of the car passing the 150,000-mile mark.
When we look at the reliability ratings of the Ford Transit, we can see that these can be considered not that good. Repairpal.com gives the car a reliability rating of 60%. JD Power gives it a 63%.
Do Ford Cars Last Long?
In general, Ford cars seem to last a reasonable length. Using a sample of 266,803 Ford’s, we found that 13,817 of them reached a mileage above 150,000 miles. This indicates that 5.18% of Ford cars last longer than 150,000 miles. The Ford Taurus seems to last the longest, with 11,46% reaching a mileage north of 150,000 miles, while the Mustang is the car that puts up the least miles with 1,96%.
Do you want to know more about how Ford compares to other cars regarding the expected miles they can last? Read more about that in this article: How Many Miles Can A Car Last? (156 Models Analyzed!)
What Has Ford Done To Improve Quality?
Over the years, Ford has done a lot to improve its quality. This was especially necessary at the beginning of the decade when the Ford name had some real issues. Most notable was the fact that customers weren’t that interested in the products of Ford anymore.
Therefore, Ford had to change something. They decided to implement the so-called Six Sigma methodology. This methodology helps companies work more efficiently, and, in the case of Ford, they also wanted to become more customer-centric (1).
Using this methodology, Ford was able to:
- Eliminate $2,19 billion in waste over the first 15 years after implementation
- Launch more than 10,000 improvement projects since the early 2000’s
- Increase customer satisfaction with 5%
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Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.
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