Fords are everywhere. The car brand has been around for a while and makes some pretty good cars. However, not all Ford has the highest reputation for reliability. We checked Consumer Reports to see which vehicles you should avoid completely and will bankrupt you if you buy them new or used. All information in this article is based on CR’s proprietary reports.
In North America, the Ford F-150 can be considered the king of pickup trucks, as it is found everywhere on the road. This does not mean that all model years are reliable. A few years F-150 you will just have to avoid. In this article, we’ll dive into which Ford vehicles are complete lemons.
10 2020 Ford Mustang – CR: 1 of 5
A Mustang is an unyielding weapon. The 2020 Ford Mustang has some issues. There were four recalls shortly after launch and another in 2022. The most notable of which was a brake pedal mount that would be susceptible to breaking under heavy braking.
Like many unreliable Fords, owners report transmission problems. Major problems with the clutch and torque converters meant that the transmission had to be rebuilt or replaced. Electrical problems also seem to be common. The buttons/handles often don’t work and the center console screen freezes. Major electrical systems such as spark plugs, battery cables, starter and alternator suffer from problems.
9 2016 Ford Mustang – CR: 1 of 5
The climate system seems to be a common failure for this model year Mustang. The condenser, A/C fan, and other system components fail early in the ownership cycle of the 2016 Ford Mustang. Electrical problems are also common. LED turn signals often leave owners in the lurch as the wires get pinched and broken at certain points.
On the more serious side, it appears to suffer from major body integrity and suspension issues. The drive shaft experiences extreme vibration at high speed. The body also creaks and rattles, even at low speeds. Suspension is another problem in a long list. Front struts and hubs experience problems that cause premature tire wear.
8 2015 Ford Mustang – CR: 1 of 5
The 2015 mustang has some serious issues. Since this is the first year of a new rig, paint and rust issues are common. Misaligned trim pieces and dropped badges are almost a guarantee. Door latches and interior controls also experience issues. The usual squeaks and rattles are also present.
There are also more failure issues as the transmission and engine are also quite unreliable. Rubber hose leaks cause coolant loss and other engine problems if left unattended. The clutch arm bearing breaks with more severe use, requiring the entire clutch arm to be replaced.
7 2022 Ford Bronco – CR: 1 of 5
The revival of the Ford Bronco platform has come with some problems. Problems with the exhaust system are common, even though the car is only a year old from 2023. As with many Ford cars, the car’s electronics experience issues. Owners notice that menu screens freeze or the system is slow.
Fuel system problems can also present themselves early in ownership. Emission control devices can fail and cause the car to go into limp mode. While the V6 is reliable, owners have complained of minor problems with the transmission.
6 2018 Ford Expedition – CR: 1 of 5
An update for the 2017 model year, the 2018 Ford Expedition, comes with another set of problems. The engine cooling system fails and causes the engine to overheat. By staying there, the engine itself suffers from belt and cam phasing problems. Of course, a belt failure can cause a spectacular engine failure and require engine replacement.
The shocks and struts also suffer from problems. Owners complain of poor ride quality and squeaky wheel bearings. The 4WD system often leaks or fails to engage properly. If you find yourself in a situation where you need it, you may need to consider other options. This is another unreliable Ford to avoid.
5 2017 Ford Expedition – CR: 1 of 5
When it comes to reliability, the 2017 Ford Expedition isn’t the best in its class. It suffers from major differential problems. It vibrates at low speed or on cold start, and many owners have reported it breaking or locking up. The condenser, fan and compressor motor of the climate system are common points of failure.
The intermittent operation of the backup camera makes the vehicle problematic to park or turn in tight spaces. In severe weather conditions, it may not work at all. Another serious problem is the integrity of the body. Seals often fail, causing water to enter the cabin.
4 2018 Ford F-150 – CR: 1 of 5
If you’re in the market for a Ford F-150, the 2018 model year is the year to avoid. The new V6 engine burns oil. Many owners complain that they need to add a quart every 1000 miles and some say they had to replace the engine. Aside from vibrating from the factory, the transmission often fails to select the correct gear or slips. That makes for a bumpy ride, even in a new 2018 Ford F-150.
Sunroof failure, 4WD system failure, and body integrity issues are among the list of issues with this vehicle. Of course, it also has electrical problems. The car’s electronics often freeze or malfunction, and the starter fails early in the F-150’s life. Many of these problems were fixed in the 2019 F-150, which is one of the best F-150 years, so it’s probably better to go with this one.
3 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E – CR: 1 of 5
The Mustang Mach-E is a new venture for Ford. A new platform dedicated to the electric vehicle means new problems. The Mustang Mach-E suffered recalls due to driveshaft problems and electrical system failures caused by an overheated battery. Another safety recall occurred when seat belt buckles were not properly secured to the floor.
There are several electrical problems. Lights, keyless entry and starter failure are some of these. The battery cooling system is a known bug in the Mustang Mach-E and can destroy the battery. Unfortunately, many of the more serious transmission problems cannot be fixed due to the nature of an electric car platform. List price for a battery replacement is $23,000.
2 2007 Ford Ranger – CR: 1 of 5
The 2007 Ford Ranger is quite old as of 2023. However, it was quite unreliable even when it was initially released. Owners complained of brake, suspension and drive system failure. ABS system failure costs about $1200 to fix, combine that with paint issues that are another $3500, and suddenly the 2007 Ranger is a bankrupt asset.
Suspension is also a major source of problems. Of course, bearings, struts, and bearings begin to wear out with age. With the 2007 Ford Ranger, these parts have a high failure rate. Owners complain of faulty driveshafts, hydraulics and various body issues.
1 2021 Ford F-250 – CR: 1 of 5
The Ford F-250 is as tough as they come, but even that has some issues. Major transmission problems occur, requiring a complete rebuild or replacement of the transmission. Unfortunately, major engine problems are also common. It shares many components with the more reliable F-150 year, but carries heavier loads, putting more strain on the engine and causing problems.
Problems with electricity are common again. The car’s alternator, starter and controls make coexistence difficult. Owners have also reported suspension and body issues. The lift gate not staying closed and the sounding of bushings and struts are some of these problems.
Sources: Manufacturer’s website, Consumer Reports
