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Ford years to avoid

For every Ford model, the model years with more than twice that model's typical number of owner complaints, and the years with the fewest. Based on 287,277 owner complaints.

The worst Ford model years

Years to avoid from the last 20 model years, with the most owner complaints. The last column shows how far each year is above a typical year of the same Ford model.

CarComplaintsvs typical yearMain problem
2010 Ford Fusion5,1314.6xSteering
2012 Ford Focus3,7724.2xTransmission
2013 Ford F-1502,9942.7xTransmission
2011 Ford Fusion2,7962.5xSteering
2013 Ford Escape2,7532.4xEngine
2017 Ford Escape2,7082.4xEngine
2014 Ford Focus2,6062.9xTransmission
2012 Ford Fusion2,5192.3xSteering
2016 Ford Explorer2,4653.4xBody
2013 Ford Edge2,4483.2xElectrical
2018 Ford F-1502,3322.1xTransmission
2013 Ford Explorer2,2393.0xSteering

Ford models: years to avoid and best years

Amber: more than twice the typical complaints for that model. Green: the years with the fewest complaints among years with enough cars on the road.

ModelYears to avoidBest years
F-15020132018200720082009
Explorer200220132014201520162017200720192022
Escape20132017200720212022
Fusion201020112012200620182019
Focus201220132014200620082009
Taurus20012002200320052013200720122016
Edge20112013200920202022
Expedition200120032019201020112014
Mustang20052007202020212022
Ranger2001202020212022
F-250 SD201720182019200820112022
F-250None stand out200720092010
FreestyleNone stand out
F-350 SD20172019201020112012
Fiesta2011201220132014
F-350None stand out200720092013
Crown Victoria200320042005200720092011
FreestarNone stand out
Flex2013201220172018
EcosportNone stand out
Escape Hybrid20082020201020112022
BroncoNone stand out
Bronco SportNone stand out
Fusion Hybrid20102011201520162019
ExcursionNone stand out
E-3502001200220052006200920152016
Five HundredNone stand out
E-150None stand out200920152016
Maverick Hybrid20222023
EconolineNone stand out
Transit20152016201920212022
Explorer Sport Trac2001
Mustang GT20052006
Mustang Mach E2021
F-150 HybridNone stand out
Transit Connect201420152016201120182021
F-550 SDNone stand out201220142022
F-450 SD2008200720112021
E-450None stand out201020142018
F Super DutyNone stand out
C-Max2013201620172018
MaverickNone stand out
Fusion Energi2019201520172018
E-250None stand out200720082011
F SeriesNone stand out
F-150 Lightning BevNone stand out
500None stand out
F-53None stand out201120172019
Focus Electric2013201520162017
Taurus XNone stand out
C-Max EnergiNone stand out201420152017
Redundant C-Max HybridNone stand out
Escape PHEV2022
F-450None stand out201120132015

Questions about the Ford years to avoid

What Ford years should you avoid?

The Ford model years with the most owner complaints, each well above a typical year of the same model, are the 2010 Fusion (4.6 times typical, mostly steering), the 2012 Focus (4.2 times typical, mostly transmission), the 2013 F-150 (2.7 times typical, mostly transmission), the 2011 Fusion (2.5 times typical, mostly steering) and the 2013 Escape (2.4 times typical, mostly engine).

What is the most common problem with Ford vehicles?

Across all models, most Ford owner complaints are about engine, transmission and electrical.

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