Are Fords Reliable? [Reliability Ratings for 12 Ford Models]

After more than 100 years of making cars and trucks, how does Ford reliability compare to other car brands? Are Fords reliable?

Relying on actual repairs data, RepairPal.com gave Ford a 2021 Reliability Rating of 3.5 out of 5.0. This ranks Ford 21st out of 32 for all brands. 

They based their rankings on an average rating among 345 distinct car and truck models. Additionally, Business Insider named Ford as one of the top 10 most reliable vehicle brands for 2020.

Some Ford vehicles have a higher reliability score than others. For instance, the Ford Fusion has maintained its top ranking for the most reliable family cars in the U.S.

Here are the 12 top-selling Ford cars along with their reliability and overall scores as provided by U.S. News and J.D. Power:

  1. 2020 Ford Fusion Energi – reliability rating: 3.5 out of 5; Overall score: N/A
  2. 2020 Ford EcoSport – reliability rating: 3 out of 5; Overall score: N/A
  3. 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid – reliability rating: 3 out of 5; Overall score: 7.1 out of 10
  4. 2020 Ford Explorer – reliability rating: 3 out of 5; Overall score: 7.4 out of 10
  5. Ford Fusion – reliability rating: 4 out of 5; Overall score: N/A
  6. Ford Focus – reliability rating: 4 out of 5; Overall score: 8.6 out of 10 
  7. Ford Escape – reliability rating: 4.5 out of 5; Overall score: 8.1 out of 10 
  8. Ford Mustang – reliability rating: 4 out of 5; Overall score: 8.8 out of 10 
  9. Ford Edge – reliability rating: 3 out of 5; Overall score: 7.7 out of 10
  10. Ford Ranger – reliability rating: 3.5 out of 5; Overall score: 7.6 out of 10 
  11. Ford F150 – reliability rating: 4.5 out of 5; Overall score: 8.9 out of 10
  12. Ford Expedition – reliability rating: 3 out of 5; Overall score: 8.4 out of 10

Read on to learn more about the reliability scores of the top 12 selling Ford vehicles, as well the specs and features for each.

Are Fords Reliable?

are fords reliable

RepairPal.com, one of the leading providers of auto repair and maintenance information to consumers, is a well-known source for vehicle reliability scores. They gave Ford a Reliability Rating of 3.5 out of 5. With this rating, Ford is now ranked 21st among 32 car brands.

This rating is based on an average that included 345 individual car and truck models. You can also ask a lawyer a question for free about Ford cars’ reliability.

It is quite reasonable for you to ask if Ford cars are reliable. Reliability, among other things, is one factor that will help you decide if a car is worth your money. The other aspects of a car that you need to evaluate are value, resale value, and safety. 

Before releasing their ratings, RepairPal.com analyzes millions of repair orders from more than 2,000 car repair shops across the United States. They measure the reliability of these cars by examining the cost, severity, and frequency of repairs.

On average, the repair cost of Ford cars is about $775 per year. This figure places Ford cars at above average ownership costs. Also, Business Insider ranked Ford among the top 10 most dependable car brands for 2020.

For the past several decades, Japanese car brands have made their inroads in the U.S. car market and shoved aside some U.S. car brands, including Ford, in the aspect of dependability.

But these latest reliability figures have shown that Ford vehicles are now on par with the top Japanese car brands. For example, the Ford Fusion has kept its top ranking for the most reliable family cars.

Reliability of the 12 Best-Selling Ford Vehicles

1. 2020 Ford Fusion Energi Reliability

The 2020 Ford Fusion Energi is a plug-in hybrid. It is a small car with a limited trunk space and a limited all-electric driving range. According to J.D. Power, this car’s predicted reliability is slightly above average at 3.5 out of 5.

This hybrid car is still unranked in Hybrid and Electrics’ overall ranking because of its missing safety data. But there are some Critics’ Ratings, Performance scores, and Interior score based on J.D. Power’s assessment of 33 pieces of data and research.

Ford Fusion Energi is provided with a three-year, 36,000 miles bumper to bumper warranty. It also comes with a five-year, 60,000 miles warranty on its powertrain. The components of the powertrain are warrantied for eight years or 100,000 miles.

2. 2020 Ford EcoSport Reliability

According to U.S. News, the 2020 Ford EcoSport did well in the reliability and cost departments. Based on the findings of Consumer Reports, this car has a staggering reliability score of 89%.

This figure enabled the car to make it to number three in its segment. It is only next to Lexux UX and Hyundai Koria. In other words, the Ford EcoSport is more reliable than other SUVs such as the Jeep, Crosstrek and Subaru.

On its part, U.S. News reported that the Ford EcoSport 2019 model has a very respectable reliability rating of 3 out of 5. In other words, as far as U.S. News is concerned, this car has relatively average reliability.

This report disagrees with the findings of Consumer Reports, which gave it an amazing reliability score.

3. 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid Reliability

Ford did not make any significant change to the 2021 Explorer Hybrid. It was first introduced in 2020 as an all-new car for the 2020 model year. It is ranked number 7 among the Hybrid and Electric SUVs category.

At present, it has an overall score of 7.1 out of 10 based on a U.S. News assessment of 17 pieces of data and research elements utilizing different sources. As far as its reliability score is concerned, U.S. News gave it a rating of 3 out of 5.

4. 2020 Ford Explorer Reliability

U.S. News gave the 2020 Ford Explorer an overall score of 7.4 out of 10. But its 2021 model has not yet been tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Its design elements and components are almost the same as the 2020 model.

This model has earned the top spot in safety assessments of the IIHS. Therefore, this 2021 model should also be safe, if not even safer than its previous iteration.

U.S. News has ranked it at number 17, based on its mid-size SUV classification score. With regards to its reliability score, U.S. News gave it a rating of 3 out of 5.

5. Ford Fusion Reliability

The Ford Fusion got a higher reliability rating than its other siblings. RepairPal.com gave it a rating of 4 out of 5. But as far as competitiveness is concerned, this car only ranked number 18 out of the 24 models in the mid-size segment.

ford reliable

Its average repair cost per year is about $581. That means its cost of ownership is just around average. Ford has already discontinued the production of this car model. So, if you really want a Ford Fusion, the only available units are used ones.

6. Ford Focus Reliability

A report from the Drive indicated that the Ford Focus’s reliability with manual transmission is comparable to its nearest rivals, such as the Mazda 3. RepairPal.com has given this car a reliability rating of 4 out of 5. 

That rating places the Ford Focus in the 27th spot among the other 36 compact car models. RepairPal.com also reported that the annual repair cost of this vehicle run is just around average.

For its 2018 model, the Ford Focus was ranked number three by CarParts.com. Its current overall rating is 8.6 out of 10, according to the assessment of U.S. News base on 89 pieces of data and research elements from different sources.

7. Ford Escape Reliability

Among compact SUVs, the predicted reliability of the Ford Escape is 4.5 out of 5. According to U.S. News, the reliability rating of the Ford Escape 2021 is one of the highest in its class. This vehicle ranks number 4 in the compact SUV category.

U.S. News gave this vehicle an overall score of 8.1 out of 10. This score is based on their assessment of 23 pieces of data and research elements from different sources.

Again, are fords reliable? RepairPal.com gave Ford cars a Reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5.0. As a result, Ford cars ranked 21 out of 32 car brands in terms of reliability. The average rating of 345 distinct car models is the basis of this site’s ranking.

Lastly, Business Insider put Ford in the top 10 in terms of the most reliable car brands for 2020.

8. Ford Mustang Reliability

J.D. Power gave the Ford Mustang a reliability rating of 4 out of 5. But Consumer Reports gave it only a rating of 3 out of 5. It also cited two recalls that were already available in its 2020 model.

Within the category of Sports Cars, this vehicle was ranked number 1. At present, this car has an overall score of 8.8 out of 10. This score was based on their assessment of 46 pieces of data and research elements taken from different sources.

9. Ford Edge Reliability

The predictability rating of the Ford Edge, according to J.D. Power, is 3 out of 5. This is above average, according to them. U.S. News stated that it gave this vehicle the rank of number 13 among cars that belong to the Midsize SUV category.

The Ford Edge was a finalist in U.S. News’ Money Award for 2020. It was also a finalist in their Best 2-Row SUV for Families Award for 2020. Its overall score at present is 7.7 out of 10.

U.S. News based their score on their assessment of 43 pieces of data and research elements that they took from different sources.

10. Ford Ranger Reliability

U.S. News gave the Ford Ranger a predictability rating of 3.5 out of 5. They stated that this rating is about average. Ford Motor Co. provides buyers a three-year, 36,000 miles warranty on this vehicle. It also offers a five-year, 60,000 miles on the car’s powertrain.

U.S News ranked the Ford Ranger 2021 number 2 among their list of Compact Pickup Trucks. At present, it has an overall score of 7.6 out of 10.

They based their assessment using 27 data and research elements taken from various sources. You can ask a lawyer a question online for free if Ford Ranger is really reliable.

11. Ford F150 Reliability

For several years, the Ford F150, according to Consumer Reports, is lagging behind its competitors with regards to reliability.

It is a popular pickup for many Americans, even if its past four model years have only earned a predictability rating of 1 out of 5. This is the lowest, according to some analysts, for predictability rating.

Still, U.S. News has ranked this truck number 1 based on their Full-Size Pickup Trucks category score. Its present overall score is 8.9 out of 10.

This is based on their assessment of 14 data and research elements taken from different sources. This car’s Ford reliability rating is 4.5 out of 5.

12. Ford Expedition Reliability

ford reliability

The reliability rating of the Ford Expedition, according to U.S. News, is 3 out of 5. They also ranked this vehicle number 1 according to their score among vehicles in the Large SUV category. This vehicle was declared the winner in their 2020 Best Large SUV for Families award.

At present, they gave this vehicle an overall score of 8.4 out of 10. They base their assessment on 18 pieces of data and research elements taken from different sources.

Conclusion: Are Fords Reliable?

RepairPal.com gave Ford cars a 2021 Reliability Rating of 3.5 out of 5.0. This ranks Ford cars 21st out of 32 among the car brands sold in the United States. 

This car ranking website based its evaluation on an average rating among 345 distinct car models.

On its own, Business Insider also named Ford as one of the top 10 most reliable car brands for 2020. For the past several decades, Ford has improved its cars in the area of dependability. These cars are now on par with the top Japanese car brands as far as reliability is concerned.

This article gave you the reliability rating of the top-selling Ford cars in the United States. To summarize the information I have given you, here are the 12 top-selling Ford cars along with their reliability and overall scores as provided by U.S. News and J.D. Power.

  1. 2020 Ford Fusion Energi – reliability rating: 3.5 out of 5; Overall score: N/A
  2. 2020 Ford EcoSport – reliability rating: 3 out of 5; Overall score: N/A
  3. 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid – reliability rating: 3 out of 5; Overall score: 7.1 out of 10
  4. 2020 Ford Explorer – reliability rating: 3 out of 5; Overall score: 7.4 out of 10
  5. Ford Fusion – reliability rating: 4 out of 5; Overall score: N/A
  6. Ford Focus – reliability rating: 4 out of 5; Overall score: 8.6 out of 10 
  7. Ford Escape – reliability rating: 4.5 out of 5; Overall score: 8.1 out of 10 
  8. Ford Mustang – reliability rating: 4 out of 5; Overall score: 8.8 out of 10 
  9. Ford Edge – reliability rating: 3 out of 5; Overall score: 7.7 out of 10
  10. Ford Ranger – reliability rating: 3.5 out of 5; Overall score: 7.6 out of 10 
  11. Ford F150 – reliability rating: 4.5 out of 5; Overall score: 8.9 out of 10
  12. Ford Expedition – reliability rating: 3 out of 5; Overall score: 8.4 out of 10

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