YearToAvoid

Ford Best and Worst Years by Model

37 Ford models, 131,527 NHTSA owner complaints and 1,263 recall campaigns for model years 2010–2025. Pick a model to see which years to avoid and which are the safest bets.

Ford models ranked by owner complaints

Sorted by popularity. Years to avoid / best years come from each model’s own Complaint Index.

ModelYearsComplaintsRecallsYears to avoidBest yearsTop issue
Ford Explorer2010–202515,150932013, 2015, 2016, 20202010, 2019, 2023, 2024Steering
Ford Escape2010–202518,481772013, 2014, 2017, 20202022, 2023, 2024, 2025Engine
Ford F-1502010–202521,1941152011, 2013, 2016, 20182010, 2020, 2024, 2025Transmission & Powertrain
Ford Edge2010–202411,639402011, 2012, 2013, 20172021, 2022, 2023, 2024Engine
Ford Ranger2010–20251,080462011, 2019, 2022—Airbags
Ford Expedition2010–20252,958522017, 2018, 2019, 20202010, 2011, 2013, 2014Transmission & Powertrain
Ford Fusion2010–202018,209462010, 2011, 20122018, 2019, 2020Steering
Ford Focus2010–201812,810232012, 2013, 20142010, 2011Transmission & Powertrain
Ford Bronco2021–2025956472022, 20232024Visibility & Wipers
Ford Flex2010–20191,741142013, 2014, 20192012, 2017, 2018Electrical System
Ford Mustang2010–20253,580572011, 2012, 2014, 20152021, 2022, 2023, 2025Airbags
Ford Maverick2022–20253274420222025Transmission & Powertrain
Ford Ecosport2018–20221,85262018, 20202022Engine
Ford F-2502010–20255,028632011, 2017, 2018, 20192010, 2013, 2023, 2024Steering
Ford Taurus2010–20191,748192010, 2013, 20152012, 2017, 2019Steering
Ford Transit2014–2025775642015, 2016, 20232019, 2021Transmission & Powertrain
Ford Bronco Sport2021–20251,349292021, 20222025Electrical System
Ford Fiesta2011–20193,164122011, 2012, 20132017, 2018Transmission & Powertrain
Ford Transit Connect2010–2023569312014, 2015, 2016, 20192011, 2021, 2022Structure & Body
Ford Fusion Hybrid2010–20201,19722010, 2011, 20132015, 2016, 2020Steering
Ford Escape Hybrid2010–202562222020, 2021, 20222013Engine
Ford Maverick Hybrid2022–2025853120222025Engine
Ford F-3502010–20252,754792016, 2017, 2019, 20202010, 2013, 2014, 2023Steering
Ford C-Max2013–2018366122013, 20142017, 2018Electrical System
Ford Mustang Mach-E2021–2025660222021, 20232025Electrical System
Ford Escape PHEV2020–202512222021, 20222024Electrical System
Ford E-3502010–2025157392010, 2011, 2021, 20222016Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Ford Focus Electric2012–201718142013, 20142016, 2017Electrical System
Ford F-150 Hybrid2021–202561522021, 20222025Transmission & Powertrain
Ford Fusion Energi2012–202030922014, 2019, 20202018Electrical System
Ford F-4502010–2025194732020, 2022, 20242013, 2015, 2016Engine
Ford F-5502010–2025164722019, 2021, 20222013, 2018Engine
Ford F532010–2025136152014, 2018, 2020, 20212017Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Ford E-4502010–2025125272016, 2021, 20222014, 2015, 2018Engine
Ford C-MAX Energi2013–201713712013, 20162017Electrical System
Ford E-1502010–202387152010, 2011, 20132014Transmission & Powertrain
Ford F-150 Lightning2022–20252381520232025Electrical System

Ford model years with the most complaints

Raw complaint counts (not adjusted for age or sales). Click through for the breakdown.

  1. 2010 Ford Fusion · 5,120 complaints · 11 recalls Avoid
  2. 2012 Ford Focus · 3,768 complaints · 7 recalls Avoid
  3. 2013 Ford F-150 · 2,981 complaints · 3 recalls Avoid
  4. 2011 Ford Fusion · 2,786 complaints · 7 recalls Avoid
  5. 2013 Ford Escape · 2,749 complaints · 18 recalls Avoid
  6. 2017 Ford Escape · 2,684 complaints · 4 recalls Avoid
  7. 2014 Ford Focus · 2,601 complaints · 12 recalls Avoid
  8. 2012 Ford Fusion · 2,516 complaints · 5 recalls Avoid
  9. 2016 Ford Explorer · 2,451 complaints · 14 recalls Avoid
  10. 2013 Ford Edge · 2,444 complaints · 2 recalls Avoid

How we rank Ford years

For each model we compare its own model years using the Complaint Index: complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and “Do Not Drive” recalls reported to NHTSA, adjusted for how long each year has been on the road. The top quarter of a model’s years is marked Avoid, the bottom quarter Best. Because NHTSA publishes no sales data, models are not ranked against each other. Full details in the methodology.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.