YearToAvoid

Ford Best and Worst Years by Model

49 Ford models, 167,795 NHTSA owner complaints and 1,507 recall campaigns for model years 2005–2025. 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.

Verdicts are based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, compared within each model. This is not a reliability rating. How the Complaint Index works.

ModelYearsComplaintsRecallsYears to avoidBest yearsTop issue
Ford Explorer2005–202516,668962013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020—Structure & Body
Ford Escape2005–202524,261822009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2017, 20202024Engine
Ford F-1502005–202524,0721222011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018—Transmission & Powertrain
Ford Edge2007–202414,011432008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 20172014, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024Engine
Ford Ranger2005–20252,405582008, 2011, 2019, 2021, 2022—Airbags
Ford Expedition2005–20253,962592017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 20242010, 2011, 2013, 2014Transmission & Powertrain
Ford Fusion2006–202022,387462010, 2011, 2012, 20132018, 2019, 2020Steering
Ford Focus2005–201814,325252012, 2013, 2014, 20162011Transmission & Powertrain
Ford Bronco2021–2025956472022, 2023—Visibility & Wipers
Ford Flex2009–20191,922142013, 2014, 20192012, 2017, 2018Electrical System
Ford Mustang2005–20255,854582005, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2014, 20152019, 2021, 2023, 2025Airbags
Ford Maverick2022–2025327442022—Transmission & Powertrain
Ford Ecosport2005–20221,85362018, 20202022Engine
Ford F-2502005–20256,490752006, 2011, 2017, 2018, 2019, 20202013, 2024Steering
Ford Taurus2005–20193,228212005, 2010, 2013, 20152012, 2017, 2018, 2019Engine
Ford Transit2014–2025775642015, 2016, 2020—Transmission & Powertrain
Ford Bronco Sport2021–20251,349292021, 2022—Electrical System
Ford Fiesta2011–20193,164122011, 2012, 20132017, 2018Transmission & Powertrain
Ford Transit Connect2010–2023569312014, 2015, 2016, 20192018, 2021, 2022Structure & Body
Ford Fusion Hybrid2010–20201,19722010, 2011, 20182014, 2016, 2020Steering
Ford Escape Hybrid2005–20251,73922008, 2009, 2020, 20212012, 2013Engine
Ford Explorer Sport Trac2005–201023132005, 2007—Engine
Ford Excursion2005–2010662——Engine
Ford Maverick Hybrid2022–2025853120222025Engine
Ford F-3502005–20253,697912006, 2008, 2016, 2017, 2019, 20202014Steering
Ford Mustang GT2005–20063140——Airbags
Ford Five Hundred2005–20071,0733——Engine
Ford Crown Victoria2005–201142582005, 20082010, 2011Steering
Ford Freestyle2005–20073,6522——Engine
Ford C-Max2013–2018366122013, 20142017, 2018Electrical System
Ford Freestar2005–20071,3063——Transmission & Powertrain
Ford 5002005–20072040——Engine
Ford Mustang Mach-E2021–2025660222021, 20232025Electrical System
Ford Escape PHEV2020–202512222021, 2022—Electrical System
Ford E-3502005–2025332842005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2021, 20222015, 2016Engine
Ford Focus Electric2012–201718142013, 20142016, 2017Electrical System
Ford F-150 Hybrid2021–202561522021, 20222025Transmission & Powertrain
Ford Fusion Energi2012–202030922014, 2019, 20202018Electrical System
Ford F-150 Lightning2022–20252381520232025Electrical System
Ford F-4502005–2025356832008, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 20242015, 2016Engine
Ford F-5502005–2025290812006, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022—Fuel System
Ford F532008–2025137152014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021—Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Ford E-4502005–2025199442005, 2006, 2016, 2021, 20222014, 2015, 2018Engine
Ford C-MAX Energi2013–201713712013, 20162017Electrical System
Ford E-1502005–2023150332005, 2010, 2011, 20132014, 2015, 2016Engine
Ford E-2502005–202382562005, 2006, 2008, 2010—Engine
Ford Taurus X2008–20091641——Transmission & Powertrain
Ford Escape Hev2005–2007641——Brakes
Ford F Super Duty2005–2008580——Engine

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 · 5,129 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.