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Ford

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6.0

Overall Score

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: February 3rd, 2022

Ford is an American automaker founded in 1903. The company, which was founded by Henry Ford, is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan. Ford has become the world’s largest family-owned business. Its history of innovation includes the mass production of the Ford Model T via the assembly line. This shift helped make cars more affordable and shaped the future of transportation worldwide. 
 
With “something for everyone,” this Detroit Big 3 company offers cars, SUVs, crossovers, and trucks, including the F-Series, which is the company’s best-selling model and has been the best-selling truck in the United States for 40 years. Many commercial businesses choose Ford F-Series for their working vehicle fleets. 
 
Additionally, 1964’s introduction of the Mustang revolutionized the sports car industry. The ‘stang is the world's best-selling sports car, with over 10 million sold.
 
Read our expert review outlining the pros and cons of choosing a Ford car or skip to the Ford reviews below.

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The Good

  • Dependability
  • Hybrid and Electric Vehicles
  • Impressive Fuel Economy
  • Competitive Warranty and Maintenance Plans
  • Luxury Vehicle Options
  • Towing Capacity

Dependability

On the most recent JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study, Ford was below average, but several of its models were included in top-three lists for their segment, including: 

  • Compact SUV — Ford Escape
  • Large Heavy Duty Pickup — Ford Super Duty
  • Large Light Duty Pickup — Ford F-150
  • Large SUV — Ford Expedition
  • Large Car — Ford Taurus

Hybrid and Electric Vehicles    

Ford has made several hybrid and electric vehicles and is the world’s second-largest maker of hybrid cars. The company isn’t stopping there. It wants to make a $4.5 billion investment in electric vehicles by 2020 and has plans for a crossover with a 300-mile charge by the same year. 

Current sustainable offerings include the following: 

  • C-Max Hybrid
  • Fusion Hybrid
  • Fusion Energi (plug-in hybrid)
  • Focus Electric

Impressive Fuel Economy

With a combined 42 mpg, the Ford Fusion Hybrid ranks in the top 10 cars with the best fuel economy by U.S. News and Reports. The Ford Fusion Hybrid is also known for its safety and reliability ratings. Other fuel-efficient vehicles include the Ford Fiesta and the Ford Focus. 
 
Ford uses advanced fuel economy technology to help consumers save money on gas. Ford Motor Company engineered the EcoBoost engine that maintains high power performance without sacrificing torque response rates. Hybrid and electric Ford vehicles also maintain high fuel efficiency.

Competitive Warranty and Maintenance Plans

Every new Ford car comes with a New Vehicle Limited Warranty that covers specific repairs and vehicle malfunctions for three years or up to 36,000 miles. Ford also offers special plans to make owning your vehicle more affordable. When you purchase an extended warranty or maintenance plan, you don’t have to worry about unexpected repair or routine maintenance costs. You can drive confidently knowing that your vehicle is up-to-date and travel-ready. 

Ford Extended Warranty 

Ford offers extended warranty options through its Ford Protect Program. Options include the PremiumCARE, ExtraCARE, and BaseCARE, and PowertrainCARE. The PremiumCARE plan covers repairs for eight years or 150,000 miles and over 1000 components. This is the only plan that covers the powertrain control and tracks air/fuel mix to maintain fuel economy. Ford’s PremiumCARE plan is one of the best extended warranty options available. 
 
Other Ford warranty plans cover specific components including the engine, transmission, and basic car systems. You can learn which plan is right for you by going onto the Ford Protect website and requesting a quote. Plans can be purchased anytime during the New Vehicle Limited Warranty period. 

Premium Maintenance Plan 

Ford offers a premium maintenance plan for new Ford drivers currently covered under the limited warranty. With the maintenance plan, take your car to any Lincoln or Ford dealer for servicing. The premium maintenance plan includes: 

  • Oil changes, tire rotations, multi-point inspections, and factory-required maintenance
  • Replacement of common “wear and tear” items
  • 100% transferable coverage 
  • $0 deductible for covered services 

Since the maintenance plan is transferable, you don’t lose your investment when you sell a Ford car. A maintenance plan allows you to increase the offer price because of the additional coverage. 

Luxury Vehicle Options

Ford offers luxury sedans, SUVs, Trucks, and sports cars. The Ford Mustang is the most popular sports car in the world featuring leather upholstery, nine-speaker sound system, driver’s seat memory setting, and heated seats. But, you don’t need to buy a sports car to get luxury vehicle add-ons. 
 
Other models such as the Ford Expedition and the Ford Explorer offer heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, and other luxury options. Many consider the Ford F-450 Super Duty to be one of the most luxurious trucks on the road.  Ford helps drivers find the right balance between comfort and affordability by providing different trim and model options. 
 
Ford also owns the luxury car brand Lincoln. Lincoln lineup includes crossovers, SUVs, and sedans.

Towing Capacity

Ford has an impressive truck lineup with some of the highest towing capacities in the car industry. Ford’s F-series has been the best-selling pickup truck lineup for the last 43 years. The series includes the Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, and F-450. The Ford F-450 Super Duty can tow up to 24,000 lbs. This is one of the best towing capacities on the market. 

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The Bad

  • Satisfaction
  • Takata Recall

Satisfaction

Ford ranks among the lowest in the industry in terms customer satisfaction. On the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index Automobile Report, Ford was in the bottom three auto brands, tied for next-to-last place. 

Takata Recall

Ford vehicles have been included in the Takata airbag recall, including 2005 to 2014 Ford Mustangs, 2004 to 2006 Ford Rangers, and 2005 to 2006 Ford GTs. As one of the biggest auto recalls ever, Ford isn’t the only car brand affected. If your car is among those listed, contact Ford customer service or visit the company's website for more information. 

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The Bottom Line

As one of America’s longest-standing auto manufacturers with an incredible history of innovation, Ford’s current standing with consumers is a bit of a conundrum. The company has good dependability ratings but still struggles with customer satisfaction. It may still be affected by the company's involvement in the 2008 financial crisis bailout, but Ford's innovative sustainable options and upcoming models, including a plug-in crossover with a 300-mile charge, may boost its image with American consumers. 
 
Read through our Ford reviews below to learn about real customer experiences with the brand. If you are ready to take the next steps towards owning a Ford, visit a local Ford dealership to test drive and discuss pricing options.

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4.4

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418 Reviews

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3 grade

9%

2 grade

3%

1 grade

2%

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Review Source

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lani tuihalamaka Cheyenne, WY

The Ford closing time said 9pm, we got to the dealership at 8:15 and they had already blocked off the entrance. We were told by the neighboring dealership who shares lot inventory with the ford dealership to walk over and they would call the office and have someone meet us out there. We walked over and waited by the front door and no one came out! Horrible customer service!

6 years ago

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courtney tennant Salem, VA

These cars are awful. Every Ford I've owned hasn't lasted me for more than 130,000 miles. I kept up on maintenance and did everything that was recommended to me at the dealerships, but they never last.

5 years ago Edited September 14, 2021

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Juan Beaver, PA

Every experience i have had with ford, they have been nothing but issues. I once got stranded 4 hours from home in a snow storm because the focus we were in decided the transmission was going to fail. I would not recommend

6 years ago

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Todd Homitz Evans City, PA

I have a 2012 Ford Explorer. Over the past 5 years I've probably invested more in getting it fixed than what's it's actually worth. I will never buy a Ford ever again.

6 years ago

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Justin_mansell27 Artesia, NM

Personally I dislike Ford they more for personal reasons than anything, and I own one, horrible quality and breaks down quick.

6 years ago

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Fabadashery LLC

Their engineering is awful. They have proprietary parts that regularly fail.

7 years ago

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Miller Clarksburg, MD

I have had two Fords in my life and both vehicles have let me broken down on the side of the road.

5 years ago