1964–2025 model years
HIGHEST COMPLAINT YEAR
2013
3,575 complaints
Total Complaints
67,011
Models Covered
105
Years Covered
1964–2025
High‑Risk Categories
Power Train
Electrical System
Engine
A prolonged period of high complaint volume, peaking in 2013 with 3,575 complaints. This era was defined by a wide range of issues across Ford's most popular models including the F-150, Explorer, Focus, Escape, and Fusion. The period from 2011 to 2018 shows a major spike in complaints, largely driven by powertrain and steering issues. This suggests a period of systemic quality control challenges, with software and electrical system complaints becoming prominent from 2010 onwards, marking a shift from purely mechanical failures to complex electronic issues.
The most complained-about Ford model with 13,175 complaints, peaking in 2016. Primary issues revolve around POWER TRAIN, with common complaints of harsh or failed shifting. ENGINE problems, including failures and stalling, and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM faults are also highly reported. TSBs frequently address software updates for powertrain control modules (PCM) which may relate to shifting issues, but a significant volume of consumer complaints about mechanical transmission failures persists.
With 12,891 complaints, the Explorer has a long history of issues, with a major peak in the early 2000s and another significant peak from 2011-2017. The later era is dominated by STEERING problems, with thousands of reports of power steering failure. POWER TRAIN and ENGINE issues, particularly coolant leaks in EcoBoost models, are also extremely common. The high volume of complaints about catastrophic power steering failure indicates a potential mismatch between issue severity and manufacturer response.
The Focus accounts for 11,520 complaints, particularly from model years 2012-2018, overwhelmingly plagued by issues with its DPS6 dual-clutch automatic transmission. Consumers report severe shuddering, hesitation, and outright transmission failure. While Ford extended warranties and issued numerous TSBs related to the Transmission Control Module (TCM) and clutch assembly, the sheer number of continued complaints suggests these fixes were often temporary or insufficient.