Poor Resale Value
Getting a decent resale value for your car on the used market isn't always easy. You're at the mercy of the buyer! But some motors have it worse than others, folks. Which brings us to Ford. Certain vehicles under its banner struggle like crazy to get a good resale price.
High Cost of Ownership
Here's a word of warning to anyone who's looking for a vehicle on a tight-budget — don't go down the Ford route. Those cars can drain your finances very quickly! From the initial purchase price to the maintenance costs, you'll be left with a light wallet for as long as you own certain models.
Longer Wait Times on Parts
There's nothing more frustrating than waiting for a replacement car part — especially if it's a major component. Unfortunately, a lot of Ford owners have gone through that experience over the years. For whatever reason, parts for those motors seem to take an age to track down and install.
Poor Visibility in Some Models
How's this for a terrible checklist? A selection of Ford models are known to have small windows, thick pillars, and high beltlines. None of that's good for visibility. One obstruction is bad enough, but all three? Yikes. Who wants to deal with that! Best of luck trying to navigate through tight spaces...
Underpowered Engines in Certain Vehicles
Is there anything more disappointing than a wet lettuce of an engine? It can suck the fun out of your journeys in an instant. So that brings us to Ford. Certain motors in its smaller segments are known to house incredibly weak engines, lacking both speed and acceleration. What a bummer!
Ineffective Climate Control Systems
It's sometimes easy to take the climate control system for granted in your car. But that's not the case if you own certain Ford vehicles. Many unhappy drivers have reported issues with their systems, claiming that neither the cooling nor heating are up to scratch. That's one way to ruin summer and winter road trips!
Lack of Driver Assistance Features in Lower Trim Levels
Hands up if you want your car to have the best driver assistance features possible. We don't blame you. The additional safety can put your mind at ease. On that note, you should probably swerve Ford's lower trim levels. They usually lack important systems such as lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Oof.
Limited Cargo Space in Some Models
If you value cargo space in your vehicles, then Ford could give you a serious headache. Its lineup is so inconsistent! The crossovers and small SUVs in particular can be very cramped, raising the ire of frustrated owners. Knowing that, would you buy one? Or opt for a more spacious Ford rival?
Harsh Ride Quality in Certain Models
There's nothing smooth about the ride quality in certain Ford vehicles. To call it harsh feels like an understatement! The manufacturer's SUVs and trucks are some of the biggest troublemakers in that respect. Their suspension systems can feel horribly rugged on city roads and highways. Could you stomach that?
Inferior Infotainment Systems
How much importance do you place on a good infotainment system? A lot? Well, you might want to swerve Ford then! The famous car manufacturer isn't known for placing cutting-edge tech in its vehicles. Instead, the systems are often cumbersome and janky, while updates can take an eternity to come out. It's a bit of a horror show in all honesty. But Ford is majorly lacking in other areas, too...
Rust and Corrosion Problems
Nothing ruins a car faster than corrosion and rust. It's horrible! Ford are certainly familiar with this — it's a problem that's plagued its vehicles for years. The salt from icy roads and cold weather conditions have done a real number on those cars, leaving them in a terrible state.
Limited Customization Options
Are you a fan of car customization? If so, we don't think you'll like Ford too much! The options just aren't there — especially when compared to other motoring companies. It's bland. Boring, even. Good luck finding any sort of vibrancy here. But the issues with Ford extend beyond this...
Issues With Sync System Reliability
Sync is a connectivity system found in many Ford models today. It helps with navigation, music choices, phone calls — that sort of stuff. But is it reliable? It doesn't seem that way! Bluetooth issues, voice command troubles, and frozen touchscreens are just some of the problems that folks have reported here.
Overreliance on EcoBoost Engines
Ah, the EcoBoost. These engines promise so much! We're talking awesome fuel efficiency, fewer emissions — how can you hate them? Well, plenty of folks do. Putting aside the positives, EcoBoost engines are also fraught with problems. They're surprisingly weak, overly complex, and can cost a fortune to fix.
Lack of Innovation in Some Vehicle Segments
Can Ford be considered as a great innovator today? It doesn't feel like it, in all honesty. Some of the company's car segments are so far behind the competition. Take its SUVs and trucks as an example. Sure they're reliable, but their fuel economy, tech, and on-board features could be a lot better.
Limited Off-Road Capabilities
Size doesn't always matter when it comes to off-road driving. If a subcompact car has the right setup, you could have a great deal of fun away from the busy streets. But can Ford offer that? Not quite. Smaller motors such as the Focus and the Fusion aren't equipped to go off the beaten track — no matter how hard you might will it!
Potential Build Quality Issues
Good performances and excellent features can't mask a car's iffy build quality for long. That's certainly the case with some Ford vehicles. Owners have flagged up bad paint jobs, rattling trim pieces, and other notable issues when examining their cars. Do you really want to go through the hassle of getting that stuff fixed?
Less Competitive Warranty Coverage Compared to Other Brands
At a glance, Ford's basic warranty coverage doesn't seem that bad. A three-year, 36,000-mile standard offer and a five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty? Sweet! But don't make any commitments just yet. The likes of Kia and Hyundai both have better coverage than Ford. The offers span a far-greater period of time.
Transmission Problems in Specific Model Years
Do you trust Ford's transmissions? No? Well, we don't blame you! Certain vehicles and model years have experienced major problems in that area. The F-150 is a good example. Lots of owners faced trouble when dealing with the 10-speed automatic transmission system. Hesitation and harsh shifting were frequently reported.
Noise and Vibration Issues Reported in Some Vehicles
Hands up if you like riding in a noisy cabin. Anyone? No? Okay, how about this — do you enjoy harsh vibrations rumbling throughout the interior? You don't like that, either? Hmm. Well, it might be wise to avoid certain Ford models then! The F-150 in particular has faced criticism on that front.
Limited Hybrid Options in Some Vehicle Categories
Should there be more hybrid options in Ford's lineup of vehicles? We'd say so. Some of the company's car categories are really lacking in that respect. The Explorer is an excellent example here. It's no longer sold as a hybrid in America to civilian drivers. Surely that's got to change, right!
Limited Dealership Network in Some Areas
If you own a Ford in a rural part of the country, you have our sympathies. Why's that? Well, the company's dealership network can be quite sparse in those areas, especially when compared to other brands. It makes repairs and routine maintenance that much harder, as you may need to travel out of your way to the closest Ford shop.
Some Models Have Dated Designs Compared to Rivals
It wouldn't be unfair to say that some Ford models feel like they're stuck in the past on the design front. The EcoSport was one of the worst offenders during its production run. Both the interior and the exterior were hopelessly dated. The Edge is another one today. It could do with a glow-up!
Higher Insurance Rates on Some Models
Are certain Ford models likely to give you a headache when it comes to insurance rates? You bet. The Mustang is a big problem in that respect. As a sports car, it usually comes with pricey premiums. A selection of Ford's trucks are in a similar spot as well. It sucks!
Handling Might Not Satisfy Everyone
We won't beat around the bush here — the handling in some of Ford's larger motors leaves a lot to be desired. For instance, the Explorer could certainly be more nimble on the road. And the same can be said about past Mustangs as well. Bummer!
Plenty of Recalls
Few things negatively affect consumer confidence quite like vehicle recalls. And boy, has Ford seen its fair share over the years. To give you a couple of examples, the Mustang Mach-E has been pulled up for power issues, while the F-150 has faced engine trouble. That's just the tip of the iceberg, folks!
Few Luxury Options Available
Ford's dedicated luxury division is pretty small compared to its competition nowadays. It only has Lincoln in its ranks. Meanwhile, a manufacturer like the Volkswagen Group can call upon Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley, and Audi. Talk about a stark difference! Ford has a heck of a time trying to compete with that.
High Fuel Costs
Looking to save on fuel costs? Well, you won't like dealing with a lot of Ford motors then! They can rack up some seriously high numbers at the gas pump. V8-powered Mustangs and larger trucks are among the worst offenders here, folks. Your wallet will be sweating bullets.
Costly Repairs on Some Models
Have you ever taken a high-performance Mustang into a repair shop? How about an F-150? No? Well, take it from us — these vehicles can tot up some very expensive bills. The same can be said of the Explorer, too! Fixing certain Ford models doesn't come cheap, folks.
No Options for Sedans and Compact Cars
Ford pulled out of the sedan and compact car market back in 2020 in America, switching its focus to SUVs and trucks. Where do you guys stand on this? For us, it's a pretty big fumble. So much money is getting left on the table here. People still want to buy these vehicles!
Customer Service Issues
There's no other way of saying this — Ford's customer service is pretty woeful. Folks have been complaining about it for years, flagging up long wait times and delays. They've also had trouble finding the right person for their problem. The responsiveness, or lack thereof, is another black mark.
Limited Electric Cars Available
Ford aren't strangers to the electric market. The F-150 Lightning? The Mustang Mach-E? Its EVs are out there. But boy, is that lineup limited when compared to other manufacturers. The company has some catching up to do! That lack of diversity could be a huge turn-off for many motorists.
Questionable Long-Term Durability
How tough are Ford motors in the long-run? Are they built to last? Well, that's questionable. While the likes of Honda and Toyota ace their durability assessments, the same can't be said about Ford. Early wear and tear and transmission issues are just some of the complaints leveled against its cars.
Safety Concerns
Would it be harsh to say that some Ford vehicles haven't helped themselves on the safety front? Probably not! Let's shine a light on the Focus, the Fiesta, and the Explorer in particular. They've all been chastized for iffy safety features over the years, leading to low user ratings.
Uninspiring Driving Dynamics
We'll be blunt here — certain Ford models have really lame driving dynamics. From the Fusion's unengaging performances to the Fiesta's unresponsive steering, it's pretty grim. You won't be coming back for more in these vehicles, folks. They're the complete opposite of exciting!
Limited Technology Features
Remember what we said about Ford's limited infotainment tech earlier? Well, it extends beyond that. The lack of eye-catching technology features in certain Ford motors is too hard to overlook. Advanced driver-assistance systems? Augmented reality navigation? Good luck finding any of that!
Lackluster Interior Quality
A bad interior can seriously hurt a car's appeal. Don't forget, that's where you'll be spending all your time on the road! Unfortunately for Ford, many of its vehicles suffer with that problem. The Escape, the Focus, and the Fiesta are particularly subpar once you open the doors.
Reliability Concerns
Do people have a right to be concerned about the reliability of certain Ford models? Yes! The Escape has experienced engine problems, the Focus is no stranger to transmission issues, and the Explorer has had trouble with its suspension. It's a proper laundry-list of worries.
Depreciation
Every car depreciates — it's something you've got to accept! But in the case of Ford, many of its vehicles have dreadful depreciation rates after five years of ownership. We're talking more than 50 percent here. Ouch! The Taurus, the Fiesta, and the Fusion are all at risk.
Subpar Fuel Efficiency
Get ready to wince — the following figures are really painful. Yep, when it comes to fuel efficiency, lots of Ford models struggle. The Explorer can only manage 20 mpg combined, while the F-150 Raptor registers 16 mpg. Oh, and the Focus? Less than 30 mpg combined. Yeesh. C'mon Ford. You can do better!
Through: Ivan Radic / Wikimedia Commons