Why Ford Vehicles Aren't for Everyone
Ford is one of the biggest names in the automotive industry, but the “Ford Tough” design ethos may not be for you. Here we take a look at some of the reasons that Ford may not be the car you want to choose for yourself. Let’s take a look at some of these reasons.
Inferior Infotainment Systems
Ask anyone with a decent Ford model, and they’ll tell you that it’s great to drive. The rest of the experience, though? Let’s just say that Ford’s infotainment systems could use a bit more work. If they’re not outright dysfunctional, then they’re still miles behind their competition.
Underpowered Engines in Certain Vehicle Segments
This one hurts to admit, but it’s true. Some Ford vehicle segments - particularly their smaller models - have been known to feel sluggish in terms of performance and power. Not everyone needs a rip-roaring V8 under the hood, but most people will agree that driving a sluggish car is no fun.
Poor Visibility in Some Models
Visibility isn’t a specification that you will typically see spoken about, at least by regular Joe’s like you or me. But it’s key to safe driving practices, and unfortunately, some Ford models lack proper visibility, either due to high beltlines or small windows that create big, glaring blindspots.
Ineffective Climate Control Systems
If a car can safely get you from point A to point B, it’s technically a success. That said, there’s no reason for you to sacrifice your comfort levels - which is something some Fords unfortunately demand due to their ineffective climate control systems.
Lack of Driver Assistance Features in Lower Trim Levels
Our obsession with virtual this and that has made things like driver assistance features seem more like a necessity than the luxury they are. Still, it would be nice for even budget-conscious buyers to be able to reap the benefits of such systems. And if you agree with that, then Ford may not be for you.
Harsh Ride Quality on Some Models
“Built Ford tough”. That’s the guarantee, right? Unfortunately, drivers will need to be tough as well in order to handle the harsh ride quality of some models. These cars may be able to handle the off-road like nobody’s business, but sometimes it feels like the off-road follows you wherever you go.
Limited Cargo Space in Some Models
Depending on your needs, cargo space may not be a big concern for you. That said, if you want the option of being able to haul anything more than a couple of grocery bags, we’d suggest avoiding certain Ford vehicles, especially their compact SUVs.
Rust and Corrosion Problems
Nothing ages a car faster and more expeditiously than rust. Fortunately, with proper care and regular maintenance, most cars will only start to rust after you’ve already traded it in for a newer model. Not so with certain Ford models, however.
Issues With Sync System Reliability
Going back to Ford’s infotainment systems, sync reliability has also been an issue present in many models, leading to numerous headaches for drivers who are forced to disconnect and reconnect their Bluetooth devices just to get them working.
Limited Customization Options
Most people working on a budget aren’t going to worry about customizing their ride too much. That said, those with the money to spare will be sorely disappointed by Ford’s overall lack of customization options.
Overreliance on EcoBoost Engines
Ford’s EcoBoost engines may, in fact, represent the future of gas-powered vehicles. Unfortunately, there are definitely still some kinks that need to be ironed out, kinks that many unlucky drivers have been forced to deal with, leading to high maintenance and repair bills.
Lack of Innovation in Some Vehicle Segments
It sounds ridiculous to imply that Ford - once the leader in automotive innovation in America - isn’t as innovative today as it once was. More and more, it seems clear that Ford has settled into a comfortable and conservative groove for themselves, one which doesn’t leave much room for experimentation and boundary-pushing.
High Cost of Ownership
As one of the foremost brands in automotive engineering, you can expect to pay a high price just for the opportunity to own a Ford. Unfortunately, you may also end up paying more than you bargained for when you factor in all the repair and maintenance costs that often come with having a Ford.
Limited Off-Road Capabilities
It seems almost blasphemous to assert that some Ford models just aren’t as tough as they’re made out to be, but that’s the reality we live in. While the Raptor and Bronco can still handle the off-road with the best of them, other models like the Focus are more at home cruising the roads and highways.
Potential Build Quality Issues
While not every Ford is built equally, there are times when this becomes glaringly obvious. Whether it’s an iffy paint job or rattling trim pieces, these issues are enough to turn away even the most loyal of Ford fans.
Transmission Problems in Specific Model Years
While transmission issues aren’t specific to Ford, the company’s PowerShift dual-clutch automatic transmission (as featured in models like the Fiesta) is so notorious that it’s even led to lawsuits due to its jerkiness, shuddering, and occasional sudden loss of power.
Warranty Not as Great as Other Brands
One of the most important things to consider when buying a car actually has nothing to do with the car itself (at least in a physical sense). We’re talking about warranties, of course, which is yet another area where Ford tends to fall short.
Noise and Vibration Issues Reported in Some Vehicles
As if having a harsh ride wasn’t enough, some Ford models “enhance” this experience further by also being loud as all hell. Whether it’s a noisy cabin or unbearable vibrations in general, some Ford models are real rollercoasters.
Limited Hybrid Options in Some Vehicle Categories
Some insist that electric vehicles are the future. Many brands have, at the very least, begun to offer hybrid options to appease fans of both worlds. Unfortunately, Ford’s hybrid variety is sorely lacking, which has led many people toward other brands more in tune with their needs.
Some Cars Have Dated Designs
Taste is a completely subjective thing. What you like in one car may be at odds with what everyone else appreciates. That said, most people will agree that, in terms of visuals alone, many Ford models seem a little stuck in the past.
Limited Dealership Network in Some Areas
Depending on where you live, your access to a good Ford dealership may be severely limited, particularly in rural areas. That essentially makes routine maintenance checks and repairs that much more difficult since you’ll invariably drive longer and farther just to get hold of a Ford mechanic.
Higher Insurance Rates on Some Models
While not strictly a Ford issue, it is worth noting that some models come with way higher insurance premiums than other cars. The Ford Mustang, for example, comes with some truly staggering insurance costs due to its classification as a sports car and higher likelihood for, uh, aggressive driving.
Longer Wait Times on Parts
Having to replace a specific part for your vehicle is always going to take a little bit of time, but Ford, in particular, seems to be perfectly content with making their customers wait ages just for some doohickey or another that another brand would have provided sooner.
Handling and Driving Dynamics May Not Satisfy Everyone
Taste is, again, a purely subjective thing. Ford vehicles tend to be a bit rough in terms of handling, which is the very reason why some people buy them in the first place. That said, not everyone is going to enjoy the “rugged” Ford driving dynamics.
Few Luxury Options Available
Ford has always been “for the people”, for the most part, but that doesn’t mean that their luxury options should be as scant as they currently are. Your best bet is a Lincoln (Ford’s upscale brand), but even then, many other luxury sedans are better.
Plenty of Recalls
It’s honestly a miracle that Ford’s reputation remains (mostly) as stellar as it is. The company has seen many of its models be recalled, either due to minor quality issues or potentially dangerous mechanical flaws, neither of which is something a manufacturer should want to be associated with.
Fuel Efficiency Is Lacking in Many Models
Fuel efficiency isn’t something that people consider upon their initial purchase, but it can often be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Some Ford models - particularly in their SUV segments - tend to really poop the bed in terms of fuel efficiency, ultimately driving up their costs even more.
Costly Repairs on Some Models
It’s no secret that cars tend to become more expensive to repair the older they get due to the lack of specific parts available. Unfortunately, some models - like the F150 - also require specialized labor to repair or maintain, labor that definitely doesn’t come cheap.
No Options for Sedans and Compact Cars
In one bold and woefully misguided decision, Ford discontinued many of their sedan and compact cars, including the ever-popular Focus, Fusion, and Taurus, totally alienating buyers who prefer smaller vehicles.
Limited Electric Cars Available
Despite once being at the cutting edge of automotive engineering, Ford has lagged behind drastically in the electric race. While they have introduced electric versions of the Mustang and F-150, many buyers would never have been able to afford these beasts in the first place.
Customer Service Issues
Complaining about customer service almost seems cliche at this point, but that’s exactly where we find ourselves with Ford. Whether it’s the difficulty that comes with reaching knowledgeable support staff or simply scheduling a repair, Ford really knows how to fumble the bag.
Questionable Long-Term Durability
The very idea that the old “Ford tough” mantra may be a lie makes us question the very fabric of existence. Unfortunately, some Ford models have raised major concerns as to their longevity, particularly with regard to their transmission systems.
Safety Concerns
You can complain about the transmission; you can complain about the paint job; you can complain about the way the sun reflects off the hood at a certain time of day. But one thing you never want to be concerned about when purchasing a car is safety. Sadly, some Ford models have raised some red flags in that regard, with the Explorer - for example - coming under fire for its high rollover risk.
Poor Resale Value
Resale value is something you should be thinking about when you go to purchase a new car. There will one day come a time when you’ll want to trade it in for a newer model, and when that day comes, you’ll want the most bang for your buck. Unfortunately, many Ford models have been found to depreciate much faster than their competitors.
Uninspiring Driving Dynamics
We’ve returned to the topic of driving dynamics time and again throughout this list. Unfortunately, even those Ford models that don’t jitter and rumble with every mile tend to still be pretty uninspiring in terms of dynamics, leading to a dull driving experience overall.
Limited Technology Features
There was once a time when it was very difficult to fault Ford’s engineering. Unfortunately, that can’t be said for their software, which has lagged behind their competitors for years.
Lackluster Interior Quality
Considering that most of your driving experience will (hopefully) be spent inside the cabin, you’ll want yours to look nice and hold up well - both of which many Ford models simply can’t guarantee.
Subpar Fuel Efficiency
Many of Ford’s most popular models (such as the F-150) are absolute fuel-guzzlers, with that specific model receiving an mpg rating of a measly 16.
Depreciation
We’ve already mentioned that many Ford models tend to have poor resale values. However, depreciation affects more than just the resale price - it affects how much money you need to put into the machine just to keep it running at an acceptable standard.
Reliability Concerns
Finally, many Ford models have faced scrutiny regarding their questionable reliability. In particular, the Focus was criticized for its transmission problems, while the F-150 came under fire for its EcoBoost engine.
Styling Can Be Dated
We talked about design being dated, but the internal styling can also be something that turns a buyer off a model. With Ford taking a while to get up to date, you may find that some of the models you’re looking at have very dated styling and interiors that don’t suit you.
