My reliability gamble - returning to Ford

[Pop2020]

So, guys, I've been partial to Fords in earlier years. I inherited a '76 Maverick from my parents when I was 16, then bought an '86 Tempo new, inherited/"bought for a dollar" an '86 Taurus from my parents and had a '96 Windstar before ending up with a new 2006 Ridgeline whose untimely end in Jan 2020 has led me to the Maverick.

While my past experiences with Ford reliability has been acceptable, based on my recent and current stable of cars - '97 Camry still in service, 2012 Highlander and my deceased 2006 Ridgeline, I wonder how much I'm gambling with a first-year Ford.

My '97 Camry is all but bulletproof and even with bad paint and 236k miles, I've still barely spend more than $1000 in 13 years on non-wear-and-tear items (couple thousand on worn suspension components in the last few years were the two major expenses). My Highlander has cost me $0 in failed items so far at 117k miles, but the automatic rear hatch motor isn't worked, so that's probably $1500-2000 should I get it fixed. My '06 Ridgeline encountered about $2500 in repairs (primarily leaking rack-and-pinion) over the course of 216k miles and 13 1/2 years of driving.

I'm probably trading some reliability by going with a Maverick over a newer model Ridgeline, but with an outfitted cost $7k-$8k less than what I would pay for a (new) Ridgeline and 42MPG, I'll offset some of that. Now that I'm permanently working from home, my Mav will probably only get 7 to 8k miles per year which means it will be ten years or more before I crack the 100k mile mark.

All that's my long winded way to query what the latest reliability experience other folks have had with Ford. Mine is almost 20 years old.

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[Egz]

2016 Fusion Hybrid, 115k: Half-shaft replaced under warranty at 55k, just standard maintenance. Still on factory brakes. Zero concerns about reliability.

I've had many other Fords, but they all were modified so not a good example.

 

[Rob Cactus Gray]

I’m sure there may be an issue or two pop up but nothing crazy. You do have an 8yr/100k miles hybrid power train warranty. This covers the below components. The engine has been made for over a decade and is tuned to the point it should not fail. There is no serpentine belt as the compressor, water pumps (Should be 2), and power steering are electric. The brake pads will ware down slowly thanks to regen braking. I see little overall cost in repairs. If you tow with the Hybrid the manual recommends more frequent fluid changes.

 

[jbpoole]

As a newborn, I came home from the hospital in a 1952 Mercury Monterey. (My dad only drove Fords.) Been riding in Fords ever since. The best has been a 2004 F-150 Heritage. Had 300k miles on it when it was damaged in a wreck. Still had the original engine and transmission. Retired from the state after 40 years. Drove Ford state cars for about 35 of those years. I liked my last issued car so much that I bought it for my son a few months after I retired. It's a 2012 Ford Fusion currently with 251K miles on it. I took very good care of it and have most of the service records. I believe the spark plugs and fuel filter are original. Runs great. Paid $2500 for it via online auction.

 

[dalola]

Everybody is building very reliable cars these days. There is always the occasional lemon that all OEM's will produce, but they are the exception by a wide margin.

With that mindset, get what you *enjoy driving* and fits the budget.

I have friends that generally dislike their vehicles, but are always mentioning how reliable they are, or what a good deal they got. OK. Different priorities I suppose...

Life is short, enjoy every moment!

 

[Clarkdonbran]

I’m feeling some of the same. I had a 2014 Fiesta. I really liked it and got great gas mileage but that transmission was horrific! I’m hopeful for the Mav though.

 

[NewBernWolf]

I think most personal cars and trucks built over the last 20 years are pretty reliable, and I can't think of any reason why this one would be different. Obviously, random new vehicles will have issues, but a lot of engineering and testing goes into these things, and government safety standards have to be met. Plus, no car manufacturer wants to be the company whose motor vehicles fail. Could your service department have to tighten something or replace something? Sure.

But I don't personally have any concerns about the general build of any motor vehicle in use today in the US.

 

[Sjbuck2021]

I think most personal cars and trucks built over the last 20 years are pretty reliable, and I can't think of any reason why this one would be different. Obviously, random new vehicles will have issues, but a lot of engineering and testing goes into these things, and government safety standards have to be met. Plus, no car manufacturer wants to be the company whose motor vehicles fail. Could your service department have to tighten something or replace something? Sure.

But I don't personally have any concerns about the general build of any motor vehicle in use today in the US.

I had 2 f150's..a 1986 strait six I loved. A 2002 which rotted out terrible. I had to junk it. So batting 50%. I will definitely go with nh oil undercoating. Fords don't hold up well with the salt.

 

[NewBernWolf]

I had 2 f150's..a 1986 strait six I loved. A 2002 which rotted out terrible. I had to junk it. So batting 50%. I will definitely go with nh oil undercoating. Fords don't hold up well with the salt.

Your experience is based on a sample size of 2 vehicles built 16 years apart. By that measurement, I had a 1998 Honda Accord that had to have a new transmission at 52k miles and a 2008 Prius that had to have a new gas tank at 124k miles. So both Honda and Toyota build questionable cars.

 

[Ringo]

does driving my 1953 F100 at least once a week count ??

 

[OldSoulNewMaverick]

Am I the only one questioning the OP's use of "domestic"? Can it really be domestic if it's built in Mexico?
I too, questioned the reliability....especially for a first model year build. But the cost and specs are better than I ever imagined. Worth the gamble IMHO, and the factory warranty will cover the first few years' peace of mind.

 

[rupzuk]

26% domestic IIFC.
As to the OP’s reliability question I’ve never had all that great luck with Ford, my last one was a ‘05 F250 SD 4x4 with the 3 valve 5.4….
loved the truck but it had an undeniable attraction to gas stations and repair shops….
So Ford better have stepped it up because this is their last chance with me, or so I tell myself.
The wife thinks I’m nuts, maybe I’m a masochist, lol.
That said, she’s considering a Ford too, if this one goes good I’m sure a Bronco Sport is in her future.

 

[Packer Bill]

Talking about reliability, my Mazdas since '92 have been very reliable...only $500 in repairs between 4 vehicles. However, I do plan on getting the extended warranty for the Maverick since Ford is only average in regards to reliability.

 

[14mustangNJ]

I think you’ll be fine with reliability, I’ve been impressed with the post 2011 Fords myself and don’t know of anyone that’s had major problems with them except for diesels, which is widely known at this point. Currently rocking a 2014 Mustang that’s been solid for years. As others stated, Ford has come a long way in quality and as someone who’s owned a ton of Fords, quality is leaps and bounds above where they were in the low cost segments decades ago.

I wouldn’t count Mexico as being bad either unless we are talking Volkswagen. Hermosillo is where my FWD 1996 Ford Escort LX 5 speed hatch was built that I drove years ago. Dog slow of a car with a loud interior on the highway but it lasted nearly 200k of relentlessly being beat on, always returned great gas mileage and was a trooper year-round. I literally did only basic maintenance to it which were tires, one clutch, brakes and oil changes. Never did anything else to it. I owned FWD Honda’s and Toyota’s after it and they weren’t as reliable, despite being in much better condition than the escort. Neither did well in the snow like that car did either even with better tires, modern safety tech, etc. I never felt that escort being built in Hermosillo was a bad thing. It felt like it was put together well for what it was and frankly a tank for a cheap car.

The main struggle many people will have is long-term quality, especially with the interior. At this price point, you’ll have to deal with interior scratches, noise, excessive wear, squeaks and quirks. For me, I don’t care and as long as I can touch it up or stuff some foam/sound deadening somewhere, throw on some seat covers, etc I’m good. I fully expect my Maverick will be a trooper like my ford escort back in the day as Ford is trying to grow a customer base with this truck vs some of their previous economy/compact vehicles that they were mainly just taking a piece of market share that already existed, because they would be just shooting themselves in the foot if they are going to build something that won’t last a few years.

 

[clippedwings]

The biggest risk we face with current vehicles is their complexity. My first vehicle was a 1957 Chevy. I could open the hood and describe anything you pointed to - and could repair most any of it myself (including an engine re-build). Modern vehicles are probably remarkably reliable considering their complexity, but when something DOES go wrong, even someone like me is no longer able to fix it, and the bill you get from the repair shop is likely to be LARGE. About 4 years in, my 2016 Transit Connect's SYNC audio module went South. The cost to replace it at the dealership was over $3000. A friendly service guy told me this was a common failure. I went toa commercial audio installer and put in a touch screen head unit with upgraded speakers for 1/3 what the dealer wanted. While I wait for my fully-loaded 2.0 Lariat I sometimes think I've gone off the deep end to order a vehicle with so many potential failure points, but even the XL has countless electronic components that could fail. I justify it because I'm old enough that this could be my last new vehicle, and I want just a little taste of luxury and appointments before the take my license away.

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