Buying a used Ford is a smart buying decision. Not only will it help you avoid the steepest part of the depreciation curve, but you’ll also be able to choose from countless bargain options and, if you play it right, potentially get a cheaper premium. But experienced hagglers know that the used car market can be a tricky minefield if you don’t have the right information. Ultimately there is a real risk of poor financial condition of the vehicle, extremely high mileage, flood damage or reliability issues.
Fortunately, you can further improve the odds in your favor by doing research and getting the right checks. Starting your research with owner quotes is a good first step because it can help you know in advance whether the owners of the vehicle you want to buy are satisfied with it or find it reliable. In a recent compilation, Consumer Reports put together a list of 42 used cars to avoid buying because they are considered more likely than similar vehicles to break down and incur expensive repair bills. That’s based on data submitted by members to the organization’s annual car survey, and we’re looking at the Ford models that appear in it: Bronco Sport, Explorer, F-150 Hybrid, Expedition and Escape Hybrid.
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2021 Ford Mustang Sport
2021 Ford Bronco Sport on the Rocks – Ford
Billed as a small Bronco that rides and handles well in the city and on rough off-road terrain, the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport is expected to perform well. Unfortunately, its shine was overshadowed by a high failure rate, which resulted in it receiving a poor rating in Consumer Reports’ reliability survey. The car has also been recalled 15 times due to numerous faults, including fires and short circuits, oil leaks, braking problems, loss of driving power and operating and control issues. In models equipped with the turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-three engine, the injector can rupture and leak fuel into the engine compartment, further increasing the risk of fire.
The Ford Bronco Sport has received 600 complaints on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website. In fact, many of the complaints involved SUVs actually catching fire and burning down. If you still choose this car, it’s a wise precaution to consider a model with the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine. The more powerful powertrain appears to be free of some of the issues that plague the three-cylinder mill.
2020 Ford Explorer
A 2020 Ford Explorer Platinum parked on a snowy road – Ford
As the first car of the sixth-generation model, the completely redesigned 2020 Ford Explorer brings many anticipated upgrades. One of the most notable changes is the adoption of a new platform and rear-wheel drive setup. The move was motivated by a desire to improve power, handling and towing capabilities. While the 2020 model delivers on that promise and even introduces the first Explorer Hybrid, so many additional new technologies and features don’t do much good for its reliability.
The SUV has been recalled 30 times to date, with the most common recalls related to the powertrain and rearview camera. With the latter, the image may intermittently not be displayed when reversing, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Other common problems include exhaust leaks, leaking CV boots, failed rear axle bolts, cam phaser noise on cold starts, squealing noises when downshifting, and more.
2022-2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid
A 2022 Ford F-150 XLT Powerboost Hybrid parked on a paved road with trees and other cars in the background – YouTube/Island Ford
We’ve previously praised the arrival of the Ford F-150 Hybrid for taking half-ton pickups to the next level. With up to 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque, a 12,700-pound towing capacity, a 25-mpg fuel economy rating, a quiet cabin, and a long list of technology and safety systems, it does its job well. But it can also make the owner experience a frustrating (and often expensive) ownership experience. Consumer Reports noted in its latest rankings that 2022-2023 hybrid pickup models have particularly poor reliability.
The main problem points with these models are the powertrain, transmission, electronics, climate control and hybrid battery. Its 2021 model doesn’t fare much better, meaning the F-150 Hybrid ranks as one of the least reliable vehicles for the third year in a row. However, despite seemingly ongoing reliability issues, Ford F-150 PowerBoost owner satisfaction appears to be high. In this regard, both the 2022 and 2023 models received above-average ratings in CR’s survey.
2018-2019 Ford Expedition
A white 2018 Ford Expedition parked on the paved road in front of the building – Ford
Like the F-150 Hybrid above, the Ford Expedition is a common vehicle on Consumer Reports’ list of least reliable used cars. The Expedition’s 10-speed automatic transmission (also known as the 10R80) has a known defect where the bushing within the CDF drum can move out of position. This can cause one of the Teflon ring seals to break and cause a subsequent loss of hydraulic pressure, which can cause the transmission to slip gears or accidentally jump into neutral. The problem may also manifest itself as harshness or delay when shifting or engaging, according to a technical service bulletin issued by Ford.
In addition to CDF drum issues, Ford Expedition transmissions are also known for valve body and housing issues. Other problems with the SUV itself include brake fluid leaks, suspension issues, cam phaser issues, and parking feature failures that can cause the vehicle to slide sideways when parked. All of these complaints resulted in approximately 11 recalls of the 2018 Expedition. The 2019 model has been recalled eight times so far.
Ford Escape Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid
A 2023 Ford Escape ST-Line Hybrid in a parking lot – Wikimedia Commons/deathpallie325
The compact Escape is another Ford model that displeases many drivers. Consumer Reports lists the 2020-2021 and 2023 models as the worst offenders, with 2022 and 2023 plug-in hybrid models also experiencing poor reliability. Ford Escape Hybrid owners have been forced to endure build quality issues, with some complaining about door welding issues that can cause hinges to fail and the doors to fly open while driving.
Squeaky brakes, transmission problems, premature 12V battery failure, and problems with the in-car electronics also appear to be common issues with the Escape Hybrid. Specific reports on plug-in models indicate that they tend to suffer from many of the same issues, including issues with the 12V battery. Just last year, Ford was forced to recall its Escape plug-in hybrid due to concerns that a manufacturing defect could damage the isolation layer of the high-voltage battery, potentially causing a fire. A black infotainment screen and a malfunctioning head-up display are also common problems with the aforementioned Escape plug-in hybrid.
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