I've had plenty of Ford in the bay over the years, and the engine complaints on these don't surprise me. 20,578 on the NHTSA record across 276 model-year entries (2005–2024) is not a fluke. The complaints are spread across the lineup — no single model is doing all the work. That tells you it's an engineering or supplier pattern, not a one-off bad year. 3 fatality reports on file with NHTSA tied to this category on Ford vehicles. That elevates this from nuisance to safety-critical. Repair exposure averages $3,100, which is meaningful money outside warranty. Across the 12,400 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 71,600 miles. Budget for a real pre-purchase inspection — compression and leakdown test, not just a code scan. Both are cheap and tell you what is left in the engine.
ProblemsByVin FORD / ENGINE
276 model-year entries · 2005–2024
Ford engine problems
20,578 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Ford vehicles for engine issues. 103 active recall campaigns. See engine across all makes →
Complaints
20,578
Recalls
103
Year-models
276
Avg fix
$3,100
116crashes
442fires
179injuries
3fatalities
Worst-affected Ford model-years for engine Top 25 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
2017 Ford Escape
1,692 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2018 Ford Escape
1,237 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2013 Ford Escape
1,036 complaints · 3 recalls · ~$3,100 moderate
2017 Ford Edge
770 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2014 Ford Escape
661 complaints · 1 recall · ~$3,100 severe
2018 Ford Ecosport
534 complaints · 1 recall · ~$3,100 moderate
2018 Ford Edge
507 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2016 Ford Fusion
446 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2017 Ford Fusion
421 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2019 Ford Ecosport
344 complaints · 1 recall · ~$3,100 moderate
2016 Ford Explorer
336 complaints · 1 recall · ~$3,100 moderate
2016 Ford Edge
335 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2013 Ford Fusion
317 complaints · 2 recalls · ~$3,100 severe
2019 Ford Escape
314 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2010 Ford Fusion
282 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2020 Ford Ecosport
277 complaints · 1 recall · ~$3,100 moderate
2011 Ford F-150
271 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2012 Ford F-150
264 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2013 Ford F-150
254 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2018 Ford Focus
247 complaints · 1 recall · ~$3,100 moderate
2015 Ford Fusion
245 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2018 Ford Fusion
217 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
2017 Ford Explorer
217 complaints · 1 recall · ~$3,100 severe
2015 Ford Explorer
206 complaints · ~$3,100 severe
2017 Ford Focus
196 complaints · 1 recall · ~$3,100 moderate
Active recalls — Ford engine 12 on file
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles
An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine pistons and replace the engine long block, if necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed September 4, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S61. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 28, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2
Engine failure can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, bearing failure may cause a breach in the engine block, allowing oil to leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine long blocks, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S58. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 18, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Bronco and Bronco Raptor vehicles
A short circuit in the engine compartment can create heat or spark, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will install sheathing over the wiring, free of charge. This is a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2026 Bronco Raptor notified owners on 7/31/2026. Phase 2 will include 2021-2025 Bronco Raptor vehicle will notify owners on or about 8/14/2026. Phase 3 will include 2021-2026 Bronco will notify owners on or about 9/1/2026. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S55. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 23, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco vehicles
A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine long block, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in November 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S35. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 28, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer and Mustang vehicles
An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine for missing or mis-installed circlips and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S23. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 2, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles
An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the EGR valves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 31, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 4, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Mustang, Lincoln Corsair, and 2025 Maverick vehicles
An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components increases the risk of a fire. In addition, the loss of oil can result in engine seizure and loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the cylinder head assembly, free of charge. All affected vehicles are still within dealership inventory and therefore no owner notification letters will be mailed. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD3. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 24, 2025.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles that received an incomplete software update under recall 20V795
Direct contact with certain areas of engine cover surface in the passenger compartment may increase the risk of injury or burns to the skin of the driver or front seat passenger.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain calibration for heat management under elevated idle conditions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC7. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 22, 2025.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles
A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures and other vehicles, until the remedy is performed. Dealers will inspect and replace the battery junction box, as necessary, and remove a ground wire. On models equipped with standard-duty radiator fan motors, dealers will also install an auxiliary electrical box with a wire jumper. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's numbers for this recall are 22S36 and 22S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 23, 2025.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Transit, F-150, and Explorer vehicles
A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the connecting rods and replace the engine long block assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S55.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Escape, and 2025 Bronco Sport vehicles
An oil leak can result in loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the cylinder head assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S61.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape, 2021-2023 Corsair, and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles equipped with 2
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S54.
Common questions
How many Ford engine complaints are on file with NHTSA?
20,578 complaints across 276 model-year entries from 2005 to 2024. 103 active recall campaigns cover engine issues across the Ford lineup.
Which Ford model has the most engine complaints?
The 2017 Ford Escape leads with 1,692 complaints in this category. Next: 2018 Escape (1,237) and 2013 Escape (1,036).
What does it cost to fix Ford engine problems?
Independent shops average $3,100 for engine repairs across the Ford lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Ford engine recalls?
Yes — 12 active recall campaigns cover engine on Ford vehicles. Recall fixes are free regardless of mileage or warranty status. The list below shows current campaigns with their NHTSA numbers.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Mark Driver, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Ford.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.