FaultScore

Ford transmission problems

Owners have filed 52,970 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on Ford vehicles — 14% of everything reported about the brand, across 137 models. The model that accounts for most of them is the Ford F-150, worst in 2013.

These are raw counts. A model that sold in millions appears near the top for that reason alone — the grade never compares one model with another.

52,970

Complaints

14%

Share of all Ford complaints

1,336

Crashes

328

Fires

Which Ford models have the most transmission problems

F-150 9,023 17.0%

Worst in 2013

Focus 6,857 12.9%

Worst in 2014

Explorer 5,582 10.5%

Worst in 2002

Escape 4,667 8.8%

Worst in 2010

Fusion 3,141 5.9%

Worst in 2010

Taurus 3,035 5.7%

Worst in 1995

Windstar 2,729 5.2%

Worst in 1995

Edge 2,124 4.0%

Worst in 2019

Freestar 1,860 3.5%

Worst in 2004

Expedition 1,559 2.9%

Worst in 2020

Fiesta 1,509 2.8%

Worst in 2013

Freestyle 1,308 2.5%

Worst in 2006

Mustang 1,186 2.2%

Worst in 2011

Ranger 898 1.7%

Worst in 2019

F-250 SD 462 0.9%

Worst in 2020

Contour 435 0.8%

Worst in 1998

Aerostar 433 0.8%

Worst in 1992

F-250 427 0.8%

Worst in 1999

Escort 324 0.6%

Worst in 1998

F-350 309 0.6%

Worst in 1999

Five Hundred 305 0.6%

Worst in 2005

F-350 SD 293 0.6%

Worst in 2020

Bronco Sport 286 0.5%

Worst in 2021

Maverick Hybrid 276 0.5%

Worst in 2022

Thunderbird 252 0.5%

Worst in 1994

Crown Victoria 251 0.5%

Worst in 1993

F-150 Hybrid 242 0.5%

Worst in 2021

Transit 237 0.4%

Worst in 2015

Ecosport 216 0.4%

Worst in 2018

Escape Hybrid 157 0.3%

Worst in 2008

Fusion Hybrid 149 0.3%

Worst in 2010

Worst in 2001

Bronco 139 0.3%

Worst in 2022

Probe 118 0.2%

Worst in 1994

Mustang Mach E 109 0.2%

Worst in 2021

Flex 105 0.2%

Worst in 2009

Explorer Sport 102 0.2%

Worst in 2002

Transit Connect 99 0.2%

Worst in 2019

E-150 83 0.2%

Worst in 1994

Focus Electric 79 0.1%

Worst in 2013

Worst Ford model years for transmission problems

Vehicle Complaints Share of that year Median miles Grade
2014 Ford Focus 1,585 44% 40,500 F
2002 Ford Explorer 1,584 39% 80,000 F
2012 Ford Focus 1,457 29% 55,000 D
2013 Ford F-150 1,346 34% 94,350 F
2013 Ford Focus 1,108 38% 39,000 F
2018 Ford F-150 990 35% 60,000 D
1995 Ford Windstar 924 19% 93,586 C
2010 Ford Fusion 898 13% 51,000 B
2004 Ford Freestar 873 55% 85,000 F
2011 Ford F-150 826 28% 96,267 D
2019 Ford F-150 722 43% 66,750 F
2005 Ford Freestar 690 63% 81,000 F
2012 Ford F-150 679 28% 90,000 D
2016 Ford Focus 676 43% 64,500 F
2016 Ford F-150 560 22% 90,000 C
2015 Ford Focus 559 42% 60,000 F
2017 Ford F-150 529 29% 85,000 D
2010 Ford Escape 508 16% 51,430 B
2014 Ford Escape 492 18% 89,400 C
2006 Ford Freestyle 484 26% 78,000 D