Are Fords Expensive to Maintain?
Ford is one of the most well-known brands in the country—but it ranks 21 out of 32 for reliability. Here’s what you need to know about Ford maintenance costs.
Written by Bonnie Stinson
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
Ford is a fan-favorite manufacturer, known for their trucks and more recently for electric vehicles. The average annual repair cost for a Ford is $775.
The purchase price of your vehicle is only the first step. You’ll need to budget for proper maintenance to keep your Ford running smoothly. Plus, some makes and models cost more than others to maintain.
To help you understand what to expect with your new (or new-to-you) Ford, the
car insurance
comparison shopping and broker app Jerry
has compiled everything you need to know about whether Fords are expensive to maintain.How much maintenance does my Ford require?
Ford is known for average reliability and above average ownership costs. You can expect your Ford to require slightly more maintenance than most cars.
RepairPal observes that Fords tend to visit the repair shop about 0.3 times per year for unscheduled maintenance. About 15% of these repairs are considered severe. That rate is slightly higher than the national average of 12% across all models.
For comparison, Hyundais tend to visit the repair shop the same number of times but only have a 10% probability of needing a severe repair.
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How much does maintenance for a Ford cost?
On average, a Ford costs about $775 per year for standard maintenance.
However, your Ford maintenance cost will vary depending on the specific model you own. The price tag can be a good indicator. For example, a Ford Fiesta will cost less to maintain than a Ford Mustang.
Below are the average annual maintenance costs for a few popular Ford models.
Budget: Ford Fiesta
- Reliability: 4/5 (average)
- Annual maintenance cost: $444 (average)
- Repair frequency: 0.4 times per year (average)
Mid-range: Ford Expedition
- Reliability: 3/5 (average)
- Annual Maintenance cost: $618 (average)
- Repair Frequency: 0.2 times per year (average)
Splurge: Ford Mustang
- Reliability: 3.5/5 (average)
- Annual maintenance cost: $829 (average)
- Repair frequency: 0.6 times per year (average)
Why you should maintain your Ford
Here are some key benefits to performing regular maintenance on your Ford:
- Increased safety while driving
- Reduced costs by preventing expensive problems
- Best performance possible
- Retained high value
If you fail to do regular maintenance, you put yourself at risk of driving an unsafe vehicle. In addition, you increase the chances of having an expensive and inconvenient breakdown.
Key Takeaway More expensive Fords tend to cost more to maintain, although most Ford models share a similar (higher than average) annual maintenance cost.
How often does a Ford require maintenance?
Mileage | Service | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
Every 5,000 miles | Oil change, tire rotation | $50 to $80 |
Every 30,000 miles | Replace engine air filter, replace oil filter | $35 to $80 |
Every 60,000 miles | Inspect and lubricate all non-sealed steering linkage, inspect brake pads, inspect cooling system and hoses | $107 to $141 |
Every 100,000 miles | Replace spark plugs, change orange coolant | $355 to $430 |
Every 150,000 miles | Replace accessory drive belts, change manual transmission fluid | $291 to $389 |
Oil changes
- When: Usually required every 5,000 miles
- Cost: $30 to $60
- Why: To remove excess gunk that builds up in your engine from daily use
- DIY?: Maybe—if you have the right tools
Tire replacement
- When: NHTSA recommends that tires be replaced every six years, regardless of the number of miles driven
- Cost: $150 to $350 per tire
- Why: Worn-out tires are unsafe and can lead to poor traction
- DIY?: No—let a professional handle your tire replacement so they can ensure your new tires are balanced for a smooth ride
Engine replacement
- When: If the engine block is cracked, damaged in a collision, or simply worn out due to high-mileage
- Cost: $2,500 to $4,000
- Why: Prolong the life of your vehicle by making sure the engine is healthy
- DIY?: No—take the car to a reputable mechanic for an engine replacement
Windshield replacement
- When: If the crack is longer than your hand, extends to the outer edge of the windshield, or deep enough that it goes halfway into the windshield
- Cost: $300 to $500
- Why: A severely cracked windshield can impair your vision
- DIY?: No—avoid attempting to install a new windshield yourself
Paint
- When: Visible discoloration or paint peeling
- Cost: $1,000 to $4,500
- Why: A good paint job can help prevent corrosion and improve the resale value
- DIY?: Possible—but a professional-looking paint job requires specific tools and knowledge, not to mention a safe place to apply the paint
WiFi hotspot
- When: This is a regular monthly fee for Fords that have in-vehicle WiFi
- Cost: $20 per month
- Why: Stay connected on the road
- DIY?: N/A
Transmission
- When: If your vehicle is struggling to switch gears, grinding, or smelling odd
- Cost: $1,800 to $3,400
- Why: A healthy transmission facilitates cooling and lubrication
- DIY?: No—leave a transmission replacement to the experts
Rear window
- When: If it is cracked or damaged
- Cost: $289 to $463
- Why: A sturdy rear window means you can safely see cars behind you
- DIY?: No—get your rear window replaced by a professional
Finding cheap car insurance
No matter how well you maintain your Ford, your job as a car owner is not complete until you have great car insurance.
Jerry
can help you find the coverage you desire at a price you love. The app is built for comparison shopping and it generates custom quotes from top companies in just 60 seconds. It specializes in finding discounts, and it handles all the phone calls and paperwork so you don’t have to.
“
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was easy to use, and they saved me a lot of money on my truck. I would definitely recommend them.” ––Johannes T.Are you overpaying for car insurance?
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