Ford's hybrid lineup includes the Fusion Hybrid, Explorer Hybrid, Escape Hybrid and the discontinued C-Max model.
Offering excellent fuel economy and cost savings, Ford hybrids have gained popularity among budget-conscious Americans.
Limited use of fossil fuels means you can save money and the environment by purchasing one of these models. However, you might be interested in the durability of these models. Are they even as durable as advertised?
let's find out
How long do Ford hybrids last?
The average Ford hybrid can last between 150,000 and 200,000 miles. If you drive about 15,000 miles a year, the lifespan of your Ford hybrid should reach the 10 to 13 year range. This is about the same number of miles/years you get from regular gas powered models.
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How many kilometers can you expect from a Ford Hybrid?
With regular maintenance, a Ford hybrid vehicle can provide you with up to 200,000 miles of service.
If you can afford to change the battery, the car might last even longer.
Hybrid batteries are expensive, and many owners choose to leave the vehicle rather than replace the battery at the end of its life.
We also found that some Ford hybrid owners had reported far higher mileage numbers. For example, in an article on MotorBiscuit.com describing high-mileage Escape hybrids, one vehicle had clocked up a whopping 618,000 miles!
As with many vehicles, driving habits and maintenance affect the longevity of Ford hybrids.
If you engage in aggressive driving, your Ford hybrid may fail before it reaches 150,000 miles on the odometer. A gentle driving style reduces component wear and extends the life of your Ford Hybrid.
Here are some routine maintenance to perform on your Ford hybrid if you want to extend its life:
Regular oil changes:
Ford hybrids run on synthetic oil that needs topping up once every 5,000 miles.
Regular fluid checks:
You should always check the transmission oil level in the vehicle.
It is advisable to change the transmission oil every 40,000 km.
Clean/replace your filters regularly:
Air filters and oil filters should be cleaned or replaced at the intervals recommended in the service manual.
How long do Ford hybrids last compared to similar vehicles?
This is how Ford hybrids compare to comparable models:
Ford Fusion vs Hyundai Sonata
For the most part, the Ford Fusion and Hyundai Sonata are tied to longevity; Both models can last up to 200,000 miles.
However, in the long run you save more with the Sonata than with the Fusion.
The former offers 25mpg while the latter only offers 23mpg.
In addition, the Sonata has a better reliability rating and lower maintenance costs.
It ranks 5th in RepairPal's reliability rankings for midsize cars, while the Fusion is a distant 18th. The Hyundai Sonata also has a lower annual maintenance cost of $458 compared to the Ford Fusion's annual maintenance cost of $581.
Ford Escape vs Toyota Highlander
Both large SUVs, the Ford Escape and Toyota Highlander, have about the same mileage.
With regular maintenance, the Escape can go up to 250,000 miles, as can the Toyota Highlander.
Not surprisingly, the two vehicles were on an iSeeCars ranking of the most durable hybrid vehicles.
However, you should also know that the Highlander has a better reliability rating and lower maintenance costs than the Escape.
RepairPal puts the Highlander's annual maintenance cost at $489, which is over $100 less than the Escape ($600), and the Highlander received a 4.0 Predicted Reliability Rating from J.D Power.
In comparison, the Escape had a lower predicted reliability rating of 3.5.
Ford C-Max vs Toyota Prius V
Although the C-Max has since been discontinued in the US, it is still available as a used vehicle.
Compared to the Toyota Prius, the Ford C-Max has a shorter lifespan that ranges from 150,000 to 200,000 miles. In contrast, Toyota's reliable Prius can last up to 250,000 miles.
Surprisingly, the Ford C-Max has the same reliability rating as the Toyota Prius (4.0). However, the latter has cheaper maintenance costs ($408) than the former ($557).
This is important as maintenance costs add up quickly over time and often affect a car's lifespan.
If maintenance becomes expensive, an owner may choose not to keep the car running.
How reliable are Ford hybrids?
Ford vehicles have always had mixed performance in the reliability department, and it's no different with the hybrid models.
Save for a model or two. Ford hybrids are often less reliable than their competitors from Toyota, Honda and Co.
For example, only one Ford hybrid appeared in an iSeeCars ranking of longest-lasting hybrids, the Escape Hybrid.
In comparison, Toyota and Honda each had two models on the seven-car list.
The best and worst years for Ford hybrid models
As we delve into Ford's hybrid lineup, we'll look at them individually:
Ford Fusion
According to CarComplaints, 2010 is the worst year on record for the Fusion Hybrid.
That year, the Fusion was plagued by several problems, including power steering failure and engine stalling.
The best year for the Fusion is 2019, from which we've only found a record of a single complaint.
Ford escape
According to records, the worst year for the Ford Escape hybrid is the 2006 model year.
Common problems encountered on this year's vehicle include rear differential failure and catastrophic engine failure.
In comparison, the best year for this model is 2012 with the fewest complaints.
Ford C Max
The best year for the discontinued Ford C-Max is 2018, its last year of production.
On the other hand, the worst year for the Ford C-Max is the 2013 model year. That year, complaint collector CarComplaints.com received over 300 complaints about this model.
Common problems include dead batteries, defective radio, premature engine stalls and steering failure.
What about recalls for these models?
Over the years, Ford has conducted dozens of recalls on its models, including hybrid variants.
Below we have ranked the different hybrid models according to the number of their recalls:
- Ford Fusion Hybrid – 2
- Ford Escape-Hybrid – 5
- Ford C-Max Hybrid – 12
From the data above, the C-Max is the most remembered Ford hybrid, while the Fusion Hybrid is the least remembered model.
Are Ford hybrids expensive to maintain?
Compared to other models, Ford hybrids are expensive to maintain.
To illustrate, we've compared the maintenance costs of the models to the average in their respective segments:
Ford C Max
The annual maintenance cost of the Ford C-Max is $557, higher than the average cost for small cars ($526). However, only 10% of Ford C-Max repairs are major, lower than the segment average (11%).
Ford escape
You should expect to spend $600 a year servicing the Ford Escape.
This is higher than the average cost for compact SUVs ($521). Competitors including the Toyota Highlander ($489) and Nissan Rogue ($467) have lower running costs.
Ford Fusion
The Ford Fusion has annual maintenance costs of $581, which is higher than the average for midsize cars ($526).
The Hyundai Sonata ($458) and Toyota Camry ($388) are cheaper to maintain.
How long do the brakes last?
The brakes on the average Ford hybrid have a lifespan of 30,000 to 60,000 miles.
However, this number may vary depending on factors such as driving habits and mileage.
Ford also recommends that the brakes be serviced every 15,000 miles.
This includes checking the wear of the brake pads and topping up the brake fluid.
How long do the hybrid batteries last?
Typically, battery packs in Ford hybrids last up to eight years or 80,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Nonetheless, you can extend the life of your hybrid battery to 100,000 miles by storing it in a cool storage area.
How long do the tires last?
Ford offers a 36,000-mile warranty on its OEM tires and advises owners to change tires after six years.
However, depending on the brand of standard tires on your vehicle, they can last up to ten years.
How long do the transfers take?
Your Ford hybrid's transmission should last between 150,000 and 200,000 miles provided you maintain it properly.
This includes regular checks and changing the transmission oil every 30,000 to 60,000 miles.
How long do the spark plugs last?
According to Ford, the spark plugs on a Ford hybrid should last up to 100,000 miles before they need to be replaced.
However, if you drive aggressively or drive frequently in stop-and-go traffic, the plugs may need to be changed after 60,000 miles.
What about insurance costs?
The annual cost of insurance for a Ford hybrid is $1,404 ($117 per month).
However, this number may vary depending on the model, regional differences and insurer tariffs.
Tips for extending the life of your Ford hybrid vehicle
Here are tips to help you maximize the life of your Ford hybrid vehicle:
1. Regular maintenance
Your Ford Hybrid comes with a service manual detailing the maintenance items to be performed on the vehicle.
Ensure that:
- Maintenance is carried out according to the schedule indicated in the manual.
- Servicing is carried out at a reputable dealer with trained technicians.
2. Reduce aggressive driving
Aggressive driving habits such as accelerating from a standing start and constantly braking and accelerating will shorten the life of your vehicle.
A relaxed driving style limits wear and tear on internal components and extends their lifespan.
3. Stay away from vehicle modifications
Performance modifications may add more power to your Ford hybrid vehicle, but will ultimately shorten its lifespan.
Because these modifications often increase the load on the vehicle components and increase wear.
References:
For this Ford Hybrid, 300,000 miles is just a starting point
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