Ford Edge Reliability

The Edge was Ford's first crossover debuting in 2007. Since then, Ford has sold more than 1.5 million units to customers all across the United States. That’s a significant amount of used Edges available to those looking for a medium-sized crossover. But the question remains, is it reliable, and should you fork over your hard-earned money for one? Will it be Blue Oval bliss or a maintenance headache? 

Determining that requires data, testimonials, and a bit of research. Thankfully, The Drive already did that for you! Time to parse out the variables. 

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Reliability depends on a host of variables, but the two biggest structural supports are the development and manufacturing of a vehicle. When auto manufacturers spend the time and money developing a car and its manufacturing line, a car tends to last longer. Hastily designed, poorly manufactured, and cheaply constructed materials will all reduce a car’s longevity and reliability.

There’s also a work ethic variable that cannot be ignored. Honda and Toyota’s cultures of reliability-over-all embody that ethic and have thus kept each’s legendary reliability in the minds of consumers for decades. Lexus spent 15 years creating the perfect paint, for goodness’ sake. Add longer-than-normal warranties and good customer service, and it’s easy to see why these Japanese companies have enjoyed their strong standings for so long.

Yet, once a car leaves the dealership lot, outside factors impact a car’s durability.

Short answer: you. The longer answer is a car’s reliability and longevity are inextricably tied to how you take care of your vehicle, your maintenance schedule (if you have one), your conservative or brash driving habits, and whether or not you live in climates where extreme weather could affect the car’s construction.

Preemptive maintenance like regular oil changes, fluid flushes, tire rotation, and fuel system cleaners, along with keeping the exterior and underside of your car clean, will all increase the life expectancy of your car. Keeping it out of the harsh desert or tropical sun, as well as away from the rust-inducing salted roadways of winter, will also extend its life.

And lastly, keeping the Mario Andretti driving antics to a minimum will keep your brakes, engine, tires, and chassis under-stressed and happy for far longer compared to hitting every trip to the grocery store like it’s the Indy 500. 

If you're looking for a new Ford Edge, or new to you Ford Edge, look no further than Carvana. One of the best new and used car websites around, you're sure to find your next car with Carvana. Click here to start searching.

Vehicle Type: Compact SUV

Doors: 4

Engine options: Turbocharged 2.0L EcoBoost I4, Turbocharged 2.7L EcoBoost V6, 3.5L V6

Total internal combustion range: 426 miles

As detailed above, reliability is generally something that depends on the person, the car, and the situation, so we can’t make a definitive statement that the Ford Edge is reliable or unreliable. 

To better assess its reliability, however, we’ve assembled several data points from numerous sources to present you with as much information as possible. Let’s start with common problems, as told by comments listed in the Edge’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) archives.

As collected by the NHTSA, these are the Edge’s issues throughout the years.

Recall: Inadequate Lubrication In Rear Drive Unit, Distorted or Inoperative Rearview Camera/FMVSS 111, Missing or Loose Bolts on Start/Stop Accumulator

Complaints: 15

Recall: Missing or Loose Bolts on Start/Stop Accumulator, Seat Belt Webbing May Detach From Anchor

Complaints: 48

Recall: Front Brake Hoses Could Rupture, Incorrect Length of Door Striker Bolts/FMVSS 206, Alternator and Starter Cables may be Loose, Torque Converter Connection may Fail

Complaints: 72

Recall: Front Brake Hoses Could Rupture, Torque Converter Connection may Fail, Improperly Welded Windshield Header/FMVSS 214, Frontal Air Bag may not Deploy Properly/FMVSS 208

Complaints: 181

Recall: Steering Gear Motor May Detach, Front Brake Hoses Could Rupture, Frontal Air Bag may not Deploy Properly/FMVSS 208, Software Affecting Stability Control/FMVSS 126,135

Complaints: 273

Recall: Steering Gear Motor May Detach, Loss of Power Steering Assist From Salt Corrosion, Software Affecting Stability Control/FMVSS 126,135, Front Brake Hoses Could Rupture

Complaints: 339

Recall: Link Shaft Brackets May Fracture, Improper Plating on Fuel Pump may Result in Stall, Halfshaft Disengagement/Loss of Drive/Roll Away

Investigations: Wheel Separation

Complaints: 204

Recall: Halfshaft Disengagement/Loss of Drive/Roll Away, Fuel Leak from Cracking In The Fuel Pulse Damper

Investigations: Door Ajar Warning Light Always On

Complaints: 1,879

As with other car brands, not all Edge models are built to the same exacting standards. Here’s a quick rundown of problematic Edge offerings, including the issues, customer complaints, and repair costs that will help you make the best decision when purchasing your next car.

Repair Costs: $400, according to CarComplaints.

Customer Complaint:

“This is the standard door ajar issue with the Ford Edge. I've researched it and obviously I'm not alone and Ford isn't moving to fix it. I've tried cleaning out the entire area with electrical cleaner and a legit pipe cleaner. I've tried white lithium grease, WD40, and chain/gear lube. Sometimes the sensor works for a few weeks. Sometimes it acts up after a few hours. It finally killed my battery this week. I'm still more worried about the doors not locking. While I can lock upfront manually my two year old in the back is riding with doors unlocked.” 

Repair Costs: $2,870, according to CarComplaints.

Customer Complaint:

“I am having similar transmission issues as many of the other posters on this forum (and all over the internet). The issue first occurred a few years ago. Driving as normal when the vehicle suddenly lost driving power. Multiple emergency light came up on the dash and the odometer gave an error. The vehicle would barely move when I pushed down on the gas. Almost seemed like it was in low gear. I limped back home and heard a very loud clunk when shifting to reverse and park. I shut the car off and started back up. Again an extremely loud clunking (felt like the transmission fell off the bottom of the car) when shifting to reverse, drive, and park. Same warning lights on the dash. I shut the car off and waiting for a while before trying again. This time it ran as if nothing ever happened.

Took it to the dealership only to be told that no issues showed on the diagnostics test. Was told by the mechanic that it was likely the system reset itself. It happened again a day later, exact same issue. The car again reset itself and drove like normal. The car ran smoothly for a couple years after that without incident.

Recently, the same issue started happening again as described above. The vehicle lost power three time over the course of a couple days. There now seems to be shifting issues in high gear, but other than that the car is running fine.

I went in for an oil change today and was told the car is leaking transmission fluid. Will be taking it back to the mechanic in a week after I return from vacation.

It is UNBELIEVABLE that Ford has not issued a recall and has gotten away with this crap. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of complaints of this issue online. If you are experiencing this issue please do yourself and everyone else a favor and complain about it. That is the only way Ford will be forced accountability on the matter.”

Repair Costs: $NA, according to CarComplaints.

Customer Complaint:

“Engine stalled while driving, but accessory power stayed on. Had to coast to the side of the road and attempt multiple times to restart the vehicle. Only able to keep the engine running when foot on gas, when I came to a stop light the car would again stall. This has happened 3 times now. Why is there not a recall? Definite safety issue.”

According to JD Power, this score, “Measures the level of defects, malfunctions and design flaws experienced by vehicle owners. Covers the entire vehicle from engine to infotainment system. A higher rating means fewer problems.” 

2021: 81/100

2020: 81/100

2019: 80/100

2018: 82/100

2017: 83/100

2016: 82/100

2015: NA/100

2014: 83/100

2013: 81/100

2012: 80/100

If you're looking for a new Ford Edge, or new to you Ford Edge, look no further than Carvana. One of the best new and used car websites around, you're sure to find your next car with Carvana. Click here to start searching. 

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.

A: YES. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. No matter which car you are considering buying, always take it to your trusted mechanic to have it inspected before you buy it. Seriously, every single time.

A: They can be, though again, that depends on how you treat it, how the previous owner treated it, and if you’ve followed the Edge’s regularly scheduled maintenance. 

A: That depends on the production date and, more importantly, if you or the previous owner followed its regularly scheduled maintenance and treated it with care or like a used newspaper. 

A: According to Consumer Reports, new cars are all designed to exceed 8 years or about 200,000 miles. However, individual mileage may vary based on, as stated above, how you treat your car. 

A: As with all repairs, it depends on the part affected. If it’s deep within the engine, it could be quite expensive. If it’s a loose body panel, likely not.