Here Are The Ford Edge Years To Avoid
We've rounded up six Ford Edge years to avoid based on common issues. See which ones (and which Edge years are safe to buy used) so you can car shop confidently.
When it was introduced in 2007, the midsize crossover market was still relatively small, with not nearly the number of models offered today. But the Ford Edge has been popular, selling over 100,000 cars in the United States every year outside of 20091. Fortunately, most people who bought those million-plus cars got reliable midsize CUVs.
With the oldest models celebrating fourteen or fifteen years at this point, there are plenty of them still on the road today. Thus, if you’re interested in buying one used, we’ll help you determine the most reliable model years to purchase and which Ford Edge years to avoid.
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So you’re in the market for a used vehicle? We’ve gone ahead and prepped some essential questions to ask when buying a used car.
Quick Answer: Avoid 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2015 Ford Edge Years
Like most new models, the Ford Edge had to go through some growing pains and get the bugs worked out before it could be considered a high-quality vehicle. Transmission, engine, and brake problems were alarmingly common in 2007 and 2008. And that’s not even mentioning the myriad of other issues we will discuss later.
Overall, these vehicles might have been rushed into production before they were ready because the better-selling Escape and Explorer SUVs had similar if not lower amounts of complaints in this period.
Ford was able to right the ship for a few model years. Still, problems started cropping back up in 2011, with some engine issues, brake problems, and transmission hiccups. The most common problem reported was a faulty door sensor that permanently believed the passenger door was open.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEARS FOR THE FORD EDGE
We walk you through the many Ford Edge generations and pick out the most reliable Ford Edge year models and which ones you should avoid. Let’s take a look.
While not the most serious issue and not the most expensive to repair, it was still an inconvenience and cost a few hundred dollars to deal with, and it was a prevalent complaint. The common was also pretty common for the 2012 model year, in addition to that year’s brake pedal being problematic.
But the 2013 model saw the most complaints of this problem, plus an engine that stalled or broke down. Considering how good the other years were, the 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2015 models were Ford Edge model years to avoid.
Which Model Years of Ford Edge Are Safe to Buy Used?
The 2008-2009 improvements must have made a difference, as complaints plummetted by about 90% between the second and third year of production. The most common problems reported for the 2009 Edge dealt with the brakes. While this may seem alarming at first, as brakes are essential to a safe functioning car, there were only three complaints: two said the pedal was hard, and a third said the pedal was terrible.
This wasn’t a case of brakes failing to stop the car; this was more a matter of taste. So, while you should look out for this during a test drive, this shouldn’t steer you away from the 2009 Edge. The 2010 did see a few more severe complaints, such as the engine stalling or dying or a faulty brake booster making the pedal harder to press down on and apply. But problems with the engine tended to occur pretty late in the car’s life, and there were still far fewer complaints than in previous years.
After a facelift for the 2011 model year, the Edge had a lot more problems until the last year of this generation. It wasn’t perfect, but 2014 is not an Edge model year to avoid. There were a few complaints of a malfunctioning sensor still thinking the door is ajar, but the reports of this problem went from the triple digits in the last few years to single digits for 2014. The other most common issues were the radio not working consistently, the heater was not functioning correctly, and the rear windshield was breaking with no apparent cause.
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Like the first generation, the second generation of the Ford Edge rolled off the assembly line with a few hiccups and an embarrassing number of complaints, leaving some to wonder if the new design needed to go back to the drawing board. But Ford stuck with it and ended up making better models since then. There were a few oil leaks and stalled engines in 2016, but fewer than the year before.
It also still faced some problems with the rear windshield, and now the sunroof window cracked with no apparent cause, but overall, the 2016 had fewer problems than the 2015 model. And while this might come from how new they are, there have been very few complaints about the models since 2017. Even 2019’s stylish facelift hasn’t held it back.
Which Model Years of Ford Edge Should You Avoid?
The Edge stumbled coming out of the gate, especially with its transmission. There were reports of the power transfer unit failing, the transmission shuddering, jerking, slipping, and outright failing. On top of this, many reports of the brake booster failing and rotor going bad, loud roaring noises from the rear wheel, and the coil packs burning up.
While the 2011, 2012, and 2013 model years had their fair share of problems, the first two models are the most critical Ford Edge model years to avoid. You should avoid the 2007 Ford Edge, as this model was riddled with problems. And these problems were not fixed in year two, with several owners reporting engine and transmission failure and even more minor issues than the first year had.
With the 2011 facelift came that faulty door sensor. The next three years saw increasing reports of the door ajar light staying on indefinitely. If that were the only problem, it might be forgiven. But the 2011 model saw many cars lose engine power or die while driving, experienced brake failure, and have a poor transmission.
The brake problems were not as bad for 2012, nor were the engine or transmission problems, but they were still present to a lesser extent, in addition to the multitude of complaints about the door ajar sensor. Unfortunately, most of those complaints came back up for the 2013 model and in larger numbers than the 2011 model. The engine problems, brake issues, transmission mishaps, and door sensors make these the worst Edge model years to avoid.
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The second generation of the Ford Edge got off to a rough start. There were several reports of the new engine dying while owners were driving. On top of that, there were reports again of windows shattering of their own accord, water leaking into the cabin, and batteries, sometimes even killing the entire electrical system. If you want the new second-generation Ford Edge, you’ll likely be better off paying for one of the more recent model years and avoiding the 2015 Edge.
Common Ford Edge Problems
Overall, the Ford Edge offers solid reliability, making it an excellent family SUV. However, we’ve found several glaring issues we can’t afford to overlook.
- Faulty airbags: The 2016-2017 Edge models had malfunctioning airbags that prompted a recall. According to the complaints, the driver’s airbags were either not fully inflated or completely detached from the assembly. For obvious reasons, this is a significant safety issue that makes you prone to serious injury.
- Transmission issues: Several Edge models have struggled with a faulty transmission. Some reports claimed the transmission stopped working while driving. Some drivers heard clunking sounds from the transmission, followed by illuminated error lights.
- Clicking noise from wheel area: According to owners of 2007-2014 Edge models, they heard clicking noises from the wheel area of the vehicle. This issue was mainly reported around 75,000 miles, and technicians found nothing wrong with the car. A proposed fix was to replace the plastic padding between the wheels.
- Defective fuel tank: This was one of the most common issues with the 2009-2010 Edge models. According to the reports, the fuel tank may rust and leak around the tank seam weld. Ford released a recall notice, and qualified customers can have their fuel tanks replaced.
- Faulty brake booster: The brake booster defect is a prevalent issue in Ford Edge models from 2007 to 2015. Changes in driving conditions could lead to the development of a tear in the brake booster’s diaphragm. This defect may result in the vehicle producing an abnormal hissing sound when the brake pedal is pressed. As the tear expands, it can negatively impact the vehicle’s braking capabilities.
- Door ajar persistent light: The 2013 Ford Edge often experiences an issue where the door ajar light stays on, even when all doors are closed. This problem, caused by a faulty switch in the door latch mechanism, can lead to battery drain and accidental door unlocking. This issue is also found in the 2011 and 2012 models.
- Faulty A/C system: The 2011 Ford Edge had problems with its air conditioning system overheating, especially after around 120,000 miles. This issue, which results in the A/C blowing hot air or not working in hot weather, can potentially be fixed by replacing the cooling fan and timing belt. However, the repair costs can exceed $1,700, depending on parts and labor costs.
Ford Edge Problem Counts by Year
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Frequently Asked Questions: Ford Edge Years to Avoid
Q: What are the Ford Edge years to avoid when looking for a used vehicle?
A: The Edge years to specifically avoid due to reported reliability issues include 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2015. These model years are known for their transmission, engine, and brake problems, among other concerns.
Q: Why should the 2007 and 2008 Ford Edge models be avoided?
A: Introduced in 2007, the Ford Edge encountered initial growing pains, notably with transmission, engine, and braking systems. These early models were plagued by various issues, suggesting they may have been rushed to market.
Q: What improvements were seen in Ford Edge models after 2015?
A: From 2016 onwards, the Ford Edge showed improvements with fewer reported issues. The 2016 model had some reports of oil leaks and stalled engines but saw a reduction in complaints compared to the 2015 model.
Q: How does the reliability of the Ford Edge vary by generation?
A: While the first generation of the Ford Edge had a rocky start with numerous complaints, the subsequent generations showed improvement. The article suggests that newer models, especially those after 2017, have seen fewer issues.
Are Ford Edges typically reliable?
The Ford Edge has a mixed record for dependability, with most of the issues concentrated in the first generation. Skip the problem years, and you’ve significantly increased the odds of owning an Edge that’s trusty and reliable.
How much does a used Ford Edge typically cost?
Pricing is all over the place for a pre-owned Ford Edge. It depends on the car’s age, condition, equipment, and mileage. CoPilot Price Pulse reveals that a typical 2008 Edge sells for $7,432. Yet, search for a newer example, and the price rises significantly. A 2020 Edge has an average asking price of $29,023 (about four times higher than the 2008 model year).
Is the Ford Edge a good car to purchase?
Yes, this Ford can be a great vehicle with attention to the most reliable Edge model years. For many, it occupies a sweet spot in the automaker’s lineup. The Edge is larger and more spacious than the compact Escape but not as large as the three-row Explorer.
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