Photo Credit: Andrew Zaikovskyi / Shutterstock Inflation has hit many sectors of the economy hard over the last year, but few categories can compare to the automotive industry. Economic experts debate how much the current period of inflation has come from increased consumer demand and how much has been caused by constraints on supply. In the vehicle market, both forces are clearly at play. Low interest rates, federal stimulus payments, and better-than-expected economic conditions throughout the pandemic gave households more money to spend on big purchases like cars.

Ford Escape by Ryan Hildebrand - CC BY For 2016, the Ford Escape continues to offer owners a compact SUV that is fun to drive and extremely handy for day-to-day errands. A variety of powerful four-cylinder Ecoboost engines, advanced interior technology with Ford Sync, and a roomy passenger compartment round out the good stuff that allows Ford to sell hundreds of thousands of Escapes every year. Although this vehicle is well-loved by most consumers and reviewers alike, the Escape still has some common issues that should be considered before shopping for your next used vehicle.

Ford F-150 Raptor 6.2L by Order_242 - CC-BY-SA-2.0 Did you know that Ford’s internal designation of the 6.2L V-8 is “Boss”? Yes, that’s right: this big bruiser of a motor is called the Boss, and it lives up to its reputation by providing most owners years and years of service while producing some impressive horsepower and torque figures. The 6.2 engine utilizes a single overhead cam design with aluminum heads and a cast-iron block for ultimate durability.

Source: Pixabay The Focus sedan and hatchback never really caught on, at least not in the same way Ford hoped. However, it enjoyed relatively decent popularity due to its fun-to-drive character, precise handling, and comfortable ride quality. At one point, the Focus was once a Ford best-seller up until the time that it wasn’t. Unfortunately, the Ford Focus was discontinued with its last model, the 2018 year. If you’re asking: how much is a 2012 Ford Focus worth, you’ve come to the right place.

Source: Pixabay Ford is known for producing hard-working vehicles. Their trucks, F150, 250, 350, and so on, are some of the highest-rated and most respected work trucks currently on the market, especially for farmers and business owners who need to haul stock long distances. But when it comes to the Ford Focus, there was just a different focus in the design room. Instead of looking for a high-capacity high-performance working vehicle, the Focus is designed to be more of an efficient commuter vehicle.

Source: Pixabay If you’re interested in a new car, you’ve probably stumbled into a Ford vehicle. It’s a global company that has produced millions of cars and has been on the market since 1903. It’s one of the leaders in the car manufacturing world. If you’re interested, a question remains - are Fords good cars, or should you keep away from them? Read on to learn more about the quality of the Ford brand as a whole.

For the longest time, the Ford Taurus was a mainstay in the automobile industry. It was first introduced back in 1986 and only just ended its final year of production in 2019. With such a lengthy run, there are bound to be Ford Taurus years to avoid. Quick Answer: The Ford Taurus surprisingly has very few years to avoid. Those include 2002, 2003, and 2005. For a vehicle that’s been in the industry as long as the Taurus, there are only three years that stand out among the rest as being worrisome.

If you’re considering buying a used Ford Escape, it’s helpful to know what problems to look for before driving one off the lot. Here are some of the most common issues encountered by Ford Escape owners: how much they cost and how to identify them early. The Most Common Problems with Ford Escapes The most common problems with Ford Escapes are: Transmission problems: Average cost to fix: $3,400 Ignition misfires: Average cost to fix: $150 Engine stumbling: Average cost to fix: $250 Power steering loss: Average cost to fix: $80-$150 (Reprogramming) Ford Escape Model Years With The Most Problems The total number of owner-reported problems for each year model of Ford Escape can be found in this table: !

The Ford Focus has stood out over time as a vehicle that is fun to drive, practical, and extremely stylish. Its European roots come through in its fun-to-drive demeanor, and a selection of models allows buyers to choose from “mild to wild.” Despite all of these accolades, there remains one unavoidable issue that the latest generation of Ford Focus (2011-2018) suffers from: perpetual transmission problems. On paper, Ford’s PowerShift transmission is an incredibly advanced design for something available in a basic compact car.

2015 Ford F-150 by Tuner Tom - CC-BY-SA-3.0 Introduced in the 12th generation F-150, the 5.0 Engine has been a solid engine option for owners. Dubbed the “Coyote,” the 5.0 engine is praised for its power, reliability, and overall ease of ownership. Although this engine has comparatively few problems, there are still a few things that you should be on the lookout for if you’re looking to put an F-150 equipped with this engine in your driveway.