Top 10 Most Reliable Vehicles

[m.hony]

On F150 being the #1 selling vehicle- do they count GMC and Chevrolet together or separately? Might not matter either way- they may sell more F150's than GMc's and Chevy's combined-
I have heard that for years, but you cannot tell locally. There are more Chevy's here.

[perryg114]

Most of the problem with spark plugs is they are left in there for 100k miles and they weld in there. I don't know why Ford has so many problems with plugs. I think that 90% of it is the cone shaped seat that tends to weld together. I have been removing spark plugs on motorcycles and Japanese cars for several decades and never had a problem but they were all the standard crush washer type plugs. These were all aluminum heads. Platinum plugs are typically left in for 100k miles but the bad side is they have years to corrode and weld in there. I did not have problems removing the plugs on my 95 ranger even after 190k miles. Why did I wait so long, well it has two plugs per cylinder so I was not real worried. I always put antiseize on new plug threads.

This is America. You are supposed to keep a car for 2 yrs and sell it and get a new one. 100k miles is just a silly notion. Who would put that many miles on a car?

Perry

[r carl]

Originally Posted by m.hony

I've always heard that the 5.4 plugs could be removed by repeatedly loosening a little, tightening a little to break the carbon from the threads. This procedure will prevent stripping/breaking the plug socket. Also, there is an insert availed at the parts house to repair the problem if it happens. It's amazing how many mechanics don't know the procedure. I know several F150 owners who were aware of the problem, so took the trucks to a Ford dealer for plugs because the Ford dealer mechanics knew how to remove the plugs without breaking the head.

A lot of aware owners went to the dealer to get new plugs put in before the warranty expired and they said no unless the motor was misfiring.

[r carl]

Originally Posted by m.hony

On F150 being the #1 selling vehicle- do they count GMC and Chevrolet together or separately? Might not matter either way- they may sell more F150's than GMc's and Chevy's combined-
I have heard that for years, but you cannot tell locally. There are more Chevy's here.

They are counted separately so ford can win.

[SteveH]

If you go to this page : Auto Sales - Markets Data Center - WSJ.com Then to the last chart of data on the page, you will see GM outsold Ford in total units and in light trucks in March of this year.

When you combine Chevy and GMC they outsold Ford, but the Ford F series is still the leading seller.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by SteveH

If you go to this page : Auto Sales - Markets Data Center - WSJ.com Then to the last chart of data on the page, you will see GM outsold Ford in total units and in light trucks in March of this year.

When you combine Chevy and GMC they outsold Ford, but the Ford F series is still the leading seller.

This issue has always come down to verbiage, marketing (public belief) and legal-eze.

For example, this month Ford can say the F150 is "best selling brand", but can't say they are the "best selling truck".

When they out sell Chev AND GMC they can say they are the "best selling truck".

Cease and desist orders are filed occasionally. Especially when they try and say "best selling truck for XXX years running".

But, effective market is about perception, so even if they have to cease and desist, the public perception is planted.

[ALANSD]

the dealer charge only 400 to change all the plugs.. It was putting back together what the previous guys had taken apart that cost me. And today I still have a miss but on a different cylinder than the one that started all this a week ago. Baaah!

[pappy19]

Here are a few thousand reasons why Ford has the top selling pickup truck, not to fan this fire, of course.

Chevrolet Silverado Recall Information - Autoblog

[SteveH]

Well, don't forget the 220,000 Ford Recalls: Ford Recall Information - Autoblog

[r carl]

Originally Posted by pappy19

Here are a few thousand reasons why Ford has the top selling pickup truck, not to fan this fire, of course.

Chevrolet Silverado Recall Information - Autoblog

An ignition switch is nothing compared to fords cylinder head problems.

[rmkrum]

I'm basically happy with my small fleet of Toyota vehicles. Two Tacoma pickups, a Camry and a Prius.

They work.


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[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by r carl

An ignition switch is nothing compared to fords cylinder head problems.

Hi, just how many cylinder heads killed people??????



"" noticed.

[AlbertF]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, I think you might have a point there; My wife's 2005 BMW X-3 still has the original battery in it. The battery is located under the floor in back.

Agreed. The trunk-mounted battery in my 2001 Volvo lasted 10 years as well. The car was built in November 2000, and I replaced the battery in November 2010.

While weak batteries often show themselves when the weather turns cold and the engine won't crank, heat seems to be the main killer of batteries. I understand that battery life is generally shorter in the south.

[r carl]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, just how many cylinder heads killed people??????



"" noticed.

Good point, but an ignition switch turning a car off is like running out of gas.
Cruise Control Fire Recall Expanded To Ford's Largest Ever

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by r carl

A lot of aware owners went to the dealer to get new plugs put in before the warranty expired and they said no unless the motor was misfiring.

Was speaking of owners paying a dealership service department $400 to change plugs to prevent breaking the heads.


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[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by r carl

Good point, but an ignition switch turning a car off is like running out of gas.
Cruise Control Fire Recall Expanded To Ford's Largest Ever

Hi, Not the same; Running out of gas will give you at least one more pump of the brakes with power assist, you will also lose your power steering and in some vehicles, steering will be almost impossible. But with no power from the ignition switch, you also lost your air bags. Now you will most likely crash and have little or no protection. No air bags is the difference.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by r carl

Good point, but an ignition switch turning a car off is like running out of gas.
Cruise Control Fire Recall Expanded To Ford's Largest Ever

Hi, the Ford cruise control situation was stupid, in my mind. The switch was weak, the switch leaked, and the switch shorted out. But I ask, for what logical reason, would Ford have power to this switch with everything off?????? Cruise control will only work while driving an going at least around 25 - 30 miles per hour. So again, why did this switch have power when everything was off???? and these caught fire sitting in peoples garages and driveways. I witnessed one burning in a camp ground once. I also saw a few of these towed to the dealer I was working at, burned badly.

[JustSomeGuy]

I didn't read every single comment here, so maybe someone already mentioned this. But I think that even the worst car today is as good as the best car was about 20 years ago. Quality in the automotive industry has come a long way. When I first started driving over 25 years ago (OMG, just realized I've been driving for over a quarter of a century, makes me feel so old), anyways, back then I started out driving well used domestic cars. Lots of Fords, some GM's and a Dodge. My parents were big supporters of that, but then I decided to be daring and bought a well used Datsun 210 and then a Datsun pickup. I liked them. Then a beat up Toyota Celica and fairly nice condition first gen Camry. And a Mazda pickup (the one made in Japan, not the Ranger based model). I liked them. For the most part, they were more fuel efficient and reliable than the domestics. I had a 1999 Honda Civic as a company car and it held up really well too. Then a 2000 Ford Focus... which was very problematic.

Back then, most of my own cars were used (for a while I got new company cars). Some of my own cars were well used and I kept for half a year. Some a year or two. My first brand new car was a 1994 Ford Escort. It was great but had no a/c. "Upgraded" to a 1999 Escort with AC and it was not as reliable. Then got a brand new 2006 Toyota Matrix, traded it on a brand new 2010 Toyota Corolla S. Both were excellent. At that time, I liked to have a new, reliable and fuel efficient car, and an older, less fuel efficient truck, van or SUV for when I needed a vehicle like that. I have to say that my last GM, a 2005 Chevy Astro van, which was only 4 or 5 years old and had just come off duty as an unmarked police van, was the most reliable (but most fuel thirsty) GM I ever owned.

Last year I bought a pre-depreciated, almost fully loaded two-year old 2012 Chrysler Town & Country minivan for close to half of what it would have cost brand new. I've driven it a lot, towed my Airstream and on a separate occasion a loaded 6x12 Uhaul trailer across the US and Canada and it's been great. Put almost 40,000 kms (25,000 miles) in the year I've had it, doubling the mileage it had when I got it, and I have to say, it's been absolutely trouble-free and a joy to drive! But... 10 or 15 years ago, I doubt I would have paid for a new, or almost new Chrysler product, or a GM product, maybe a Ford. I would have been more likely to buy a new Toyota, which I did. But like I said, even the worst car today is as good as the best car was 20 years ago. My 2012 Chrysler minivan has exceeded my expectations for reliability, fuel efficiency and more. I hope it keeps up for a few more years! I might just buy another new, or nearly new domestic again!

[r carl]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, the Ford cruise control situation was stupid, in my mind. The switch was weak, the switch leaked, and the switch shorted out. But I ask, for what logical reason, would Ford have power to this switch with everything off?????? Cruise control will only work while driving an going at least around 25 - 30 miles per hour. So again, why did this switch have power when everything was off???? and these caught fire sitting in peoples garages and driveways. I witnessed one burning in a camp ground once. I also saw a few of these towed to the dealer I was working at, burned badly.

That situation can happen to any manufacturer, the problem is ford didn't pay texas instruments 4 cents apiece to upgrade the printed circuit boards to avoid the fires is what I have read before.

[ALANSD]

My Expedition is repaired to the tune of $1500. Sad but I had to deal with it.
Hope the thing runs like my Excursion did now. It was good for 165000 before we sold it.