For drivers planning to keep a vehicle for a decade or longer, maintenance costs can make or break a purchase. In 2026, Ford continues to sell some of America's most popular trucks and SUVs, yet the Blue Oval has struggled in recent dependability rankings. In the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, Ford finished 28th with 249 problems per 100 vehicles, trailing the industry average by 63 PP100. However, according to CarEdge cost projections, several Ford models remain relatively affordable to maintain over five- and ten-year ownership periods. The following ranking, based on the latest available cost data, moves from the most expensive to the cheapest Ford vehicles to keep on the road.
How the Costs Stack Up
CarEdge's long-term ownership estimates include both routine service and the likelihood of major repairs. The table below summarizes the figures for ten Ford models.
| Model | Five-Year Cost | Ten-Year Cost | Major Issue Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| F-450 Super Duty | $4,265 | $15,479 | 44.27% |
| F-350 Super Duty | $4,012 | $14,973 | 44.27% |
| F-250 Super Duty | $3,990 | $14,929 | 44.27% |
| F-550 Super Duty | $3,946 | $14,841 | N/A |
| Transit | $4,265 | $11,632 | 35.32% |
| F-150 | $2,718 | $10,245 | 30.63% |
| Ranger | $2,618 | $10,045 | N/A |
| Expedition | $2,663 | $9,443 | 26.60% |
| Explorer | $2,420 | $9,017 | 26.60% |
| Edge | $2,353 | $8,883 | 26.60% |
Heavy-Duty Trucks: High Capability, Higher Bills
The Super Duty lineup dominates the upper end of this ranking. The F-450, one of the largest pickups in Ford's range, is projected to cost $4,265 over five years and $15,479 over ten years. Its 44.27% chance of a major issue over a decade reflects the strain placed on its heavy-duty diesel components.
The F-350, built for lighter-duty jobs than the F-450, records a slightly lower five-year estimate of $4,012 and a ten-year figure of $14,973. Despite the lower operating stress, it shares the same 44.27% major failure probability as its larger sibling.
The F-250, the smallest Super Duty truck, is slightly cheaper to maintain at $3,990 over five years and $14,929 over ten years. Its major issue risk is 22.77% worse than the truck segment average, which buyers should weigh carefully.
Interestingly, the largest Super Duty model, the F-550, is the cheapest of the heavy-duty group to keep on the road. CarEdge estimates a five-year cost of $3,946 and a ten-year cost of $14,841. The F-550's robust chassis is designed for an 18,500-pound towing capacity, 1,000 pounds more than the F-450.
Commercial Vans and Pickups
The Transit van is one of the most versatile vehicles Ford produces, but it is also among the pricier options in this group. With 3.5-liter gasoline and diesel engines and multiple body styles, the Transit carries a five-year maintenance estimate of $4,265 and a ten-year projection of $11,632. Its major issue risk stands at 35.32%.
The F-150, America's best-selling vehicle for more than 40 years, offers a more affordable ownership picture. CarEdge projects $2,718 in maintenance over five years and $10,245 over ten years, with a major issue risk of 30.63%. Engine options include a base 5.0-liter V8 and a pair of 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost powerplants, one of which is paired with a hybrid system that adds $1,900 to the base price.
The mid-size Ranger enjoys the lowest maintenance costs among Ford's commercial vehicles, with a five-year estimate of $2,618 and a ten-year bill of $10,045. Buyers can choose between two- or four-wheel drive and a 2.3-liter inline-four or 2.7-liter V6 EcoBoost engine.
SUVs and Crossovers: The Most Affordable Fords
When ten-year maintenance totals dip below $10,000, Ford's SUVs begin to shine. The Expedition luxury SUV costs about $2,663 over five years and $9,443 over ten years. Its 26.60% major issue risk is just over 5% away from the class average, and its 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine with stop/start technology returns a combined 20 MPG.
The Explorer, Ford's mid-range SUV, lowers the cost further with a $2,420 five-year figure and a $9,017 ten-year total. Like the Expedition, it has a 26.60% chance of a major repair. Four trims are available, from a 2.3-liter four-cylinder base engine to a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 on Platinum and ST models.
At the top of the affordability ranking is the Edge. This crossover SUV records the lowest projected maintenance bills in the group: $2,353 over five years and $8,883 over ten years. It shares the same 26.60% major failure chance as the Explorer and Expedition. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder base engine delivers a combined 24 MPG, while a 2.7-liter V6 is available for additional power.
What Buyers Should Remember in 2026
Even though Ford's overall dependability ranking has not been class-leading, maintenance projections vary widely across the lineup. Shoppers who need heavy-duty towing should expect higher long-term bills, while those who can live with a crossover or mid-size SUV may save thousands over a decade. The Edge stands out as the cheapest Ford to maintain in this dataset, followed closely by the Explorer and Expedition. For long-term owners, factoring in major issue risk and segment averages remains just as important as the sticker price.
This discussion is informed by market-focused reporting from GamesIndustry.biz, where coverage of long-term platform strategy and player retention often mirrors the ownership logic in vehicle buying: headline features matter, but the “lifetime cost” is shaped by what happens after launch. Framing the Ford lineup in that same long-horizon mindset helps readers weigh not just projected maintenance totals and major-issue risk, but also how consistently a model can deliver value over years of real-world use.