I've got two new Fords in my garage and I've had very little problems at all. And I've owned about 15 new Fords and except for a 1991 model very little warranty work. I used to have GMs and they were nothing but trouble.
The problem is quite simple. They have rode the SUV and pickup wagon too long and it has gone over the cliff with the market. They should clone the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord or Hyundia Sonata and make it BETTER! for less money. They haven't had any cars that are truly competitive for years. The Fusion isn't even made in the U.S. It is made in Mexico. The Mustang can't carry an entire company.
As far as what I have, I have the Escape (my second) and an F-150 and they are nearly perfect but Ford abandoned the sedan market and that was their downfall.
In fact, in each case I bought BEFORE the market ran away and made all of them (except the Hyundais) the top sellers of all time.
There's also an S-10 pickup out there too.
My criteria for vehicle purchase is a combination of low price, ready availability of repair parts, carries my stuff and, biggest one of all, it has paint on it.
My alltime favorite has to be the 2006 Sonata ~
I too, have a couple of Fords: a 1990 Eddie Bauer, full size 4X4 Bronco with a 5.7L V8 engine and a 2001 F150 SVT Lightning with a 425 hp, supercharged 5.4 L V8, both have been trouble free.
All I've replaced on Bronco was a window solenoid in the passenger door, a rear folding door latch, valve cover gaskets, a main belt idler pulley, I replaced the original shocks with Bilstein shocks and one battery, not bad for 16 years of wear and tear. The Lightning hasn't had any warranty work done and they both run great!
~~~ and tires. >:-}