Does Ford manufacture their own parts?

Yes and no: Ford manufactures many core parts in-house—especially engines, transmissions, and certain vehicle assemblies—yet the vast majority of components come from an expansive network of external suppliers. The exact mix varies by model, region, and strategic priorities, including Ford’s push into electrification.

What Ford builds in-house

The company maintains dedicated plants and subsidiaries to produce key components, focusing on areas that are high-volume, capital-intensive, or strategically important. Below are areas where Ford maintains in-house production or vertically integrated capabilities.

• Core powertrain components such as engines and transmissions are produced in Ford-owned or Ford-operated facilities around the world.


• Major vehicle assembly and body-in-white work, including stamping and frame components, occurs at Ford plants across North America, Europe, and Asia.


• Selected modules and components within the powertrain and chassis are manufactured in-house or by Ford subsidiaries for strategic reasons and tighter control over quality and timing.

In practice, Ford’s in-house manufacturing emphasizes critical, high-volume components, while many other parts are supplied by external partners to keep product variety and global reach viable.

Where Ford relies on suppliers

Ford uses a broad, global network of suppliers to provide the majority of non-core parts, enabling scale and flexibility across its model lineup and markets. The following areas are typically sourced from external vendors.

• Electronics, sensors, infotainment systems, and safety software are largely supplied by external vendors and integrated into Ford’s vehicles.


• Interior components such as seats, dashboards, trim, and fabrics are largely sourced from specialized suppliers.


• Mechanical components, braking systems, suspension parts, tires, and many small components are supplied by a wide range of manufacturers.

Even as Ford expands in electrification, a substantial portion of components remains sourced from a diverse supplier base to preserve flexibility and manage costs.

Electrification and a push toward more vertical integration

In response to the shift to electric vehicles, Ford has pursued greater control over critical EV components, notably battery cells, through a major joint venture. This marks a strategic shift toward more in-house capability in areas deemed essential to EV production, while continuing to rely on external suppliers for many other parts.

BlueOval Battery initiative and strategic aims

Ford is partnering with SK On to form BlueOval SK, a venture designed to build battery cells and modules in North America for Ford and Lincoln vehicles. The project targets North American cell production to reduce reliance on external cell supply, improve pricing stability, and support the company’s electrification roadmap. Battery cells and related materials are produced through the joint venture at dedicated plants, with ongoing collaborations to secure raw materials and supply chains beyond the cells themselves.

Beyond batteries, Ford’s broader electrification effort includes integrating power electronics, software, and electric drivetrains in ways that blend in-house development with external expertise. The result is a hybrid approach: more vertical integration where it strengthens EV viability, and continued reliance on suppliers where specialization and scale are efficient.

What this means for consumers and the industry

For car buyers, Ford’s mixed approach translates into a manufacturing model that emphasizes reliability and scale while pursuing cost efficiencies and faster EV ramp-ups. The in-house production of core powertrain components can help with quality control and supply stability, whereas supplier networks provide breadth for features, trims, and regional variants. As Ford expands its EV lineup, the role of battery cell production through BlueOval SK will be a key factor in pricing, supply, and the pace of new model introductions.

Summary

Ford combines in-house manufacturing of core and strategic components with a broad external supplier network for the rest of its parts. The company is increasingly pursuing vertical integration in critical EV areas, notably battery cells through the BlueOval SK venture, while maintaining a diverse supplier base for most other components. This blended approach reflects the current automotive landscape, balancing control, efficiency, and flexibility as Ford navigates a transition to electrified vehicles.

Who makes the engine for Ford?

Ford designs and manufactures most of its own engines, though it also partners with other companies for certain projects and sources some components from third-party suppliers. Ford has numerous plants globally that build its engines, such as those in Windsor, Canada, Cleveland, Ohio, and Mexico for North America, and in other locations worldwide.
 

• In-house manufacturing: Ford produces the majority of its engines in-house, a practice that is often more cost-effective and allows for greater control over design and quality. 
• Global production: Engines are built at a network of plants across the globe. For example, the Essex and Annex Engine plants in Windsor, Ontario, produce popular engines like the 5.0-litre, 7.3-litre, and 6.8-litre. 
• Global partnerships: Ford also collaborates with other manufacturers for specific engine types. For instance, Ford Otosan in Turkey designs and builds the Ecotorq engine line for Ford trucks. 
• Shared designs: In the past, Ford has shared engine designs with other companies. For example, the EcoBoost 4-cylinder family was based on a Mazda design, though Ford now builds them. Ford also used a Mazda engine in some of its early Ranger models. 
• Supplier reliance: While Ford builds most of the engine, it relies on outside companies for various components, such as BorgWarner for drive units in some electric vehicles. 

Who manufactures parts for Ford?

Ford parts are made by Ford Motor Company under the Motorcraft brand, which is Ford's official parts brand. While Motorcraft parts are designed by Ford, various other companies, including some of Ford's direct suppliers, also manufacture components that are used in Ford vehicles and are distributed through Ford's supply chain.
 
Motorcraft and Genuine Ford Parts

• Designed by Ford: Motorcraft parts are manufactured specifically for Ford vehicles and meet Ford's engineering standards. 
• Brand owned by Ford: Motorcraft is the official parts brand of Ford and is owned by the company. 
• Quality and warranty: These parts are engineered for reliability, and many come with a 24-month, unlimited mileage warranty that includes labor. 

Third-party suppliers

• Direct and indirect suppliers: Ford works with a network of other companies to supply individual components. 
• Examples of suppliers: Some examples of companies that supply parts to Ford include Valeo (starter assemblies) and Autoliv (airbags). 
• Global production: Ford also has production facilities and suppliers in other countries, including Mexico, Canada, and China, which produce parts for its vehicles. 

Where are Ford vehicle parts manufactured?

Ford parts are made in a variety of locations globally, with many components manufactured in the United States and Mexico, and others sourced from countries like China, Germany, Japan, and Turkey. While some parts are made at Ford's own facilities in the US and abroad, many are produced by a network of third-party suppliers around the world.
 
Domestic manufacturing

• United States: Ford has numerous U.S. plants that produce parts like engines, transmissions, and other components for both domestic and international assembly. 
  • Michigan: Dearborn has several manufacturing plants, including for engines and transmissions. 
  • Ohio: The Sharonville Transmission Plant makes transmissions for several models. 
  • Kentucky: The Louisville Assembly Plant produces certain models, while the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville produces the F-Series Super Duty line. 
• Mexico: Mexico is a key location for both assembling vehicles and producing parts. 
• Canada: Parts and some assembly are also done in Canada. 

International manufacturing

• China: China is a major manufacturing hub for Ford, with numerous plants and joint ventures for parts and vehicles. 
• Europe: Ford has significant manufacturing operations in Europe, including Germany and Turkey, for both vehicles and parts. 
• Asia: Ford has manufacturing operations in several Asian countries, such as Thailand, a joint venture with Mazda that builds certain models. 
• South America: Argentina and Brazil are also home to Ford's manufacturing facilities. 

Supplier network

• Ford works with a large global network of independent suppliers for a vast range of components. 
• These suppliers have operations worldwide, including in countries such as Japan, Germany, Sweden, Hungary, and Colombia. 

What Ford engine to stay away from?

Ford engines to avoid include the 6.0L and 6.4L Power Stroke diesels, which had numerous issues like EGR cooler failures and injector problems, and the 5.4L Triton V8 known for spark plug and timing chain problems. Other engines to be cautious of are the 3.8L V6 due to head gasket failures and certain EcoBoost engines, especially early 1.0L and 1.6L models, which have faced issues like premature timing belt wear and overheating. 
You can watch this video to learn about some of the worst Ford engines ever made: 59sCar WisdomsYouTube · May 2, 2025
Engines with high failure rates 

• 6.0L and 6.4L Power Stroke diesel engines: These engines (2003-2007 and 2008-2010, respectively) are notorious for expensive problems, including head gasket failures, injector issues, and turbocharger failures. 
• 5.4L Triton V8: This engine (1997-2010) is infamous for spark plugs breaking during removal and cam phaser/timing chain issues. 
• 3.8L SX V6: From 1982 to 2008, this engine had issues with weak head bolts causing head gasket failures, and early versions were prone to coolant leaks. 

This video discusses the 5.4L Triton V8 in detail: 53sSeats & WheelsYouTube · Aug 10, 2025
Problematic EcoBoost engines

• 1.0L EcoBoost (early versions): Early models used a rubber timing belt in hot engine oil, which could degrade and clog the oil pickup, leading to oil starvation and engine damage. 
• 1.6L EcoBoost: This engine has been associated with overheating and coolant leaks. 
• 3.5L EcoBoost: Problems can include carbon buildup, premature timing chain wear, and water pump failures. 
• 2.7L EcoBoost: Early models (around 2016-2017) experienced issues with defective valve guides, excessive oil consumption, and leaking plastic oil pans. 

You can watch this video for more information about EcoBoost engine issues: 1mExoticCar PlayPlaceYouTube · Nov 15, 2025