What year did Ford put adaptive cruise control?
Ford first offered adaptive cruise control on select Lincoln models as early as 2003, with broader availability across Ford-branded vehicles appearing later in the decade. The technology has since become standard on many models and is integrated into Ford’s modern driver-assist packages.
Early adoption: Lincoln leads the way
In the early 2000s, Ford’s luxury division began experimenting with radar-based cruising aids. Adaptive Cruise Control, sometimes branded as Active Cruise Control, was marketed on Lincoln models before it appeared more broadly. This initial phase set the groundwork for Ford’s approach to ACC: maintaining a set following distance from vehicles ahead, with some iterations able to adjust speed automatically in traffic and even come to a stop if required.
The 2003 milestone
The first documented deployment within the Ford family appeared on Lincoln’s lineup around 2003, marking the brand’s entry into adaptive cruising and braking features. This early implementation demonstrated how ACC could integrate with other safety technologies such as brake pressure modulation and collision warning in the premium segment.
Broad rollout to Ford-branded models
Following Lincoln’s lead, Ford began offering ACC on more mainstream models in the late 2000s. By the end of the decade, multiple Ford-brand vehicles—ranging from mid-size sedans to sport-utilities—offered adaptive cruise control, typically bundled with other driver-assist features under evolving safety packages. The pace varied by model and trim, but ACC became increasingly common across the lineup.
Current state and modern implementations
Today, Ford’s adaptive cruise control is commonly included as part of broader driver-assist suites. The feature remains a core component of Ford’s Co-Pilot360 and related technology bundles, often paired with Stop-and-Go capability, lane centering, and traffic-aware cruise control. In recent years, Ford has expanded its advanced driver-assistance branding with features like Co-Pilot360 and, more recently, BlueCruise for highway hands-free driving on qualified roads, broadening the accessibility of automated cruising assistance.
From ACC to hands-free highway tech
Adaptive Cruise Control remains the foundation of Ford’s more advanced systems. While hands-free highway tech like BlueCruise represents a further step toward automation on certain routes, ACC continues to provide the core function of maintaining distance, adjusting speed, and stopping in traffic. Ford continues to upgrade its radar sensing and software across models to improve reliability and capability.
Summary
Ford’s foray into adaptive cruise control began in the early 2000s, with Lincoln taking the lead around 2003 and Ford-branded models following in the mid-to-late 2000s. Since then, ACC has become a staple of Ford’s safety and driver-assist packages, evolving alongside modern features such as Stop-and-Go traffic handling, lane centering, and highway-optimized hands-free driving on select models.
