Who makes engine for Ford?

In-House Engine Development

Ford's core engine programs, including its turbocharged EcoBoost family and larger V8s and diesel options, are developed and manufactured by Ford's own powertrain division.

• EcoBoost gasoline engines, ranging from small turbocharged units to larger displacement variants, are designed and produced by Ford for global markets.


• The performance-oriented V8 and other modular engines in Ford's lineup also come from Ford's own engineering teams and manufacturing network.


• Diesel engines used in Ford trucks and commercial vehicles are primarily developed and produced by Ford or under long-running Ford programs, with some variants produced under partnerships or contracted manufacturing at Ford facilities.

Specific model and regional configurations vary, and Ford has periodically adjusted engine sourcing or partnerships as part of its global product strategy.

Outsourced or Partnered Engine Programs

For certain markets and vehicles, Ford has used engines that are sourced from contract manufacturers or produced in collaboration with other automakers under joint ventures, often to meet local emissions standards or cost targets.

• These arrangements allow Ford to offer region-specific powertrains while concentrating core engineering resources on flagship platforms.


• Examples include engines developed through partnerships or supplier arrangements to serve regional model lines.

As Ford accelerates electrification, the share of in-house engines may shift, but the company continues to maintain control over core powertrain technologies while collaborating on specialized components where advantageous.

Implications for Customers and the Industry

For consumers, Ford's engine strategy means a mix of familiar, in-house engineered powertrains and region-specific engines that reflect regulatory and market differences. For the broader industry, it illustrates how traditional automakers balance internal development with external partnerships to optimize cost, efficiency, and compliance in a global market.

Summary

Ford mainly designs and builds its engines in-house, leveraging a global network of powertrain facilities and a broad EcoBoost family. While the core engines are largely Ford-made, the company has used contracted or co-developed engines for specific regions or models, a practice that supports local compliance and cost targets. With electrification accelerating, Ford's engine strategy continues to evolve while preserving its capability to engineer and manufacture its own powertrains.

Where are Ford engines made?

Ford makes engines at various plants around the world, including in the United States at the Cleveland and Dearborn plants, in Canada at the Windsor plant, and in Mexico. Other engines are produced internationally, such as in Spain and the UK for certain EcoBoost engines, and some components are made in South Africa. 
United States

• Cleveland Engine Plant (Brook Park, Ohio): Produces EcoBoost engines, among other V6 and V8 engines, notes Cleveland Historical and Wikipedia. 
• Dearborn Engine Plant (Dearborn, Michigan): Builds engines for some trucks, according to this YouTube video. 
• Lima Engine Plant (Lima, Ohio): Handles spindle repairs and other component work, according to this YouTube video. 
• Rawsonville Components Plant (Ypsilanti, Michigan): Produces components like F-150 Lightning batteries and hybrid batteries, notes a YouTube video. 

Canada

• Essex Engine Plant (Windsor, Ontario): Currently builds the 5.0L V8 engine, according to Wikipedia. 
• Windsor Engine Plant (Windsor, Ontario): Builds various engines, including some 5.0L V8s, notes Wikipedia. 

Mexico

• Bronco Sport and Maverick: Assembled in Hermosillo, Mexico, and may use North American parts, says Biener Ford. 
• Changan Ford Chongqing Engine Plant: Located in China, it builds engines for the local market, according to Wikipedia. 

International

• Ford Valencia Plant (Valencia, Spain): Has produced EcoBoost engines in the past, notes Wikipedia. 
• Ford Bridgend Engine Plant (Bridgend, Wales): Has produced engines in the past, though it is now closed, notes Wikipedia. 
• Struandale Engine Plant (Port Elizabeth, South Africa): Produces a variety of diesel engines, as well as components like wheel hubs and brake discs, notes Engineering News. 

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

Who builds Ford engines?

Ford builds its own engines at its manufacturing plants in places like Chihuahua, Mexico, and Struandale, South Africa. Additionally, many other companies build or remanufacture Ford engines, including Engine Distributors Inc. for industrial LSI engines, and various aftermarket performance companies like Roush, JASPER, and Prestige Motorsports for custom or crate engines. 
Ford Motor Company

• Ford's own plants: Ford builds many of its engines in-house at its global manufacturing facilities, such as the Chihuahua Engine plant in Mexico and the Struandale engine plant in South Africa. 

Third-party builders and remanufacturers

• Engine Distributors Inc.: Manufactures EPA and CARB-certified Ford Industrial LSI engines. 
• JASPER® Engines & Transmissions: A large remanufacturer of gas and diesel engines, including Ford engines. 
• Roush Performance: Builds Ford-based performance engines and offers custom engine building services. 
• Prestige Motorsports: Specializes in building and tuning custom high-performance Ford engines. 
• S&J Engines: Sells and builds remanufactured Ford crate engines. 
• NPR Racing Engines: Focuses on custom builds of high-performance Ford modular engines, such as the Coyote engine. 
• L&M Engines: Has been building and tuning Ford engines for high-performance Mustangs and Shelby GT500s for decades. 

Which company makes Ford engines?

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.