It was also designed by European engineers, not in Michigan. Not saying that's the reason the Focus is more reliable than a Taurus but they didn't follow the "typical" Ford design process at the time for that vehicle. For what it is worth I owned a 1992 Taurus and it left me stranded more times than I can count. Just some of the issues I had were a water pump that exploded and a seized A/C compressor.

<eyes roll in literal loop>

Pretty much everything Ford brings to the US that was designed in Europe is loathed by anyone who has to own it out of warranty.

Turns out that when you have a building full of engineers in Germany or England their domestic engineering culture results in work output not all that different from the sort of stuff people chastise BMW and Land Rover for.

That said, the Escort, and to a lesser extent the Focus, are generally considered very good vehicles.