Key facts
- Ford Motor received the top initial quality award among mass-market brands, according to J.D. Power.
- The automotive industry achieved its best year-over-year quality improvement since 1997.
- Ford's score was 152 problems per 100 vehicles, a significant increase from the previous year's 193.
- Infotainment system connectivity issues were a primary driver of problems reported by owners.
- Ford leads the industry in recalls with 51 so far this year, though it anticipates a future decrease.
The automotive industry has seen a notable improvement in overall vehicle quality over the past year, with Ford Motor earning the top initial quality award among mass-market brands, according to J.D. Power.
This marks a significant achievement for Ford, which has historically lagged in quality rankings and faced costly warranty issues. The company's improvement is attributed to a multi-year effort to streamline operations by breaking down internal silos and integrating engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing teams.
J.D. Power's survey, which measures owner-reported problems in the first 90 days of ownership, indicated the industry's best year-over-year quality improvement since 1997. The industry average score decreased to 175 problems per 100 vehicles from 192 in the previous year. Ford specifically achieved a score of 152 problems per 100 vehicles, a substantial gain from its prior score of 193.
Despite the improved initial quality, Ford continues to grapple with a high volume of recalls, largely stemming from issues in older vehicle models. The company has consistently led the industry in recall numbers since 2020. Ford anticipates a future reduction in recall figures, with Chief Operating Officer Kumar Galhotra noting clear improvements in newer vehicles compared to those designed between 2013 and 2020.
Industrywide, infotainment systems and connectivity issues with platforms like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were identified as significant problem areas. Conversely, improvements in practical features like cupholder accessibility and capacity also contributed to the overall quality gains.