The Ford Story: Ford Beats Every Auto Company in Quality*

It’s a mark of higher quality, and it’s official: Ford had fewer problems than any other auto maker. In a second-quarter study conducted by the RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Ford moved past Toyota, which it has been tied with in the past.*

The survey compares issues per 1,000 vehicles. For the second quarter of 2009, it showed that new Ford, Mercury and Lincoln cars and trucks had 1,185 issues per 1,000 vehicles. Toyota had 1,215 problems and Honda Motor Co. had 1,291.

The study also rates customer satisfaction, and reported that Ford in tied with Toyota in this segment.

“We’ve been tied with Toyota before, but it sure feels better to be on the top!” says Bennie Fowler, Ford’s global head of quality. “We can all be pleased with the progress we have made in quality, even as we face external and internal challenges in a tumultuous climate. Our progress has come as the result of our union partnerships in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, along with the work of dedicated teams in manufacturing, product development, purchasing, marketing, sales, service, legal, IT and others who follow disciplined, standardized processes.”

15 Comments

wayne ferguson
July 26, 2009 at 8:57 am

Ford has always been the leader in styling,but now adds the quality to go with it.when people compare ford products to the so called" higher quality autos"[ex.Lexus],they fail to take in account the money one has to pay for that supposed better made car.I would like for people to compare the styling of the new Fords and it should be obvious ,no other car car company comes close to the good looks. Reply

Michael Stefanini
July 27, 2009 at 11:25 am

I met Earl Lucas in person at the Lars Anderson Museum. Hope some day to design cars. I am 10 years old and a big fan of ford and Earl, I think the Taurus will be a great car. Reply

BOB LONGMATE
July 27, 2009 at 12:43 pm

Many Americans, falsely, believe that the Harvard MBA’s in the Chrysler & GM auto executive suites wouldn’t know a good car if they got run over by one: But ultimately, as with the Ford Motor Company, it’s the cars which are going to save these companies and the American ‘domestic’ auto industry.

In the upcoming days upon introduction of Ford’s new flagship, the 2010 Taurus, one comprehensive review of its styling details, its interior, exterior, from ‘stem to stern’, its svelte operating characteristics coupled with impeccable driving dynamics, will further ‘highlight’ what is precisely required; namely, an automobile with unprecedented safety & value and an unparalleled ‘second order’ of design and engineering sophistication, af-ford-ably priced for the masses.

> THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT AMERICA NEEDS - NOW - AND FROM THIS DAY FORWARD <

WE MUST PROMOTE AN 'INNOVATIVE' AMERICA - 'ENVISIONEERING' ITS FUTURE!

RH LONGMATE Reply

C Burens
February 6, 2010 at 9:28 pm

The American public has forgotten that the Japanese once bombed us, and many other foreign countries hate US too. If we don't support "USA Made" and all manufacturing goes abroad, do you think for a minute that the average Joe will be able to afford any car or Truck? Think again, demand (for vehicles) increases pricing, "scarcity" drives up prices and once again, only the very wealthy will be driving vehicles. How far do you plan to walk? Reply

steven voelkel
July 27, 2009 at 4:03 pm

the research numbers reflect what my customers tell me, 'Ford makes quality and value'
i am happy with the vheicle introductions of the last 10 years Reply

Tom Wujek
July 27, 2009 at 5:59 pm

I'm glad I gave Ford a chance when buying my '05 Focus back in September 2004. The dynamics, styling and reliability are all there. In fact, at 68,000 miles, that car is still running like the first day I bought it. There have been no unexpected issues with the vehicle and it's a fun car to drive. Now in February 2009, I bought my '09 Escape with the 4 wheel drive and 6 cylinder. Again, the dynamics, styling and reliability are all there and the 4 wheel performs great in the nasty winters of Upstate New York.

Bottom line, Ford knows how to build a good suv, truck or car, hands down. This is coming from a now former GM guy. Both vehicles took me by suprise with how good they really are with the innovation, quality, safety, styling, handling, and value for the dollar. I'm glad to see them outshine Toyota, Lexus and Honda as well. Why should we pay more for those brands if we can get equal or better quality with an American made Ford with options that we want?

If Ford can keep this up, you can believe that they will keep me as a customer. I'm also proud of them for not taking a bailout and turning it around on their own. Reply

john de graaff
July 29, 2009 at 3:37 pm

It is clear, that the American dream is not complete without American cars.
Therefor it is good that the Car industry of Detroit can be continued.
Ford became in the early twentieth century a legendary car constructor and it is a good expierience that now Ford is saving the American Car and so an essential part of the American Dream. Reply

bill lykins
July 30, 2009 at 8:27 am

When will the 2010 Ford Taruas be in the dealers showrooms? Reply

james roy
August 4, 2009 at 11:12 pm

everyone at ford motor company keep up the good work, thank you, ive owned 12 or so fords in 24 plus years and i still own 5 of them. i do bleed ford blue. thanks! Reply

Gary Dunn
August 15, 2009 at 6:22 pm

I am so sick and tired of the news media lying about American
cars(only Fords of course) not being as good as the foreign brands.
After owning many Fords over the years, and presently driving a
2004 Explorer and Mercury Monterey I can tell you they have both
been the epitomy of Quality and Reliability. The news media needs
to stop lying to the American people Reply

Andrew Wallace
November 5, 2009 at 2:15 pm

In April I traded my Lexus ES330 in for the new 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. I have owned Ford's off and on , the fact that I no longer have my Mustang Convertible still tugs at the hearstrings. I had looked a variety of replacements - Lexus, infinity, Mercedes, and Cadillac; however I was so taken by the design, fit and finish, quality, and economy of the Fusion Hybrid - I bought it. I love driving the car as do the other members of my husehold on Saturday and Sunday mornings it is a race to see who awakens first to get the keys and take the car for the day! By the way, our other cars are Mercedes. One last thing, I love the Sync system because it is the only "thing" in my life that listens to what I say and does what I ask without comment, challenge, or objection. At times friends, co-workers, and family wonder why I am found sitting out in my Fusion talking. (LOL) Seriously, Co-workers and friends are AMAZED when they get in the car - AMAZING JOB FORD - I knew an American car maker could pull this off - Is FORD hearalding the Renaissance of the American designed, engineered and built automobile, I certainly hope so. Reply

Edward Miller
February 2, 2010 at 7:50 pm

I leased a Taurus X and that was the best car I ever had. I"m sorry that they discountinued that model. I have tried to find a 2009 but they are nowhere to be had. I'm settleing for a Taurus car. Reply

Cho-ming
February 2, 2010 at 11:30 pm

Hi, since owning a 1992 Ford Escort, i have not owned a single Ford. I have owned Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Mazda MPV after that Escort. Recently, i am very impressed by the turn-around of Ford, especially the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, 2010 Taurus, 2011 Fiesta and 2012 Focus. Now i am seriously thinking of buying a Ford again. It's great that Ford finally now have One-Ford to minimize redundant development and maintenance costs. Going forward, please don't be complacent as BYD e6 electric car and Hyundai Sonata are getting better. EcoBoost is great but Hyundai is also heavily betting on plugin battery and carbon-fiber development. Toyota may have hiccups but please don't under-estimate its giant foot-prints. I dearly hope Union will yield more and willing to get away from "who-moved-my-cheese" mentality. Again, please don't be complacent. China BYD has 10,000 engineers working on battery development.

Best wishes, Ford :) Reply

Luis Contreras
February 6, 2010 at 4:04 am

ford needs to add some clean diesels stateside and vehicles that can obtain excellent mpg. one of the reasons i own a toyota and a honda is because i can achieve 45-50mpg. i could never with a ford in america. i will consider a ford when clean diesel is available in the states and high mpg vehicles are available. Reply

Adam Alvarez
February 8, 2010 at 1:07 am

I love Ford. we have 3 fords right now. 1 '89 F-250 Custom, 5.0L V-8, one '07 F-150 XLT, 5.4L V-8, and one '07 F-150 XL, 4.6L V-8 (barely on the border of XL and XLT). all of these trucks have amazing quality. given, the F-250 is over 20 years old and completely stock, the interior as most 20 year old trucks are, and the exterior is a bit faded, but that's because this truck is really worked, and it still looks better than most 10 year old chevys, and it runs like brand new, even after almost 200K miles. the other two trucks are just awesome. we use them all as personal and work trucks. they all tow on a regular basis, haul, and occasionally get the groceries.

we have also had many other fords, an f-250, ranger, f-150, e-350, and a few others. we have also had a fair share of other brands, like a chevy suburban, BMW, Toyota Camry, and Toyota Corolla. every one of these were junk, except the BMW. the suburban was constantly having maintainance, heck when we sold it, the people were driving it home and it broke down. both toyotas had major problems with the engines, the A/C didn't work on either of them, or the heater for that matter, and they both broke down once on us. given one was used, but the other was brand new. none of the used Fords we have or had have ever had any problems. the BMW was hit by a truck, so we had to sell the E-350 to buy the '08 F-150 to save gas (this was the summer when gas nearly hit $5 a gallon). both F-150s actually handle better than the BMW, or at least it feels that way, and the new one gets nearly as good fuel economy.

keep up the great work Ford, I plan on remaining a Ford guy for a LONG time. Reply

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