The J.D. Power 2022 Initial Quality Study (IQS) was recently released, and it has presented some mixed results for FoMoCo thus far. Both Ford and Lincoln owners experienced more problems overall compared to 2021, though both brands still rank above the overall industry average. In terms of individual models, the Ford Bronco Sport ranked third in the small SUV segment, while the Lincoln Nautilus topped the mid-size premium SUV ranks, the Ford Ranger beat out its competition to become the highest-ranked mid-size pickup, and the Ford Super Duty finished as the second-best large heavy-duty pickup. The Super Duty was also joined by its Ford F-Series stable mate in that regard, as the Ford F-150 ranked as one of the top light-duty pickups with the highest initial quality, too.
The Ford F-150 didn’t take the top spot in that regard, however, as it finished behind the segment-leading Chevy Silverado alongside that model’s twin, the GMC Sierra. It’s somewhat disappointing that the F-150 couldn’t beat out its chief rival in this particular study, but also notable that it made the cut, regardless.
The 2022 U.S. Initial Quality Study is based on the responses of 84,165 purchasers and lessees of new 2022 model-year vehicles obtained via a 223-question survey covering nine categories – infotainment, features, controls and displays, exterior, driving assistance, interior, powertrain, seats, driving experience, and climate. The study was conducted from February through May of 2022.
Among the various findings of this year’s IQS, new vehicles continued to suffer from the most problems, while mass market models experienced fewer issues than those from luxury brands. Driver assist functions and infotainment systems continue to present more problems than most other features, while the owners of plug-in hybrid and battery-electric vehicles experienced more issues than those that own ICE-powered models. Regardless, given the state of the current market, it seems as if things could have been much worse, according to David Amodeo, director of global automotive at J.D. Power.
“Given the many challenges automakers and their dealers had to face in the past year, it’s somewhat surprising that initial quality didn’t fall even more dramatically,” Amodeo said. “In general, initial quality has shown steady improvement throughout the history of this study, so the decline this year is disappointing – yet understandable. Automakers continue to launch vehicles that are more and more technologically complex in an era in which there have been many shortages of critical components to support them.”
We’ll have more on the Ford F-150 soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authorityfor the latest Ford F-Series news, Ford F-150 news, and ongoing Ford news coverage.
Comments
Interesting survey results, took delivery of my Powerboost Lariat at the end of last month and it was delivered in poor shape. Rear axle exhaust heat shield was falling off, rusted flanges around the rear differential and exhaust hangers, defective cowl trim, 2 different dents and scratches to the finish. The worst part is that the factory isn’t willing to correct some of the issues and is blaming the dealer. The dealer (Ron Dupratt Ford) is blaming me for not catching the defects at time of delivery.
I am with you Mike as nobody at Ford, whether it was dealer or Ford Motor customer service didn’t want to take any responsibility on things that it should never have left the factory with.
Ford Motor Customer service took great care of me with an older model F150 4×4 last year & this year. I never lost my cool & stuck to the facts & they took care of everything inc engine & tranny