Amidst a bevy of new car introductions, the quality of Ford Motor Company vehicles has taken a hit, and several popular nameplates have experienced high-profile issues since their debuts. Throughout 2022, Ford CEO Jim Farley has repeatedly stated the fixing quality issues is a top priority, and the automaker did hire a new quality czar to address the outstanding issues, who previously said that recurring problems should start to subside in 2023. However, based on recent comments from Farley, it seems that the process will be an affair that lasts several years.
“Fixing quality is my No. 1 priority,” Farley told the Ford Retired Engineering Executives group at their most recent gathering. “It is the most important initiative in the whole company. And it’s going to take several years. We didn’t lose it in just one or two years. Until we fix quality, nothing else matters.”
As Ford Authority previously detailed, a number of Ford Motor Company vehicles fared poorly on the most recent reliability survey conducted by Consumer Reports. The Ford Bronco Sport and Ford Mustang Mach-E both lost out on being recommended by CR for 2023, after previously being added to the publication’s list in late 2021. Additionally, the Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator continue to be among the least reliable vehicles in the survey, and have been among that group since their introduction three years ago. As a whole, the Ford brand dropped four spots in the most recent survey. That said, a number of models performed well, including the Ford Escape hybrid, Ford Maverick, Lincoln Corsair, and Lincoln Nautilus, as all four models are now recommended by Consumer Reports.
In addition to ramping up production on its current and upcoming EVs, the company is still betting on its internal combustion lineup to grow and attract new and returning customers. Quality is a key components of its reorganization, which has essentially split its ICE and EV divisions into two distinct portions of the company.
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Comments
I thought you build quality into the vehicle you can’t fix quality if you don’t have it in the first place.
My family has always bought fords starting with the model t. I always bought fords but now I’m considering off shore manufactures , I have not been pleased with the lack of quality in the product Ford produces at one time quality was job 1 now that’s just history.
Thank you for the sage analysis random [competitor vehicle touting] Ram guy.
Farley has his head up his a$$….
Nothing More…Nothing Less
Been hearing this from the dealerships also. When the people that sell your products don’t have confidence in you it is time for a change.
Wasn’t retired exec Jim Hackett responsible for a wave of massive cost-cutting and content reduction? I suspect pride in engineering took a hit as well. Did that strategy help the stock price? Was the plan to gut current builds to fund EV development? Our 2018 C-Max Hybrid was bulletproof and fun to drive, but that was German DNA, not Dearborn’s. Our 2021 Escape Hybrid has been reliable, but did not even come with an engine cover. The fender liners are recycled “felt” that hold moisture and dirt that puddles in our garage overnight.
Farley is to blame. He himself stated he diverted chips and supplier capacity from ICE vehicles to the EV side of the business. He caused the “shortages.” Farley screwed Ford completely.
I guess maybe people ought to start taking those annoying robo calls and quit shredding the junk mail from those extended warranty companies.
Maybe Farley ought to have a chat with the UAW about their lack of attention to quality. Seems the union is never part of the discussion.
That is definitely the case in the Chicago Assembly Plant that builds the Explorer….Quality is the lowest its ever been. During all the George Floyd protests the employees were directly sabotaging the Police Interceptor Utility’s and no one called them out on it. Ford is too woke for its own good, Go Woke, Go Broke.
Oh please stop with the hateful disinformation.
All the above comments crack me up. Newsflash folks, Ford has never had high quality! The cars they made in the 70’s 80s and 90s were very poor as well. The original Taurus sold like hotcakes, but the engines and transmissions were very problematic and the body fit and finish was terrible. Nothing has changed at Ford. It has nothing to do with electrification. The company just has a culture of indifference toward quality that goes on for decades.
Years? Good luck staying in business. Toyota and Honda don’t seem to have these problems.
I hyink the push on ev has ruined ford eople are not into ev this is what happen to ford had fords all my life ford better wake uy
Somebody need to put a new battery in their bot.
You have to have screws loose in your head to buy a ford now. Crap of the highest order.
Engine problems, transmission problems, serious durability issues and when that engine lets go at 70K guess who’s left holding the bag!!!! You are. Read about it. I used to eat sleep and dream Fords. I worked for them. Now I wouldn’t even think of owning one.
Fords “all in” push to full electrification is a really bad business decision. Toyota’s measured approach, ICE and EV mix with a gradual movement to full EV as technoliogy warrants, much more intelligent. The Lightening is a prime example. Of what value is an 80k truck with 60 miles of range pulling a trailer? Status in the driveway, about it.
Well, don’t use lightning for a duty cycle it wasn’t intended for and you won’t have that problem.
Absurd statement. It’s a frigging truck. A tucks intended purpose is to haul and things.
I am not surprised, Ford with outdated engineers who’s building outdated cars for outdated people, maybe if they get the dealers to chip in with some of their profits on those High markups, maybe you can get some quality out of Ford but I doubt it!
BMW, seemed to climb relatively quick back up the reliability list after languishing close to the bottom for awhile. Maybe examine how they did their turn around? And yes, systems can take years to adjust. They’re complex, and there are many variables that can affect ultimate quality.
The only thing worse than Ford right now is GM and that other American company who don’t know who their Daddy is!
Really a shame. We’ve been a Ford family for decades and still have 5 in the family. Most are pre 2010 body on frame and all but 1 with over 150K miles. Sons 02 ranger just turned 230k. That said, we also have a 2013 Fusion that has had scores of recalls and has been in the shop a second time for all indicators lighting up on dash, it’s been over a month a Ford can’t fix it. Dealer even admitted all newer vehicles from Ford have been problematic. We’re thinking of replacing our 08 Navigator and unfortunately, Ford nor Lincoln are on the list. Shame, we really try to stay brand loyal but quality will trump that.
2 things are hurting Ford. #1 … the fed/gov requires higher mpg numbers every year, we still have our ’09 Escape w/the 2.5 Liter engine, once I learned the slow start an stop style of driving the Escape it routinely delvers about 33 mph in town, and about 31 mpg on the interstate. #2 … people won’t adjust their driving style, the 3 cyc / 4 cyc eco-boost engines just can’t have the “drive’em like you stole/em” driving style EVERYTIME you get behind the wheel. The biggest problem facing Ford & GM is people’s driving style that wears down an engine in 50,000 miles or less. Had people drove like they has some sense …we’d still have those 2.0 & 2.5 Liter engines that run forever. But no, they wnt to drive fast, lowering the mpg #’s. So here came eco-boot, smaller displacement, turbo charged, and not gonna last fer long engines. In the end it’s not all Ford & GM’s among others problems that engine failures are happening, the car’s owners not driving slower, and the owner’s lack of “upkeep” is the issue. Got into a shouting match one time with Ford owner crying because their engine “blew”. First question was about driving style … drove fast all the time, 2nd question, do you allow time to get where you’re going … or do you wait to leave knowing you’re going to be late ? The young couple really hated that one. I had to say to them … drive slower, maintain a slow start/stop driving style, and if it take you 30 minutes to get somewhere like “work” … leave at least 45 minutes early. That shut down the majority of their argument.
People ARE rough on their cars, yes. But, there are many new cars on the market that are doing just fine with typical driving styles.
Farley … I can tell you how to solve a majority of your engine problems. How ? Get rid of all the eco-boost 3 cyc and 4 cyc engines. Bring back the 2 Liter and 2.5 Liter engines that are truly trouble free when properly maintained. My wife’s ’09 Escape with the 2.5 Liter engine is running just as good as it did on day #1. Another fix that’s on the owner’s back … people who own 3 & 4 cyc powered vehicles … drive’im like you got some sense, you can’t drive them 100% of the time like you “stole the car” and making a getaway. The fed/gov mandate higher mpg numbers, so you put smaller, less durable engines to make the fed/gov happy … but bottom line people just won’t drive them as they should. Case in point live in my driveway, a ’13 Ford C-Max Hybrid, my first an only hybrid. It took me a month to learn the right way to drive the car … during the first year people cried they weren’t getting the mpg advertised … all awhile I am today still seeing 45 to 53 mpg around town, and 39 to 44 on the interstate. And to make it worse Ford had to pay out hundreds of dollars in “settlements” to those cry babies who just wouldn’t learn how to drive their cars. And the secret, make the art of the slow start an stop a habit while driving … it’s just that simple. I’ve got a Maverick Hybrid on order, maybe I’ll see it by the middle of ’23 … first job … hit hi 40’s mpg in town, maybe low 50’s mpg in town, it’s doable, it’s all a matter of changing your driving habits.
I have a 2013 C-Max hybrid too. My most reliable car ever. Never getting rid of it.
About thirty years ago Ford ads all said “Quality is Job 1.” My ’71 Monterey lasted fourteen years and 135K, but I don’t know about other years.
And Ford was “Winning the World Over, Have you driven a Ford Lately etc” with Quality is Job1 in the 1980’s. Plus, they had had style, variety and Lincoln was King not lower level-general admission as it is now in a current crowd of King Mustangs, King Broncos and King F150.
Discussion about fixing ‘quality issues’ seems a bit lame. Mr. Farley rarely (in this blog) seems to speak to any specifics. A few examples of what Ford has done in response to a known problem never is heard! What broke or isn’t working…. and Ford’s investigation of said issue…and was it successful. The lack of specifics makes me wonder if its all talk with no deliberate action on Ford’s part. Parts, people, design, manufacture, defective components, supply chain or whatever…. if Mr. Farley is willing to admit they have a problem, a few meaningful responses would go a long way to quell customer unhappiness. On this last point, I disagree with opinions that product loyalist that ‘will always come back to buy Ford’. If you stay with a brand with any intensity, I suspect that intensity is equally strong or stronger if/when you leave…. and don’t come back.
As a long term stock holder that still owners a ‘22 Ranger with ongoing vibration problems, leaking strut, leaking front pinion seal, and a recall on the windshield that might not have enough sealant on it, I’m investigating lemon law litigation.
I see a few people blaming the way they drive the vehicle is causing engine issues. WRONG ! If you engineer and build a quality vehicle you should not have to baby it. As I have said previously, I used to work for ford. Now I will not own one. I kills me to say it but a Toyota or Honda is just a better longer lasting vehicle. Never mind my crv with 275K on it, my Sequoia 290K !!! If you don’t believe me see how many older Explorers are still around? Sad what corporate greed has done to Ford.
I think Ford should steer away from ecoboost and focus on more traditional engines. I have a 2.5 litter, 2010 Milan, 305,000 miles on it, someone tell me any ecoboost fusion that has gotten anything close. Have had a 95 ranger and 03 ranger, one had a 3.0, the other a 4.0, both had over 200,000 on them. The ecoboost is built for power, not durability, in my opinion Ford has stopped building it’s most reliable vehicles to satisfy the governments fuel efficiency standards and our desire to have powerful engines because we don’t want to slow down. Try to find a new Ford without an ecoboost, gone are the days of the 3.0, 4.0, 3.5, 2.5 non turbo engines.
As much as i would like to complain i would like to suggest a few things to improve longevity on the turbo vehicles especially but is fine for the non-pressurized units. First an engine by-pass oil filter to superclean the engine oil. Second, an engine oil additive Nanolub by Nanotech Industrial Solutions. This product had doubled my engine life from a quarter mil to a half a mil before it was replaced. Lastly, endurance vehicle road testing like three years of total abuse to find out where all the weaknesses are. I don’t beleive they prove their designs enough by real world use.
If the engine and its ancillary systems are engineered correctly and materials quality is adequate, no gimmicks or snake oil are needed
Under the current management, it will take decades, not years, to fix their quality issues, it would be less costly to have 100% new management.
My 2013 Mustang V6, 85,000 miles, (bring back a V6), needed a water pump and a transmission chip; my 2019 MKZ, (35,000 miles), has been perfect, as has my 2010 Milan with over 120,000 miles it.
Apparently, when they expend the necessary effort, Ford can get it right.
Amazing how ford moves along to new technology. He’ll I couldn’t shut my door this morning on my 2016 ford f150 cause even though I’ve been back twice for this it’s still doing it. Ridiculous prices and you don’t even get a Full Size pickup in a xlt. Took me a year to find this one used with 20,000 on it. I use my truck as a truck should be used and it’s not for show but I do take good care of it. # Need 8 foot beds in the xlt please!
Yes hope HORIZON FORD .CAN FIX A 2015 ESCAPE. BOUGHT IN EARLY 2017. JORIZON FORD TUKWILLA WASHINGTON STATE. ONLY 500 MILES NOW 41000 MILES. MAIN SEAL LEAK WARRANTY A BUST COVERAGE UNTIL January 2024. 3700$ bill . Payed 2300$. With full warranty. ??. Hope they can do better then that. Ford makes a Excellent Vehicles over the years . Yes for now EV. WILL SELL HAVE TOO ALL MATERIALS RECYCLE ABLE AND BIODEGRADABLE. TOO ALL FUELS NOW OSMOSIS AND IN FUTURE. CHECK YOUR WARRANTIES SEE IF JUST A BUNCH BS ON PAPER ON ANY VEHICLE MAKE?
When oh when will they stop letting bean counters run the company? Save $1.50 on a part that costs them millions in recalls. Not to mention the bad will of people. Penny wise and dollar foolish. Always been a customer for life too, but even I’m starting to have second thoughts. They just Will Not Change. No matter who’s in charge. Maybe they should just go out of business then. Such a shame, but its all talk, no action. Sure we can blame supply chain issues, but we know it’s also that they squeeze suppliers so hard, that the suppliers cheapen parts. Our vehicles are ALMOST perfect, but the stupidest thing will ruin the owner experience. Squeaks and rattles today are not acceptable and make you feel you are driving a piece of crap, even if vehicle is otherwise great. Then dealer bull$hits you by either saying its normal, or they don’t hear anything. Getting fed up.
I haven’t had any issues with my 2021 Ford Ranger, but I also notice that model doesn’t appear anywhere in this article. Don’t know if that is good or bad but I think the new Ranger is a great truck.
Good for you, I’m sure it will be fine. I’ve had 4 F150’s and all have been great including my 2020 pandemic build (one 5.4 two 5.0 and one 2.7). This is a very bitter bunch on here.
My Ford Expedition Max has had a fire recall for over a year. They didn’t know what was causing it or how to fix it. We were told to keep it parked outdoors away from everything because they can catch fire at any time running or not. About 4 months ago the National Recall Service called and told me they they had a fix for it and to call my dealer asap to get it fixed. Took my dealer 3 weeks to pick it up and was returned at the end of the same day not fixed. Was told it would have to come back at a later time. No paperwork or explanation of what they did to it for an entire day. Called the National recall again and was told the parts were on back order and they couldn’t tell me when it would be fixed. I think they just don’t know what the he’ll they are doing. They sent a $500 prepaid Mastercard for all the inconvenience since this started. I wish they would just give me my money back and take their piece of junk. It’s not safe to really drive because you don’t know when it’s going to catch fire so it just sits here. Is a 2021 and doesn’t even have 500 miles on it yet. Never dealing with Ford again.
Ford lost $5.4 billion on the Rivian investment. This money could have been used to improve quality, but Jim Farley had his head in the clouds. The Ford family will not put up with this for too long. They don’t have any problem replacing CEOs with regularity.
They didn’t lose 5.4 billion. They lost on paper the difference from what they bought it for and what the market value was at its peak and what it was in the first quarter. They still hold 10% of Rivan Stock.
Heck, they cant even build one !!! we ordered a Maverick over a year ago, ready after buying fords since 1974, to give up on them they dont even bother to keep you informed on what is going on !!
WOW!!! To say it will take several years CLEARLY states, no matter how new the vehicle is now and in the coming years, they will have reliability issues and it is up to the customers to either be a fool and purchase anyway then complain about it or be SMART and purchase from a competitor that has value and reliability.
Anyone with common sense would simply avoid purchasing a Ford especially for the most troubling models. They should take many losses and offer customers many incentives until they resolve the issues because this is totally ridiculous and unacceptable. It is not like these vehicles are cheap.
I will be putting out many notifications to help bring awareness to people about Ford so that people can spend their money elsewhere. They knew about these issues but choose to still produce faulty products while charging premium prices as if the products are of quality and reliable. If I can help thousands avoid Fords, I will do my best to.
I really wanted a Mach E GT but I am terrified at owning another Ford especially after hearing this.
I actually appreciate the transparency in the statement. It will affect current/future buyers, their choice to buy a Ford product and deservedly so. However, what is being done for current owners? I happen to have a fantastic local dealer that is willing to pursue my interests but just keep getting denied by the factory. So while acknowledgement is the first step, if Ford resists taking ownership of the poor quality products that they’ve brought to market, it’s meaningless. The build quality of my ’22 Lariat Powerboost is indeed terrible. Even worse is the after sales support from corporate. And to my fellow union labor in Dearborn, you should be embarrassed putting your name on my truck. Theoretically compelling as Ford’s products are, the daily anxiety, disgust, frustration, and mistreatment as an owner is simply not worth it.