After issuing the most recalls of any automotive manufacturer throughout 2022 and into the first half of 2023, Ford has been adamant that it intends to fix its well-publicized quality problem in the coming years. The automaker has a multi-pronged strategy to get there, but we recently saw one big step that it’s taking to improve quality when it temporarily shut down 2023 Ford Super Duty production at the Kentucky Truck Plant to allow 300 quality inspectors, suppliers, and engineers to fix faulty parts that workers discovered while assembling the refreshed pickup using cameras stationed all over the plant. However, as CEO Jim Farley revealed during the company’s Q3 earnings call with investors, that process was by no means a cheap one to pull off.
“Our quality, a real test for our commitment, talent, all the things that John talked about came together in the launches of our most important products like Super Duty,” Farley said. “And I am so confident in our tackling these systemic issues because of what happened on our recent launches. The team doubled down on testing. They did the extra work on supplier quality and readiness in the factory and really tested the vehicle for failure. And we did something that Ford maybe hasn’t done in the past. We held the vehicle until it was right. And in the case of Super Duty, that was a $1-billion-plus decision. And that was proof to me this team understands that quality is our top priority. That message was sent throughout the company. Everyone got the memo.”
This is just one of many changes Ford is making to improve quality, which also include driving its new vehicles more during the real-world testing phase, increasing the number of pickups it subjects to towing tests, and adding more quality checks on assembly lines – some of which are performed by artificial intelligence.
In terms of how long this process may take, FoMoCo is targeting 2025 as the date when it expects several models to have “best in class quality,” though others may take longer – years in fact – to reach that point.
We’ll have more on Ford’s efforts to improve quality soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford F-Series news, Ford Super Duty news, and continuous Ford news coverage.
Comments
I do not believe the $1 billion is an honest number; in any case Quality has to be part of vehicle development, design, production, and test. Ford has gone on to long seemingly ignoring quality as part of the process. Further, Ford’s CEO Jim Farley seems to have had little manufacturing and its quality in his background. Surely John Deere and Caterpillar Corps factor quality in; why does Ford and its CEO Jim Farley now today after 115 or so years find it a strange concept? Ford has a great Board and Chairman in Bill Ford Jr, they will get it right
My 2023 F350 Lariat has been back four times and the navigation still not working properly
I stated work at Ford in 1972. The quality issues start with design and parts suppliers. The assembly plant adds little to the “quality” concerns. As a plant rat I would be chastised for performance and fired for any contribution to poor quality. With every change in leadership the goal was to reduce warranty costs. Most were displaced die to not meeting their own objectives regarding quality, and cost
Maybe the Process Coaches should seek to understand why we have a truck stopped at our station rather than screaming about red lights and turning the line back on. Quantity is #1 at KTP not quality. They do not care if our equipment is faulty, that we are out of parts or the parts are damaged/defective. If the line stops they act as if we intentionally trying to impede production. They start threatening us with write ups, turn the line back on and send the issue through.
First place they look to make a cut during a balance out is QC and repair. Your analysis of the situation is spot on. Stop button program at STAP in 1985 resulted in the same management behaviour… don’t fix the root cause, turn the call light off, turn the line on and basically intimidate the employee who dared to care enough to point out an issue. Good to see nothing has changed… good luck.
For what these trucks cost they should have a really good quality control but when you by one they , don’t work right ,rattle , and vibrate . I know people that bought new truck that has trouble from day one with them when you pay 80 or 90 k for a truck you expect it to be perfect or at least I do I think ford’s problem is they put too much emphasis on electric cars that are just a fad especially the cost of them as compared to non electric cars after Ford settled this contract I can guarantee they will raise prices at least 5k and blame it on the strike but it’s just corporate greed the contract they settled should not even raise the price more than 300.00 and that’s alot more than they should raise it ford’s quality control has gone down hill over last 10 years and I haven’t seen much improvement at all.
Ford has been leading the industry in recalls since 2020. 2023 is year number FOUR in leading the industry in recalls.
I purchased a new 2023 6.7L Lariat F350 this fall. Paint started lifting on the hood within a week of taking delivery.
Dealer took care of the problem immediately….but this sort of problem should never happen.
A great place to actually start fixing the problems would be to have their engineers get out of their chairs and actually take responsibility to do part verifications and improvements. I watched over the years as they sent suppliers out to run part trials, verify the trial and then sign off on it. Hold those accountable that are being PAID to make sure quality is Job 1!!
I bought a 2023 F 250 in June and I could not be more pleased! In my opinion, you guys don’t know your butt from a hole in the ground. Hell the one guy is trashing them and can’t even spell!0