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Ford To Delay Refreshed Explorer, Bronco Sport, Maverick

As part of its plan to improve initial quality, reduce warranty costs, and issue fewer recalls, Ford began implementing a “build and hold” strategy with the redesigned 2023 Ford Super Duty, a process that was also applied to the refreshed 2023 Ford Escape, 2023 Lincoln Corsair, and 2024 Ford F-150. That program has thus far proven to be successful – helping the automaker avoid numerous recalls – and as such, it will also wind up delaying the launch of a trio of newly refreshed models as well, it seems.

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Ford CEO Jim Farley revealed that the refreshed 2025 Ford Explorer – which entered production at the Chicago Assembly plant last month – is currently being held as the automaker conducts quality checks on that particular model. However, Farley also revealed that the automaker plans to do precisely the same thing with the upcoming, yet-to-be-revealed 2025 Ford Bronco Sport and Ford Maverick, too.

Farley added that FoMoCo plans to continue to hold refreshed and redesigned models for up to six weeks after production begins to give it time to conduct these quality checks to ensure that those products don’t wind up being subjected to pricey recalls after deliveries begin. The CEO also noted that this problem has ballooned into a rather pricey one for the automaker – costing it upwards of $4.8 billion annually – though in the short term, he admits that “our earnings may be a little lumpy” as a result.

Thus far, these efforts seem to be paying off, as the automaker avoided a dozen recalls with the delayed launch of the 2024 Ford F-150, and after issuing more recalls than any other make in 2023, it currently ranks third on that same list halfway through 2024. According to Farley, Ford has seen a 10 percent improvement in terms of the quality of its 2024 models, and its defect rate has fallen to 20 percent as well – right in line with its competition.

We’ll have more on Ford’s plan to improve quality soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for 24/7 Ford news coverage.

Brett's lost track of all the Fords he's owned over the years and how much he's spent modifying them, but his current money pits include an S550 Mustang and 13th gen F-150.

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Comments

  1. All well and good, but a 20% defect rate should be considered unacceptable, not accepted because it is inline with everyone else’s ridiculous 20% defect rate.

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  2. Quality starts with design. A perfectly put together bad design is still going to fail. Their latest engendering designs are terrible. Doomed to break. Its pretty sad how little they know.

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  3. Why is Farley still in charge? He should of been gone years ago. Mary Barra of GM is almost as bad

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  4. The present Ford management and GM management needs to be replaced; especially Jim Farley ! The worst of the Worst !

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    1. Exactly!

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  5. It just never ends with Ford……after 6 Explorers Im done….too frustrating to own these now.

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    1. I take care of a fleet,cop cars trucks etc. I thought the previous generation had some issues. Man was wrong!!!! I wish they were still available. The 2020 and up are horrible in ever sense of the word. Drivability, durability and serviceability, the WORST!!!! You would think a north and south engine arrangement would make it easier to service. Nope. To change the oil and filter without having dirty oil pour all over the engine, steering rack and skid plate you have to remove upwards of 20 fasteners of all different sizes, lengths etc. Who designed that? I have a 2010 escape hybrid. It is seamless in operation. The new Explorer hybrid is so herky jerky you can’t believe it. Sad. Fire Farley and go from there.

      Reply

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