FoMoCo has struggled with initial quality for some years now, prompting the automaker to prioritize improving the rigor of its industrial fitness. That goes for both the Ford and Lincoln brands, addressing their quality issues starting with the 2024 model year. Lincoln was a bit slow to get rolling on the quality side of things, ranking below average in the 2024 J.D. U.S. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS), and while it’s still got some ground to cover, the marque is on its way up if the 2025 U.S. IQS is anything to go by.
For its 2025 rendition of the IQS, J.D. Power examined responses from 92,694 purchasers and lessees of new 2025 model year vehicles, all of whom were surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study accounts for repair visit data based on real-world events reported to franchised new vehicle dealers, aiding automakers in determining potential issues so they can be addressed before they become bigger problems. The study presents questions pertaining to infotainment; features, controls and displays; exterior; driving assistance; interior; powertrain; seats; driving experience; climate; and unspecified (unique to repair).
Each automaker is granted a problems per 100 (PP100) score based on the study. The national average was 192 PP100, and Lincoln owners reported a PP100 score of 206. While that’s certainly below average, it’s not all doom and gloom for the luxury automaker. Compared to its results in 2024, it’s actually quite the improvement.
For context, last year, Lincoln earned a PP100 score of 225, indicating that customers had quite a few issues with their luxury vehicles from Ford’s luxury arm. However, this year’s PP100 score of 206 demonstrates a step in the right direction, and that Ford’s more stringent quality control efforts are paying off. Comparatively, Ford owners reported 193 PP100 on average in the 2025 IQS.
In terms of individual models, the Lincoln Nautilus rose from eighth in its segment to fourth, surpassing the Midsize Premium SUV average.
“We are making progress improving quality, but we know quality is a marathon, not a sprint – and we’ll keep working to deliver even better-quality vehicles for customers,” said Josh Halliburton, executive director of quality at Ford Motor Company.
Comments
Lincoln does better but volume Ford slips, despite Farley promising it’d be better. That’s what happens when you go racing a lot instead of working a lot.
Kind of sad that Jaguar was always near the bottom of JD Power Quality when Ford owned them, and Indian Tata Motors has brought them to 4th from the top. Maybe Ford needs to visit them and learn a few things about quality and how to reduce the number of recalls they’ve been having for several years now.