A year after being named the leading US automaker for recalls, Ford has done the unthinkable – it’s now outperforming its rivals in quality.
Ford’s remarkable turnaround comes despite the brand still grappling with the aftermath of a major recall crisis that affected millions of its vehicles. But according to J.D. Power’s 2026 US Initial Quality Study, Ford has achieved a major quality milestone, taking the top spot in the survey of nearly 80,000 buyers and lessees of new 2026 model-year vehicles.
Quality Scoreboard
The study ranked Ford’s 2026 models with just 99 problems per 100 vehicles, besting its closest competitor, Toyota, which scored 104 problems per 100 vehicles. This is a significant improvement for Ford, which had been struggling with quality issues in recent years.
The quality turnaround is even more impressive given the challenges Ford has faced in the past. Just a few years ago, the brand was leading the US auto industry in recalls, with millions of its vehicles affected. However, under the leadership of CEO Jim Farley, Ford has made significant investments in quality and reliability, and it appears these efforts are paying off.
What this means
For consumers, Ford’s quality improvement is good news. It means they can expect higher-quality vehicles from the brand, with fewer issues and greater reliability. This can help to build trust and loyalty with customers, which is essential for a brand’s long-term success.
The quality improvement also has implications for investors, who will be watching to see if Ford can sustain this performance. A strong showing in the quality rankings can help to boost a brand’s reputation and attract customers who are willing to pay a premium for high-quality vehicles.
For now, Ford’s quality milestone is a testament to the brand’s ability to learn from its mistakes and make significant improvements. It will be interesting to see if other manufacturers can follow in its footsteps and achieve similar success.
