Ford Motor Company Captures Most Awards in 2007 Initial Quality Study

J.D. Power ^ | 6/6/2007 | J.D. Power

[eraser2005]

And what model year was the Escort, btw?

It was a dirty little secret, but the Escort for the last 6 or 7 years of its life (it hasn’t been made in the better part of a decade) was actually very reliable - even more reliable than a Camry.

It was a dated, uncomfortable rattle trap.

But it lasted. :)

[eraser2005]

My 1997 Taurus has never failed to start when I turn the key. All repairs I have needed (about $400 worth total) have been ones I could schedule weeks or months in advance.

[blackie]

V12’s are OK, I’m an old retired curmudgeon and V12’s are out of my price range.

My ‘01 F-150 SVT Lightning cost a little over $32K, it develops 425 HP and is electronically governed for 142 MPH, goes 0-60 in 5.2 seconds. That ain’t bad money/performance. >:-}

[blackie]

Hey ~ that’s why we have so many choices in vehicles these days. >:-}

[jude24]

Hey ~ that’s why we have so many choices in vehicles these days. >:-}

Agreed 100%.

[RichardW]

I’ve owned about a dozen new Fords and have had excellent results with them. I have two new ones in my garage right now and am perfectly happy. I don’t get all of this senseless Ford bashing. It certainly doesn’t comport with my experience and I’ve always been treated well at their dealerships.

[AnAmericanMother]

I have to agree with you.

Our first car was a '69 Torino, we paid $1700 for it used, put 200,000 miles on it and then sold it for $500 with the stereo (would have been $250 without).

We have two Fords now, an Expedition and an Explorer, one with 150k on it, one with 140k on it. Both are fine. The Explorer had to have some engine work at 90k but it was covered under warranty. Burned out window switch cost us $100 - my son put 500k miles on it running it up and down. First one had a tranny repair but it was covered. Otherwise nothing but regular services and a couple of silly recalls that were free.

Only one we've ever had that was a real dog was the Windstar (never buy 1st model year of anything!) It was constantly in and out of the shop, although it didn't cost us a dime and they gave us a free loaner.

Our dealer has always treated us right. As regular customers we get a 10% discount on parts and labor plus a free loaner.

[Doctor Don]

My family has had three Ford products (which had regular maintenance)which have had total engine failure before 100,000 miles. I will NEVER buy another Ford product!

[jonwill]

I had a POS 81 Honda Accord I bought new. only lasted till 88 than to junk yard due to fuel problems and rust. I’ll never buy another Honda, I put my trust in a new 89 Olds that lated for over 200k miles, I’ll buy a Ford any day over a POS Honda

[PennsylvaniaMom]

We have had good luck with Fords...currently, hubby drives a Focus sedan (great car; excellent handling and easy on gas). We have had an 99 Expedition (a lease) which turned in for a (purchased) used 02 Explorer. No problems with either...great warranty coverage. The Explorer took a pretty bad hit and was never ‘right’ after multiple repairs (electrical relays). We traded that for a full size Chevy Trailblazer (which I like, but honestly, the Explorer handled the best of any of the SUVs we have had). I really like the looks (and the mileage) of the new Ford Edge...kinda Murano looking. Over all please with Fords (and Chevy...don’t dis American made!)

[John Q American]

The “goons” aren’t owned by Ford.

[John Q American]

Check out the recall information on the foreign vehicles. Hmmm, not much difference between domestic and foreign now is there?

[John Q American]

CSM-Kudos to ya! Another thing, Quality improves with less in their quality departments. That is, most of the supervision have been cut back or let go. Now the teams (Joe and Suzy Employee) have taken the role of quality supervisors. You know what, it’s working. As I said in another post, for the longest time the employees have spoken about what shoul dbe done about this or that on parts that may be non-conforming while management sat back and said we have a better way. Well I don’t have to tell ya, most of the time their intentions failed. Kudos to the Amercan Automobile worker and stepping up!

[quadrant]

Ford - and GM & Chrysler for that matter - can win all the awards for quality they want, but I’ll never purchase a
car from them - and I advise everyone I meet not to do so either.

[SamAdams76]

Service (aftermarket) is huge in the car business and a big reason why I stick with Nissan. I have had similar bad experiences with Ford service departments where the service people are rude, arrogant and hostile. I had a Ford Escort and then a Tempo back in the 1980s and trying to get dealership service for warranty work was always a hassle. Then when you brought your car in, you had to wait in a smelly, noisy area on folding chairs and listen to all the other customers have it out with the service people at the desk. Nothing ever seemed to go according to plan at the Ford dealership. Parts were on backorder, you had to wait much longer than expected and they always found some way to make the bill larger than what you were quoted.

What a difference at the Nissan dealerships and I've been in three of them and always the same. Spotless waiting areas with cubicles so you can plug your laptop in and get work done. Or you can go watch television in another area and sit on couches or just grab an easy chair and read a book. Plate glass windows separate the waiting room from the shop so you can actually see your car being worked on. There is free bottled water, coffee and snacks and vending machines if you want a little more.

And their mechanics aren't bums off the street either. They are factory trained and all wear the same clean uniforms as they do their work. When your car is ready, they come out to get you or if you aren't around, they call your cellphone. They almost always tell you up front what you will be paying and if they find anything else wrong, they get your permission before doing the work and charging you more.

Above all, everybody at the Nissan service department are super-friendly and treat the customer with respect.

Yeah, it is more expensive having your repairs done at the dealerships but worth it unless you have a trusted mechanic that can do it for cheaper.

[eraser2005]

That has to be the most idiotic statement I’ve read on freerepublic today.

It must suck to despise American companies that much....

[quadrant]

Perhaps you haven’t had an executive of a US car company tell you that, “You can’t expect all of them to be right do you.”
Its not a matter of despising American companies. I purchase products made by American companies whenever possible, even if the price is a little higher, but the costs of automobiles precludes sentimentality.
I've come to the conclusion that were it not for the Japanese the Big Three would still be churning out the same old junk. They are so inbred they don’t give a rip about the customer.