Ford's CEO Still Isn't Satisfied With Brand Quality
Ford CEO Jim Farley says the automaker has 'so much left to do' to improve quality despite topping JD Power's Initial Quality Study.
Key Takeaways
- Ford CEO Jim Farley is not satisfied with the company’s quality improvements, despite topping JD Power’s Initial Quality Study.
- Ford has issued 56 recalls so far this year for 12.1 million vehicles, leading the industry.
- The automaker has been working to improve quality by implementing more rigorous development testing and hiring more technical specialists.
- Ford was fined $65 million by the NHTSA in 2024 for failing to issue proper recalls.
- The company will continue to work on reducing recalls and warranty costs.
What Does Ford’s CEO Think About the Company’s Quality?
Ford CEO Jim Farley said in an interview with CNBC that while he is ‘very proud’ of the company’s initial quality results, he added that ‘obviously none of us are satisfied. We have so much left to do to be the number one quality brand in all attributes.‘
This statement comes despite Ford topping JD Power’s Initial Quality Study for mainstream brands.
How Many Recalls Has Ford Issued This Year?
Ford has issued 56 recalls so far this year for 12.1 million vehicles, leading the industry.
This is a significant number, and the company is on track to issue fewer recalls than last year, but those recalls affected a much larger number of cars.
What Has Ford Been Doing to Improve Quality?
Ford has been working to improve quality by implementing more rigorous development testing, hiring more technical specialists, and encouraging more collaboration.
These efforts have been ongoing since 2023, and the company is committed to continuing to work on reducing recalls and warranty costs.
What Were the Consequences of Ford’s Quality Issues?
The numerous recalls have cost Ford billions of dollars in warranty costs, with the automaker taking a $4.8 billion hit in 2023—its highest on record.
Additionally, Ford was fined $65 million by the NHTSA in 2024 for failing to issue proper recalls.
What Does the Future Hold for Ford’s Quality?
Ford understands that its quality issues will take time to fix and that it will take years of intentional improvements and changes.
Topping JD’s Initial Quality Study is a good first start, but the automaker will have to do more than that to change consumer sentiment.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of recalls issued in 2026 | 56 |
| Number of vehicles affected by recalls in 2026 | 12.1 million |
| Fine imposed by NHTSA in 2024 | $65 million |
| Warranty costs in 2023 | $4.8 billion |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What did Ford’s CEO say about the company’s quality?
Ford CEO Jim Farley said that while he is ‘very proud’ of the company’s initial quality results, he added that ‘obviously none of us are satisfied. We have so much left to do to be the number one quality brand in all attributes.‘
Q: How many recalls has Ford issued this year?
Ford has issued 56 recalls so far this year for 12.1 million vehicles.
Q: What has Ford been doing to improve quality?
Ford has been working to improve quality by implementing more rigorous development testing, hiring more technical specialists, and encouraging more collaboration.
