The new report was based on an annual survey of thousands of new car buyers and was conducted by independent research firm RDA Group on behalf of Ford. The latest study looked at 2008 model cars and trucks from all full-line manufacturers with respondents in the survey asked to list the number of problems they had encountered during the first 90 days of ownership of their new cars, reports The Detroit News.
RDA has been conducting the annual survey for Ford for close to a decade, with preceding years showing a narrowing gap between American and foreign makes. The research group also conducts a number of studies for rival automakers and its findings have traditionally matched those of rival research firm J.D. Power and Associates.
Reader Comments
Sat Apr 5 2008 10:11 AM
Gus says
I've had my new 08 Mustang GT convertible for 4 months now, no problems. Perfectly put together car, so far...
Before that I had a 2000 Mustang GT convertible for almost 8 years, and it only ever needed a new alternator.
And my 2004 Ford Expedition hasn't had single problem yet.
So, so far it seems Ford is doing an ok job. These are good vehicles, for the price...
Sat Apr 5 2008 10:12 AM
Gus says
Of course they can't touch BMW, Audi, etc., but in this country, those offering are twice as much for similar size, functionality and power...
Sat Apr 5 2008 12:34 PM
ohmy says
the more basic you buy your ford, the better, anything that goes into "power this" and "power that" does fords have problems, otherwise my 07 focus ive had for a year, not one problem at all and i drive the shit outta it.
Sat Apr 5 2008 1:15 PM
miza says
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHATHATTHEREISFUNNYHAHAHAHA
Sat Apr 5 2008 3:12 PM
Stewie says
Not too surprising - it was only a matter of time before American makers addressed their quality issues. However, this is a bit troublesome:
"The new report was based on an annual survey of thousands of new car buyers and was conducted by independent research firm RDA Group on behalf of Ford."
Sat Apr 5 2008 8:29 PM
Wizards Lore says
hahahaha that is funny......an american survey with american cars (probably paid off to promote the local car market).....wow what a suprise.....how about an independant survey from a country that is not involved in the survey...i think you will find that Lexus is so much better
Now before you all jump down my throat for my anti american "tank" bias it is just an opinion.....i think that the american car market is on track in its improvements, inclusive of Ford, but it has a long way to go before it is of the standard that it can compare with Lexus, BMW etc
Sat Apr 5 2008 9:56 PM
bambam says
Yeah quality is pretty much equal to Toyota, I do agree with that. But overall opinion and response by consumers around the world would still be different. In Australia ford is known for its power and performance and of course no knew technology, still using traditional design and not really squeezing everything out. No valve timing or vvt or vtec or anything.
But I believe this is changing now. However Toyota would be the opposite, Toyota wants people to know that they can and have performance cars too. Thats why they are in F1. So overall the two companies are going the right direction and so is the survey.
When people talk about BMW or lexus they talk about reputation and not really standards.
Sun Apr 6 2008 11:10 AM
Gus says
That's why I said in my inital post, you can't compare them to BMW or Audi or Lexus. And I realize that in some countries Fords sell for the same as those vehicles.
But from an American perspective, they are well made cars, at least as much so as the American built Toyotas.
I also agree they don't have the latest tech, but I think too much tech leads to less reliability and increased cost.
So, you pick your priorities...
Sun Apr 6 2008 6:35 PM
Wizards Lore says
Gus...very true...if you want your tech that will work flawlessly then you pay through the nose...hence why the survey isnt comparing apples with apples...
Mon Apr 7 2008 8:16 AM
chris says
i'm going to wait for JDPower. Of course this survey is a good indication but at the same time, is worthless because it was done on behalf of ford. but last year ford was pinned between toyota and nissan, so............ not like this study is flat out lying.
My dad's been leasing F150's for years, and just switched over to the fusion. I had an 05 focus 5 door, and just got the 08 2 door. we've never gotten anything but fully loaded everything on our fords. we've NEVER had issues, and like ohmy said... I drive the crap out of my focuses. I always get manuals, and always pound the crap out of them. with me, if i'm accelerating, its on the floor at 7000, and if i'm coasting, it on cruise control in 5th. thats how i drive, and i've never had a problem.
no squeeks, no rattles, no funny noises or smells, and i've gone dune hopping with my hatchback. This unrelenting crap about ford not building solid cars is exactly that. crap.
Mon Apr 7 2008 11:26 AM
Gus says
What's funny is that when I bought my Fords, I get 3 surveys, each one with a dollar bill in it to get you to fill it out. I only fill out the JD Power one, it's just too big of a pain to fill them all out!
I feel so guilty pocketing the other two dollar bills. Ok, not really... :)
Mon Apr 7 2008 7:16 PM
RB says
It’s interesting to see what different cultures perceive as 'quality'!
You guys in the US are talking about Ford matching Toyota.....In Europe and Australia American made Toyotas are considered to be very low on quality. Take the Camry in Australia - nice sound, large car but the interior is nasty.
I recently was looking at the new US / Malaysian Honda Accord. Now I expect Honda to be a cut above Toyota - but the interior was full of that cheap as cheap plastic the US seem to love. In fact the Euro accord (they even call it that in Australia as both Accord models are sold) even being around 5 years old looks and feels so much better on the inside and out.
It’s just that expectations of different markets are different - no wrong or rights - just different!
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