In the fiercely competitive world of auto manufacturing, first impressions matter and Ford made a strong one in the 2025 J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS). According to the study—based on feedback from nearly 92,700 buyers of 2025 model year vehicles surveyed within the first 90 days of ownership. The brand that received more awards than others was Ford. Ford had four models that topped different categories. That earned it recognition as the most-awarded brand in this year’s IQS.
The four Ford models honored were the F 150 in the full-size light-duty pickup segment, the F Series Super Duty in the heavy-duty pickup class, the iconic Mustang in the midsize sporty car category, and the Escape in compact SUVs—all outperforming rivals to claim segment leadership. Moreover, about half of Ford’s eligible vehicles placed in the top three positions in their segments, underscoring the brand’s broader stride toward quality improvement.
While Ford’s overall PP100 score—193 problems per 100 vehicles—was slightly lower than the industry average of 192, that did little to overshadow its segment wins. Ford’s climb is particularly notable considering that the brand scored 178 PP100 in the prior year, reflecting a modest setback amid rapid technological change and added complexity in new models.
For comparison, General Motors earned the most total segment honors across its brands—five in total—followed by Ford with four and Honda with three. Among individual brands, Lexus led the overall rankings with the fewest problems per 100 vehicles, making it the highest performer in the IQS; Nissan and Hyundai followed among mass-market nameplates. Ford, meanwhile, remained slightly below average, with several of its competitors including Chevrolet, Dodge, and Hyundai scoring lower PP100 journals.
In a market where infotainment systems continue to generate nearly half of all reported issues, J.D. Power called out automakers for over-relying on touchscreen-operated features and urged them to retain physical controls for essential functions like climate settings and garage-door integration.
All told, Ford’s performance in the 2025 Initial Quality Study offers a compelling narrative: despite slight overall declines in PP100, the brand is driving momentum with multiple segment victories and clear progress in early owner experience.
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