Quality - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

russellw · 12-17-2002, 02:44

Standard Disclaimer + additional clause: subsbligh35 - don't bother.

There have been a few posts of late that have raised various issues with the quality of Ford vehicles in recent times.

It is interesting to note that whilst Japan, Europe and the US have professionally conducted AND publically announced vehicle quality surveys I have been unable to find anything in this country of a similar nature.

Obviously this data is collected by the manufacturers - I'm sure we've all filled out a survey form or two - but I am talking about independent research that is readily available to the consumer as part of the purchasing decision.

It seems that we have to rely on a combination of (1) our own experience (2) anecdotal evidence from friends and associates or (3) the good luck fairy; when making the decision to buy.

Certainly forums such as this help the enthusiast because they tend to foster discussion about model specific issues but they are probably of little help to the average buyer who is unlikely to even know of their existence.

This is where the JD Powers of this world come into their own by releasing public information based on the results of their own owner surveys and I would dearly love to see similar here.

Reading these things is a bit of an eye opener and well worth the exercise. For example the average number of new car faults in European and Japanese built cars that were sold in the US during 2001 was 1.8. This is based on thousands of new car owner surveys and looks at a selection of nearly 400 potential issues.
The best of the US based manufacturers was nearly 3 times as bad (at 5.2) which is still a massive improvement on the 7-10 they used to score during the 80's.

It would be interesting to see what sort of results our manufacturers would achieve when measured against the same criteria.

By the way: to explain the criteria (briefly) for JD Power. They look at ownership between 3-12 months. Vehicles must have been purchased new and dealer serviced and the3 vehicle must have travelled at least 3,000 miles to be included. There is a long list of possible faults that range from an ill fitting cup holder all the way through to drivetrain issues.

Cheers
Russ

subsbligh35 · 12-17-2002, 02:55

What does the acronym JD stand for?

strife · 12-17-2002, 03:01

its not an acronym

J. D. Power is a name of a marketing information services company that runs customer satisfaction surveys etc

JR · 12-17-2002, 03:13

I have just been wondering in the last few days when I'd be getting the standard new car buyers survey from the company (Ford) - sort of surprised that 1 month into my ownership it has yet to turn up on my door step!

Come to think of it, I don't even think the dealer said anything about it, which in my own experience is unusual, as they normally ask you to say nice things about them!

russellw · 12-17-2002, 03:15

... thus named because the founder was J. David Power.

JG33 · 12-17-2002, 03:38

I thought you were talking about Jack Daniels. :s5

rsgerry · 12-17-2002, 03:47

i just read that the focus won the reliability award in germany last year. still waiting for ford to advertise that one......

JR · 12-17-2002, 03:50

Quote:

Originally posted by rsgerry
i just read that the focus won the reliability award in germany last year. still waiting for ford to advertise that one......

Keep waiting, someone has to teach the Ford Marketing Department how to read yet!

TopGhia · 12-17-2002, 10:03

http://www.choice.com.au/shop/displa...p?sku=OA102504

Bluedriver · 12-17-2002, 15:49

JR I bought my XR on the 13 August and i have the "Vehicle Service Experience Survey" as Ford calls it on my desk. AC Nielson could be the delay as i see they handle the survey for Ford. The Ford letter head is dated November 26 signed by GP.
3mths + to arrive mmm? I wonder if GP knows this could be the average time a new customer receives this ?