Ford and Lincoln both saw significant increases in their ranks in the 2025 J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, indicating their remarkable advancements. Ford jumped up 10 spots to 13th place, while Lincoln went up 6 spots to 19th.
After three years of ownership, original owners of cars from the 2022 model year offer feedback on the dependability and long-term longevity of the vehicles, providing the information needed to create the 2025 J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. The study assesses issues in several domains, including performance, features, and overall reliability. This year's improvement shows how committed Ford and Lincoln are to improving vehicle quality and customer happiness.
“We're encouraged by the progress we're making to improve quality while staying focused on tougher testing and rigorous monitoring of new vehicles to make sure they are as good as they can be when they leave the factory," said Josh Halliburton, Ford's executive director of quality. "We believe these actions will result in better long-term ownership experiences for our customers, like we saw in this year’s Vehicle Dependability Study.”
Ford's rating rise reflects the company's ongoing efforts to improve automotive dependability, which has long been a key factor for purchasers considering long-term ownership. The company has prioritized stricter testing and improved production monitoring to ensure that new vehicles meet the highest dependability standards.
This year's study is a part of a broader trend for Ford, following its strong performance in the 2024 J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality study, when the Bronco Sport received the highest initial quality rating among small SUVs. These successive improvements suggest that Ford is focusing on building automobiles that are reliable as they age, in addition to functioning well when they are first put on the road.
Lincoln’s rise of six spots to 19th place further suggests that their vehicles are getting better and more dependable as well. This is an important step for a luxury brand, as consumers expect durability and performance from their investments.
The results for this year demonstrate that both companies have significantly increased customer satisfaction. As automakers compete to offer the best driving experience, these findings show that Ford and Lincoln are headed in the right direction in terms of both initial quality and long-term reliability.