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Ford Products Shine in Latest Vehicle Dependability Study

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J.D. Power and Associates announces latest consumer study.

The results of the 2012 Vehicle Dependability Study from J.D. Power and Associates is out and four Ford brand and two Lincoln brand vehicles finished in the top three of their respective segments. Of the six, three vehicles were ranked the highest in durability — the Ford Fusion, the Ford Explorer and the Lincoln MKZ. The study looks at 2009 model year vehicles and asks owners about problems they’ve experienced during the previous 12-months.

Fusion, Explorer & Ranger Ranked

The first generation Ford Fusion continues to receive praise from its owners. The 2009 model, pictured here, once again finished first in the latest Vehicle Dependability Study from J.D. Power and Associates.

Ford’s best-selling car, the Fusion, received the midsize car award for the second consecutive year. The Fusion was followed by the Mitsubishi Galant and the Toyota Camry.

The Ford Explorer tied with the Nissan Murano as the most dependable midsize crossover/sport utility vehicle. The Explorer featured was the previous generation’s body on frame model. In third place was the Toyota Highlander.

The Ford Ranger has since been discontinued, but owners have praised the vehicle for its value and dependability. J.D. Power says that the Ranger finished second in the midsize pickup segment behind the Nissan Frontier and ahead of the Honda Ridgeline.

Among large cars, the Ford Taurus finished third behind the Buick Lucerne and Toyota’s Avalon. This Taurus was the previous edition model. The current edition Taurus went on sale in the 2011 model year.

Lincoln, Ford Namplate Rankings

Two Lincoln models also performed well with the Lincoln MKZ and the Lexus ES 350 tying for the highest ranked entry premium car. The Acura TL finished in third. In the midsize premium/crossover sport utility vehicle segment, the Lincoln MKX finished first. No other vehicles were ranked.

Overall, Lincoln and Ford finished 7th and 8th respectively in the 2012 Namplate Ranking. That ranking gives an average problems per 100 vehicles and Lincoln came in at 116 per 100 vehicles and Ford at 124 per 100 vehicles. The industry average was PP 132, putting Ford and Lincoln among 12 brands that beat the average. Another 20 brands finished below average.

J.D. Power also said that the Ford Mustang performed quite well although there weren’t enough vehicles in its category to compete and be ranked.

Ford Statement

“The results of this study are extremely gratifying,” said Bennie Fowler, Ford Group Vice President, Global Quality and New Model Launches. “The ranking amongst the top 10 brands achieved by Ford and Lincoln speaks to our ongoing commitment to develop and deliver best-in-class products.”

More Information — J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Vehicle Dependability Study

Ford Gives Boost to EcoBoost Production

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Automaker plans to triple production in 2012.

The Ford Taurus gains a 2.0-liter EcoBoost for 2012.


The Ford Motor Company used the backdrop of the 2012 Washington Auto Show to announce that it will be boosting its EcoBoost engine product three-fold this year in bid to keep up with availability and demand. EcoBoost will now be available in 11 vehicles this year, up from 7 last year.

Advanced Technology

EcoBoost is technology that incorporates direct fuel injection, turbocharging and variable valve timing to deliver engines that are more powerful, but smaller. Ford’s proprietary technology has been in use since 2009 and has recently found success in its F-150 pickup trucks. Those trucks are powered by two V-6 or two V-8 gasoline engines, with its 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 making 365 horsepower while still delivering good fuel economy.

Ford had already announced that 2012 versions of the Ford Edge and Ford Explorer, crossover sport utility vehicles this writer drove last August. Ford reports that it sold 127,683 EcoBoost-equipped vehicles in the United States last year and will be adding the technology to its compact Focus, midsize Fusion and even in its large Taurus sedan this year.

Class-Leading Efficiency

“EcoBoost expansion and availability in high-volume nameplates such as the all-new Ford Escape and Fusion will take this affordable, fuel-saving technology to the heart of the market,” said Ford Group Vice President of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering Sue Cischke. “Ford is committed to delivering class-leading fuel economy for our customers, which benefits the environment and helps the U.S. move toward greater energy independence.”

Placing a four cylinder engine in a large car sounds like utter madness. However, Ford like some other manufacturers has put to death the time-honored saying that “there is no replacement for displacement.” The 2.0-liter EcoBoost four that will be optional in the Taurus will make 231 horsepower. That compares to the 263 horsepower the standard 3.5-liter V-6 makes. The Taurus SHO, however, will continue to be powered by a 365-horsepower EcoBoost V-6 engine.

Police Interceptor

Besides the Fusion, Focus and Taurus, Ford says that it will place its 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine in its Police Interceptor model. That engine will represent the first-ever turbocharger used in a police pursuit model.

Until 2011, Ford hadn’t offered a six cylinder engine since retiring its 4.9-liter inline-six a few years earlier. A normally aspirated 3.7-liter V-6 was introduced along with an EcoBoost 3.5-liter V-6 engine. Together, those engines accounted for 56 percent of Ford’s F-150 sales, demonstrating that customers will buy a fuel efficient truck, especially one that has enough horsepower and torque to pull a big load. Equipped with EcoBoost the F-150 can pull up to 11,300 pounds.