Ford Ranks Highest in 2026 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study
Ford Ranks Highest Among Mass-Market Brands
Ford earned the highest ranking among mass-market brands in the 2026 J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study with a score of 152 problems per 100 vehicles.
Ford Leads Mass-Market Brands in 2026
Ford ranked highest among mass-market automotive brands in the 2026 J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study with a score of 152 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100).
Ford finished ahead of Nissan, which ranked second among mass-market brands with 156 PP100, and Buick, which ranked third with 162 PP100.
Because a lower PP100 score represents fewer owner-reported problems, Ford’s 152 PP100 score earned the brand the top position among mass-market manufacturers in the 2026 study.
Ford’s 2026 Initial Quality Results
The 2026 study measured the experiences of new-vehicle owners during the first 90 days of ownership.
Mass-Market Brand
Ford ranked highest among mass-market brands in the 2026 U.S. Initial Quality Study.
PP100
Ford recorded 152 problems per 100 vehicles. Lower scores indicate higher initial quality.
Segment Awards
Three Ford models ranked highest in their respective vehicle segments.
Owner Experience
IQS examines problems experienced during the first 90 days of new-vehicle ownership.
What Is the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study?
The J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study, commonly called IQS, measures problems experienced by purchasers and lessees of new vehicles during their first 90 days of ownership.
Results are expressed as problems per 100 vehicles, or PP100. A lower PP100 score means owners reported fewer problems.
The 2026 study was based on responses from 78,514 purchasers and lessees of new 2026 model-year vehicles and also incorporated real-world repair visit data.
What Does the Study Evaluate?
J.D. Power organizes reported problems into multiple areas of the vehicle experience, including:
- Infotainment
- Features, controls and displays
- Exterior
- Driving assistance
- Interior
- Seats
- Powertrain
- Driving experience
- Climate systems
Three Ford Models Rank Highest in Their Segments
Ford’s strong showing went beyond its overall mass-market brand ranking. Three Ford vehicles also ranked highest in their respective segments in the 2026 study.
Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 ranked highest in its respective vehicle segment in the 2026 U.S. Initial Quality Study.
Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang ranked highest in its respective vehicle segment in the 2026 U.S. Initial Quality Study.
Ford Super Duty
The Ford Super Duty ranked highest in its respective vehicle segment in the 2026 U.S. Initial Quality Study.
Why Initial Quality Matters
New vehicles include more technology, safety features and connected systems than ever before. Initial quality provides shoppers with another way to evaluate how vehicles perform during the early ownership experience.
Real Owner Experiences
The study incorporates feedback from people who purchased or leased new 2026 model-year vehicles.
More Than Mechanical Issues
Initial quality includes reported problems with technology, controls, infotainment, driver assistance systems, interiors and mechanical components.
Easy Brand Comparison
PP100 provides shoppers with a standardized way to compare reported initial-quality problems across automotive brands.
Does Initial Quality Mean Long-Term Reliability?
Not exactly. The J.D. Power Initial Quality Study focuses specifically on problems experienced during the first 90 days of new-vehicle ownership.
Long-term vehicle dependability is evaluated separately. Ford’s 2026 IQS result indicates that Ford owners reported fewer initial-quality problems than owners of other mass-market brands in this study; it should not be interpreted as a ranking of long-term reliability.
Shop New Ford Vehicles in Oak Lawn, IL
Ford’s performance in the 2026 J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study gives Chicago-area shoppers another reason to consider a new Ford.
Explore new Ford cars, trucks and SUVs at Napleton Ford of Oak Lawn, including popular models like the Ford F-150, Explorer, Bronco Sport, Maverick, Mustang and Super Duty.
Napleton Ford of Oak Lawn is located at 6100 W. 95th Street, Oak Lawn, IL 60453.
Ford & J.D. Power 2026 IQS FAQ
Did Ford rank #1 in the 2026 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study?
Ford ranked highest among mass-market brands in the 2026 J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study with a score of 152 problems per 100 vehicles. Porsche ranked highest overall.
What was Ford’s 2026 J.D. Power Initial Quality score?
Ford recorded a score of 152 problems per 100 vehicles, or PP100. In the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, a lower PP100 score indicates higher initial quality.
What does PP100 mean?
PP100 means problems per 100 vehicles. J.D. Power uses the measurement to compare the number of reported problems experienced by owners. A lower PP100 score represents fewer reported problems.
Which Ford models won 2026 J.D. Power Initial Quality awards?
The Ford F-150, Ford Mustang and Ford Super Duty each ranked highest in their respective vehicle segments in the 2026 U.S. Initial Quality Study.
What does the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study measure?
The study measures problems experienced by purchasers and lessees of new vehicles during the first 90 days of ownership. Areas evaluated include infotainment, features and controls, exterior, interior, driving assistance, seats, powertrain, driving experience and climate systems.
Does J.D. Power Initial Quality measure long-term reliability?
No. Initial Quality focuses on the first 90 days of ownership. Long-term vehicle dependability is evaluated separately, so Ford’s IQS ranking should not be interpreted as a long-term reliability ranking.
How many people participated in the 2026 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study?
The 2026 U.S. Initial Quality Study was based on responses from 78,514 purchasers and lessees of new 2026 model-year vehicles surveyed after 90 days of ownership.
Find Your New Ford
Explore new Ford cars, trucks and SUVs at Napleton Ford of Oak Lawn and find the Ford that’s right for you.
Source: J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS), released June 2026. Initial quality is measured by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100) during the first 90 days of ownership. A lower score reflects fewer reported problems. Ford ranked highest among mass-market brands with 152 PP100. Porsche ranked highest overall. J.D. Power is a trademark of J.D. Power. Awards and study results are based on J.D. Power’s published 2026 U.S. Initial Quality Study.
