In Consumer Reports December edition, Ford’s F-150 reliability rating dropped to the point that the iconic pickup is “no longer recommended.”
Hard Working Trucks reached out to Ford for comment on the non-profit research group’s annual auto reliability report, which covers more than 300 vehicle models. The F-150 is one of 11 vehicles that ended up this year on Consumer Report’s ‘No longer recommended’ list owed to declining reliability, the magazine reports. F-150 was the only truck on the list.
‘’We remain absolutely committed to continuous improvement by listening to customer feedback and anticipating their wants and needs. We are rapidly implementing solutions that will help us reach best-in-class levels in quality, initial reliability and long-term durability,” Ford spokesman Deeptie Sethie said.
“With nearly 40 years of truck leadership, Ford is continuing its relentless pace of innovation to make America’s best-selling truck even better – including the addition of class-leading features and technologies such as lane keeping and active-park assist systems, 360 degree camera systems, as well as an all-new 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine with segment-exclusive 10-speed automatic transmission for improved fuel economy, performance and refinement.’’
Other Ford vehicles that took a hit include the Ford Focus, which the magazine ranks as the least reliable compact car, and the Ford Fiesta, which came in as the least reliable subcompact.
Consumer Reports annual reliability ratings are based on road-test scores; predicted reliability and owner-satisfaction data from its Annual Auto Survey; and independent safety testing.
“Consumer Reports surveys our magazine and website subscribers each year to ask about any serious problems they’ve had with their vehicles in the preceding 12 months,” the magazine reports on its website. “The latest large-scale survey collected detailed data on more half a million vehicles, giving us a solid source for chronicling past reliability and predicting future performance.”