Toyota loses mainstream quality crown as Ford tops JD Power study
TM•Toyota was unseated from JD Power's 2026 US Initial Quality top mainstream brand ranking as Ford claimed the crown for the first time in 16 years. The shift follows Ford's largest year-over-year quality improvement, with seven of its ten models finishing in the top three of their segments.
1. Dethroned in Quality Rankings
In the 2026 US Initial Quality Study, Toyota was overtaken by Ford, which achieved the top mainstream brand position for the first time since 2010. Ford recorded the largest year-over-year improvement among mass-market automakers, with seven out of ten models ranking in the top three of their segments, pushing Toyota into second place.
2. Implications for Toyota
The loss may affect Toyota’s brand perception and could pressure warranty and recall expenses, even as Toyota continues its strong sales performance. To regain quality leadership, Toyota may need to accelerate manufacturing and culture initiatives, including enhanced data analytics and plant process refinements to match Ford’s quality operating system.
