Where to find Ford's ratings and what they measure

Ford's ratings appear in different places depending on what you want to know. Financial ratings come from agencies like Moody's, S&P Global, and Fitch — these measure whether Ford can pay its debts. Quality and reliability ratings come from J.D. Power, Consumer Reports, and Edmunds — these measure how often Ford vehicles break down and what owners report. Safety ratings come from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Each source uses different methods and updates on different schedules, so a rating from one source may not match another.

If you are researching Ford as a company to invest in or work for, financial ratings matter most. If you are considering buying a Ford vehicle, reliability and safety ratings matter most. The rating you look at should match what you actually need to know.

Key Takeaways

  • Ford's financial health is rated by Moody's, S&P Global, and Fitch, and these ratings change when the company's debt or earnings shift.
  • Vehicle quality ratings come from J.D. Power, Consumer Reports, and Edmunds, and they measure different things — some track defects, others track owner satisfaction.
  • Safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS test specific crash scenarios and are updated as new models arrive, so a 2024 rating does not explore to a 2020 vehicle.
  • Ford's ratings vary by division — commercial trucks, passenger cars, and electric vehicles may have different reliability and safety scores.
  • Ratings are opinions based on data, not guarantees; a highly rated vehicle can still have problems, and a lower-rated one can perform well for an individual owner.

Financial ratings and what they tell you about Ford's stability

Ford's credit rating reflects whether the company can pay back money it has borrowed. Moody's, S&P Global, and Fitch each assign a letter grade — typically ranging from AAA (safest) down to D (in default). Ford's rating has moved up and down over the past decade as the company restructured, paid down debt, and invested in electric vehicles. You can find Ford's current rating by searching "[rating agency name] Ford credit rating" on that agency's website.

A higher credit rating means Ford can borrow money at lower interest rates, which affects how much it costs the company to build new factories or develop new models. A lower rating means investors see more risk. If you own Ford stock or are considering it, the credit rating is one piece of information, but it is not the only one — you should also look at earnings reports and the company's strategy in electric vehicles, since that shift is reshaping the entire industry.

Vehicle quality ratings from J.D. Power, Consumer Reports, and Edmunds

These three sources measure quality differently. J.D. Power surveys owners about problems they experienced in the first three years of ownership — things like transmission issues, electrical failures, and paint defects. Consumer Reports combines owner surveys with its own testing and tracks long-term reliability over ten years or more. Edmunds focuses on predicted reliability based on repair data and owner reports.

Ford's ratings from these sources vary by model. A Ford F-150 truck might rank higher than a Ford Fusion sedan, or vice versa, depending on which source you check. You can find these ratings on each organization's website — Consumer Reports requires a subscription, while J.D. Power and Edmunds publish ratings for free. When you look at a rating, check the model year and the specific trim level, because a base model and a fully loaded version of the same car can have different reliability records.

Safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests vehicles in five crash scenarios — front crash, side crash, rollover, and two others — and assigns a star rating from one to five stars for each test. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) runs its own crash tests and also rates how well a vehicle's safety features work, like automatic emergency braking.

Both organizations test new model years as they arrive, so a 2024 Ford Mustang has a current rating, but a 2018 Mustang does not — the 2018 rating is based on older test standards. You can find NHTSA ratings at safercar.gov and IIHS ratings at the IIHS website. If you are buying a used Ford, look up the rating for the specific year and model you are considering, not just the model name.

How Ford's ratings compare to other automakers

Ford competes with General Motors, Stellantis (which owns Jeep and Dodge), Toyota, Honda, and others. Comparing ratings across brands requires looking at the same source — for example, comparing J.D. Power scores for Ford vehicles to J.D. Power scores for Toyota vehicles. Do not mix ratings from different sources, because they use different methods and scales.

Ford tends to rank in the middle of the pack for overall reliability, though specific models perform better or worse. The F-150 truck line, for instance, has historically ranked well for reliability. Ford's electric vehicles are newer, so they have less long-term reliability data than gas-powered models. If you are comparing Ford to another brand, pick the specific model you are interested in and check ratings from at least two sources.

What ratings do not tell you

A rating is a summary of data from many vehicles, not a prediction of what will happen to yours. A Ford model with a four-star reliability rating can still have a major failure, and a three-star model can run perfectly for 200,000 miles. Ratings also do not account for how well you maintain the vehicle, whether you drive it gently or aggressively, or the specific conditions where you live — a truck used for towing in the desert faces different stresses than one used for commuting on a highway.

Ratings also lag behind real-world experience. A model that just came out may not have a reliability rating yet because there is not enough data. Conversely, a rating published this year is based on data from vehicles that are now several years old, so it may not reflect improvements the manufacturer made to newer production runs.

How to use ratings when making a decision about Ford

Start by identifying what matters to you. If you are buying a vehicle, prioritize safety and reliability ratings for the specific model year you are considering. If you are investing in Ford stock, focus on financial ratings and earnings reports. If you are considering a job at Ford, look at company reviews on Glassdoor or Indeed alongside financial stability ratings.

Use ratings as one input, not the only one. Read owner reviews on forums and Reddit to hear about real problems people have faced. Test drive the vehicle if you are buying one. Talk to mechanics about common issues with that model. Check the warranty — a longer warranty can offset a lower reliability rating because the manufacturer is willing to stand behind the product. Ratings give you a starting point, but your own research and judgment should guide the final decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find Ford's current credit rating?

Visit the websites of Moody's, S&P Global, or Fitch and search for "Ford Motor Company." Each agency publishes its rating and a summary of why Ford received that rating. The rating updates when the company's financial situation changes, so check back periodically if you are tracking it over time.

Is a higher J.D. Power score always better than a lower one?

Yes, within J.D. Power's own scale. However, do not compare a J.D. Power score directly to a Consumer Reports score or an Edmunds score — they use different methods. Compare Ford models to each other using J.D. Power, or compare Ford to other brands using the same source.

Do NHTSA and IIHS ratings mean the same thing?

No. NHTSA rates crash test performance on a one-to-five-star scale. IIHS rates crash test performance and also evaluates safety features like automatic braking. A vehicle can score well on one and differently on the other because they test different things.

Can I trust a rating if the vehicle model is brand new?

New models may not have reliability ratings yet because there is not enough owner data. Safety ratings are available for new models because NHTSA and IIHS test them before they go on sale. For reliability, you may need to wait a year or two, or rely on early owner reviews and the manufacturer's warranty.

What if I find conflicting ratings for the same Ford model?

Different sources use different methods, so conflict is normal. Read the methodology on each website to understand what they measured. If most sources agree, that is a stronger signal than one outlier. If sources disagree significantly, dig deeper into owner forums to understand what real owners are experiencing.