Ford vs. GM Reliability

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The latest industry surveys show that Ford's reliability has improved significantly over the last few years. On some levels, it has actually surpassed Toyota's.

With that said, how is GM's reliability compared to Ford? Based on what I've read over the years, especially on this forum, it seems like Ford's reliability is significantly better than GM's.

What has your experience been?
 
It really depends....my current GMs seem to be fine...just little issues...


I am hearing issues about GM's trucks though.....
 
GM's computer systems are much easier and you can use their ECMs over and over again.Ford is another story,thier computer system is a pain in the butt to work on and you can use their ECMs once.Ford uses the cheapest wiring harnesses made in Mexico and you never probe their wiring harnesses in the outside coating with a test light.GM has the more reliable engines which hold up better.That is one reason why you see Chevy drivetrains in the older Ford and Mercurys including the street rods.Plus Ford's electronic transmissions are horrible to diagnose when there is a problem with them.I know a transmission shop that hates working on them "banging" their heads on the wall.
 
Family has Ford and the neighbour across from us and they are impressed with the new stuff compared to past products. Although IMO past products weren't bad. My partners '96 escort is still going.

I have never liked GM and feel that they still have a long way to go in quality, but they might be too late. I have driven later models and have friends/co-workers that have later models and still have to visit dealerships for this/that.
 
I think GM is still hit or miss depending on the model. I currently have an 08 Saturn Aura that has been perfect, however it only has 18k on it.

I have in the past owned a Cobalt, a late model Cavalier with the Ecotec, and had a 2000 and 2003 4 cyl S-10s for work, and all were very good, solid cars.
 
I agree that some GM models are better than others, and first year models should be avoided, but that's true with any make. Personally, I prefer GM to Ford. But Ford makes some very good models, like their full size pickup trucks. Wife has a Malibu, I have an Impala and Colorado truck and they all have been reliable so far. The Colorado has a broken plastic lumbar support knob on the drivers seat (don't know how that happened). Also, the brakes are pulsating. I hate the shoes and pads GM uses. They are way too hard and cut into the drums/rotors. Every time I do a brake job on a GM, I use the more rotor friendly pads and never have another problem with the stock rotors after I have them turned. So the pulsating problem is not with the rotors, but the pads. I like the Focus and Fusion from Ford, but they do not have a high enough domestic parts content for me to consider one as that is very important to me.
 
to quote Dave from davesfarm, "You can depend on your Chevrolet on a cold day."

I'd say it depends on the model, though. GM's 60-degree V6 cars are wonderful, and Ford has several good drivetrains also. They both have their lemons.
 
If there is a hard way to design things and do things the hard way,FORD!You will cuss a lot when working on a Ford.Plus Ford loves to do 6 month changes.Some of the Ford engines are Mazda engines,the 2.0 4 cyl. and 2.5 V6 engines are Mazda engines.
 
My family has owned many GM's over the years, and I personally had 3 since 06( 2 trucks & 1 suv ), and they have been just fine. My Brother is a Ford truck man and that is all he owns. Have friends with Ford cars and SUV's. Basically both mfg's are well respresented in my world. I even worked at a Ford dealer but that was quite a while back.

Both mfg's make some outstanding vehicles and they both have a few turds. A vehicle from either for the most part will be a good choice.
 
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Only statistics taken to several decimal points reveal differances between all cars.A few years ago our national paper(globe&mail) stated that it would no longer "report actual numbers" because they are not "statisticly significant".That said they do report that one is better than the other but it is a tiny amount .I will look for links-no promises :)
 
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Originally Posted By: wafrederick1
If there is a hard way to design things and do things the hard way,FORD!You will cuss a lot when working on a Ford.Plus Ford loves to do 6 month changes.Some of the Ford engines are Mazda engines,the 2.0 4 cyl. and 2.5 V6 engines are Mazda engines.


The parts guy will do a lot of cussing too. They seem to change suppliers a lot and, like Forrest Gump says, you never know what you get.
 
Originally Posted By: wafrederick1
If there is a hard way to design things and do things the hard way,FORD!You will cuss a lot when working on a Ford.Plus Ford loves to do 6 month changes.Some of the Ford engines are Mazda engines,the 2.0 4 cyl. and 2.5 V6 engines are Mazda engines.


You really have no clue do you? Sorry, I ready your comments about the 4AFE and 7AFE engines before, and now I read this.

Regarding the 2.0L 4 cylinder engines. I think it depends on which ones. The current ones ARE Mazda, from the MZR, design, but built in Mexico in a Ford plant. The 2.5L V6, the Duratec was NEVER a Mazda engine. I don't think Mazda has made a 2.5L V6 since the Mazda 626.

Sure, the 2.5L that was in the Ford Probe was that Mazda engine, but Ford developed their own V6 of that size and it eventually found it's way into the Mazda MPV. But it was still a Ford engine. (I should know, my brand new Mazda MPV came with a Ford Motorcraft factory filter.

The 2.5L 4 cylinder is also a variant of the MZR family, but you specifically said V6.

But the 2.5L Duratec was never a Mazda engine.
 
Originally Posted By: wafrederick1
Ford uses the cheapest wiring harnesses made in Mexico


By Yazaki, a Japanese company. Ford's been using Yazaki harnesses for years. I'd much rather have a Delphi harness, but then I'm still a little [censored] about the biodegradable wiring harness in the Contour.
 
Originally Posted By: wafrederick1
If there is a hard way to design things and do things the hard way,FORD!You will cuss a lot when working on a Ford.Plus Ford loves to do 6 month changes.Some of the Ford engines are Mazda engines,the 2.0 4 cyl. and 2.5 V6 engines are Mazda engines.


The 2.3L put in Ford Rangers are also Mazda derived. But don't forget that Mazda has also used Ford engines such as the 3.0L Vulcan and the 3.7L which is, albeit, derived from the 3.5L "Duratec"
 
Originally Posted By: wafrederick1
If there is a hard way to design things and do things the hard way,FORD!You will cuss a lot when working on a Ford.Plus Ford loves to do 6 month changes.Some of the Ford engines are Mazda engines,the 2.0 4 cyl. and 2.5 V6 engines are Mazda engines.



And some of the GM engines(the better ones) are Saab, Isuzu, or Toyota.
 
I think it can be hit or miss with both brands. One thing is for sure...they both know how to build trucks very well.

I have been sticking with small Ford trucks because they have been very reliable in my experience. None of my Fords, even my rust bucket Explorer, ever broke down or failed to start...ever. I haven't even had to jump start one. Aside from the massive amount of rust on the Explorer, all of the problems I have encountered have been minor issues. No rebuilt engines, transmissions, or axles. I'm sure small GM trucks are the same for the most part, but I guess I'm just not a GM guy.
 
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