J.D Power has been analyzing car quality for a quarter of a century now, this time noting problems discovered by original owners of 2011 model-year vehicles over the last 12 months, then comparing the results with what was recorded in previous years.
Dependability is rated according to the number of problems found per 100 vehicles (PP100); the study was carried out between the months of October and December 2013, and it involved 41,000 owners.
The latest iteration of their study has revealed that car quality has taken a downward turn for the first time since 1998. The numbers say that the most recent average was 133 PP100, marking a six percent increase in problems over what was recorded one year prior (126 PP100).
It’s actually the first time this has happened since the aforementioned year, the industry benefitting from “a continual improvement of dependability,” according to David Sargent, VP of global automotive at J.D. Power. He added that “some of the changes that automakers implemented for the 2011 model year have led to a noticeable increase in problems reported,” so it’s not necessarily the cars themselves getting worse, but rather the new pieces of tech that are still buggy and dragging the whole industry down…
However, don’t be fooled into thinking engines and transmissions are getting better; apparently they’re not. It’s an especially acute problem in four-cylinder cars whose problems have increased by a recorded 10 PP100 (probably due to the added complexity of the increasingly common turbocharged units). These, along with large diesels are the most problematic engines of all.
Mr. Sargent had something to add here too: “Automakers are continually looking for ways to improve fuel economy, which is a primary purchase motivator for many consumers, particularly those buying smaller vehicles. However, while striving to reduce fuel consumption, automakers must be careful not to compromise quality. Increases in such problems as engine hesitation, rough transmission shifts and lack of power indicate that this is a continuing challenge.”
In terms of brands, Lexus is number one (68 PP100), followed after a substantial gap by Mercedes (104 PP100), then Cadillac (107 PP100), Acura (109 PP100) and Buick (112 PP100). Cleaning up at the bottom of the same standings is Chrysler (192 PP100) and Dodge (183 PP100), much higher than the 132 PP 100 reported industry average.
Additional detailed lists available below, all courtesy of J.D. Power.
By Andrei Nedelea
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