New Quality Study Looks at Design
The auto world always takes note when J.D. Power releases one of its quality studies. Today, the company announced the results of its latest Initial Quality Study measuring car buyers’ reactions after 90 days of ownership. While the list is below, we will mention that these numbers shouldn’t weigh too heavily in any car buying decisions.
The best and worst numbers are probably accurate in terms of ratios of which automakers experience the fewest and most problems. But the study itself takes into account expectations before a buyer drives off the lot, and this year it even factors in a car’s design. Neither expectations nor design sound like “quality” to us. When we think poor quality, we’re envisioning an actual mechanical problem, not a dislike for the cupholder placement.
With that disclaimer, here’s the list:
Nameplate (Problems per 100 vehicles)
- Porsche (91)
- Lexus (93)
- Hyundai (102)
- Toyota (106)
- Jaguar (109)
- Honda (110)
- Cadillac (117)
- Infiniti (117)
- GMC (119)
- Acura (120)
- Chrysler (120)
- Lincoln (121)
- Nissan (121)
- Chevrolet (124)
- Industry average (124)
- Ford (127)
- Mercury (129)
- Saturn (129)
- Audi (130)
- Dodge (132)
- Pontiac (133)
- Volvo (133)
- Buick (134)
- Mitsubishi (135)
- Kia (136)
- Mercedes-Benz (139)
- Scion (140)
- BMW (142)
- Subaru (146)
- Mazda (150)
- Mini (150)
- Jeep (153)
- Saab (163)
- Suzuki (169)
- Hummer (171)
- Volkswagen (171)
- Isuzu (191)
- Land Rover (204)
