JD Power Initial Quality Study Shows GM, Hyundai, Porsche Leading The Pack
J.D. Power has released their U.S. Initial Quality Study for 2014, where General Motors, Hyundai and Porsche earned top marks despite consumers still struggling with the gizmology taking over their vehicles.
Autoblog reports GM’s Buick, Chevrolet and GMC captured more awards than anyone else in the 2014 IQS, with six vehicles winning in their segments. Meanwhile, Hyundai and Porsche were ranked best overall mass-market and premium brand, respectively, where the former reported 94 issues per 100 vehicles reported in the first 90 days, 74/100 for the latter. Porsche also dominated the IQS, having the best score of all brands surveyed.
On the other end of the scale, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles ranked poorly in the study, with Fiat holding dead last at 206 problems per 100 vehicles reported in the survey period. Jeep came second-to-last with 146/100, while Dodge was just below the industry average at 124/100. Only Ram and Chrysler fared the best, matching or just exceeding the average of 116/100.
Part of the results may be due to automakers pushing the envelope on technology and new features to make consumers’ lives easier. J.D. Power Vice President of Global Automotive David Sargent says “almost all automakers are struggling” to introduce these pieces “without introducing additional quality problems.” In turn, some consumers are noting the technologies involved are “hard to understand, difficult to use, or [do] not always work as designed.”
Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
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There will always be some sacrifice. Keeping a perfect balance between zero-defects and performance is impossible. I love my 911 Turbo and non-turbo but quality sucks. It performs but it breaks, alot. Porsche added more Japanese suppliers to their models (transmission&electronics) so it's much better than before, but still too many problems related to the engine.
And ... does the defect have to be discovered and reported to the dealer to be considered a defect? Or is it totally self reported. Customer thinks they have a defect, they have a defect. If a dealer gets the car back in (for any reason) and then discovers/fixes it and the customer doesn't notice or care, is it a defect? One example -- that isn't really analogous -- is that I have an Acura with the infamous bad transmission. It was replaced twice by the dealer -- but, amazingly enough -- I never reported a problem. The first time, the dealer found it and fixed it. I was in a a turbo RDX before I could even think about it and picked my car up 2 days later. The second time, the dealer, during normal service again noticed some minor symptoms and suggested immediate replacement because the extended warranty was running out. I remember the Xenon headlight that cost north of $500 to fix. Transmission problems? Only with a feeling of fondness toward the dealer. The Acura dealer service department could replace a transmission in their sleep. As Malcolm Gladwell says -- it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert. The point being, it not only has to be a defect, but perceived as a defect. My Acura dealer always follows up with an email and/or phone call to make sure I am TOTALLY SATISFIED.
When ever I delivered a new vehicle I would have the customer repeat back to me that they are "completely satisfied" with the vehicle/sales process upon delivery. That is the only acceptable score according to the manufacturers lol. Anyways I would always have to say fill out the survey "completely satisfied" and just call me personally and I will get it fixed. I first learned that while working for GM... I think this practice is more widely used than advertised
Sigh...sadly Honda is slacking but still up top. But my experience with the 8th gen Civic('08) left me rather disappointed. I'll see if my experience with the '13 Honda Civic Si is any better. So far so good.