TrueDelta: Ford Flex and Audi A4 A-OK (So Far)
TrueDelta has once again updated the results of its Car Reliability Survey. Based on over 10,000 responses for the first time, the new results cover owner experiences through March 31, 2009. Elsewhere, results continue to be based on an April 2008 survey. Thanks to these prompt quarterly updates, TrueDelta can provide reliability stats on new or redesigned models sooner, and then closely track cars as they age. Among the highlights: the 2009 Audi A4 has required 37 repair trips per 100 cars per year—similar to the benchmark Honda Accord. The implication: most of these cars will not require any repairs in their first year.
Among other new-for-2009 upscale sedans, the Hyundai Genesis has required 67 repair trips per 100 cars per year and the Jaguar XF has required 147. Another new 2009 model, the Ford Flex crossover, has required 38 repair trips per 100 cars per year, edging out the Honda Pilot’s 43. This reinforces Ford’s emerging reputation for first-rate product reliability. And Audi? Will the latest A4 continue to require few repairs as it ages? Time will tell. The previous A4, introduced as a 2005.5 model, remains about average in reliability. [fair disclosure: the author owns and operates the aforementioned TrueDelta website]
Michael Karesh lives in West Bloomfield, Michigan, with his wife and three children. In 2003 he received a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. While in Chicago he worked at the National Opinion Research Center, a leader in the field of survey research. For his doctoral thesis, he spent a year-and-a-half inside an automaker studying how and how well it understood consumers when developing new products. While pursuing the degree he taught consumer behavior and product development at Oakland University. Since 1999, he has contributed auto reviews to Epinions, where he is currently one of two people in charge of the autos section. Since earning the degree he has continued to care for his children (school, gymnastics, tae-kwan-do...) and write reviews for Epinions and, more recently, The Truth About Cars while developing TrueDelta, a vehicle reliability and price comparison site.
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Consumer Reports loves the Ford Fusion's great reliability. It has been as good as the long-lasting Toyota Camry and Honda Accord since its introduction.
Audis are pretty popular around here (9 dealers in the metro area) and I've never seen one with an LED daytime running light out that didn't also have its turn signal on. Including on my own beloved A3:-) To be honest tho, it had occurred to me before that, when I'm turning, oncoming drivers probably think my lights are broken.
There's apparently a mod that can be done (dealer might be able to do it, not sure) that makes the LED lights stay on permanently, even when the turn signals are on. Audi does seem to be getting their quality act together. I hope the trend continues, as Audi dominates the industry in just about everything else.
Good news I guess ... my A4 Avant is on the boat :)