Mercs, Audis, Volvos Not So Dependable

Japanese car makers still lead in terms of long-term vehicle reliability, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2003 Vehicle Dependability Study(SM) just released. However, some traditionally strong European brands have fallen from grace while US makers improve.

The 2003 study measured problems after 3 years of ownership, among original owners in the US. According to Joe Ivers, a partner at J.D. Power and Associates 'Conventional wisdom said that dependability was the property of the Japanese and Europeans. While that's still true for automakers like Toyota and Honda, and while ... Porsche, Jaguar, Saab and BMW perform well above the industry average in dependability, many other European brands fall far short... This is in stark contrast to the results of the first VDS survey, conducted in 1990, when Mercedes-Benz led the industry'.

Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc. boasts nine models with top segment rankings, followed by Ford Motor Company and General Motors with three each, and American Honda and Porsche Cars North America with one each. Lexus is the top-ranked nameplate for the ninth consecutive year. General Motors is the only US manufacturer to rank above the industry average in the corporate rankings.

Other notable performances in the 2003 results include Subaru and GMC, which both performed considerably better when measured at three years than when they were measured at 90 days of ownership. At the other end of the spectrum is Mercedes-Benz, which experiences the largest quality gap between initial quality and long-term quality measurements. Also deteriorating more rapidly than the average vehicle are Audi and Volvo.

Some problems that occur much more frequently as vehicles age include excessive brake wear, air conditioning system issues, wind noise and the replacement of components not called for under the normal maintenance schedule. New problems that arise as vehicles age include issues with shocks and struts; faded, cracked or worn materials; worn or broken moldings; cracked and peeling paint; and various fluid leaks.

Among new-vehicle buyers, 52 percent indicate that long-term durability is among their most important factors in choosing a vehicle, while many people who buy used vehicles do so because they consider that the quality of the used vehicle is as good as a new one. 'Manufacturers must align themselves with consumer expectations for durability' says Ivers.

The 2003 Vehicle Dependability Study is based on responses from more than 55,000 original owners of 2000 model-year cars and light trucks. The study covers 147 specific problem symptoms grouped into nine major vehicle systems. Previous waves of the study looked at vehicles after 4-5 years.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.

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