[sarathlal]

According to the 2013 Consumer Reports survey on car reliability, which was published today, there seems to be a shift in terms of reliability factor with respect to Japanese and European brands especially. Yes, the Japs are not losing, but others are indeed winning, which in turn is a very good sign for the consumers.

As a group, the nine Japanese brands in the survey still produce a remarkable number of reliable cars. Of the almost 100 models, 90 percent were average or better and almost a third of them received top marks. Ten of those highest scorers were Toyotas. All Lexus and Acura models earned an above average reliability score while all Infiniti, Mazda, and Toyota models earned an average or better reliability score.

Though Japanese car brands continue to dominate in car reliability, certain surprises are in store. For eg; The Honda Accord V6, has a below-average rating. And the redesigned Nissan Altima, in both four- and six-cylinder forms, is well below average and last among midsized cars.

Audi is the top European carmaker in the survey, moving up four places this year to finish fourth, just behind the Japs.
Three Audis—the A6 2.0T sedan, Q7 SUV, and Allroad wagon—have "much better than average" reliability.
Volvo jumped 13 places to seventh.

For Ford, only its F-150 pickup with the 3.7-liter V6, scored above average. (which is anyway not in our market) Several EcoBoost turbocharged V6 models have poor reliability ratings.

Hyundai slid to 21st place.

BMW and Mercedes-Benz remained around midpack among all brands. Most models from those German badges are average or better, with each company having a few problem children: the BMW 335i and turbocharged six-cylinder X3, and the diesel-powered Mercedes M-Class.
Volkswagen, which turned in a middling performance, was especially hampered by the trouble-prone Beetle, GTI, and Touareg.

Good news for hybrids as the Toyota Prius, Lexus ES 300h, Toyota Prius C, and Honda CR-Z hybrids, along with the pure-electric Nissan Leaf, were among the top models in reliability.

One of the key problem areas in Consumer Reports' survey centers on in-car electronics, including the proliferating suite of audio, navigation, communication, and connected systems in newer cars. Of the 17 problem areas CR asks about, the category including in-car electronics generated more complaints from owners of 2013 models than for any other category.

Limiting the notes to focus on the brands which are relevant to our market alone and in an comparison perspective as to how global audience react.

Please see the source for detailed information: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/n...rvey/index.htm

[volkman10]

2014
The 2014 Consumer Reports reliability survey shows if you want reliability - get a Lexus. The top 4 scores are held by Japenese manufacturers and Audi comes 5th.

Fiat- Chrysler appears as the least reliable vehicle (Model 500L, Cherokee 4 cyld.).
Strange it may seem GM beats Nissan in the reliability factor.




http://www.carscoops.com/2014/10/sur...-you-want.html

[volkman10]

Least Reliable CARS- US

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlGM88xes8U

[volkman10]

Consumer Reports have picked up for US 10 - top comments, Tesla enters the list.

1. Cadillac Escalade -Problem showed up at 3,000 miles. Had to take to dealer 4 times...New transmission installed!

2. Ford Focus - Clutches slipped from new. Replaced at 10000 miles still does not shift properly in traffic

3. Jeep Renegade -Car dropped firing cylinders was told the valve timing was off and needed repair

4.Chevrolet Suburban / GMC Yukon XL- Steering column had to be replaced. Was making snapping noise when turning

5.Chrysler 200 -the (transmission) software has been replaced 4 times and it still doesn't shift smoothly each time

6.Tesla Model X-Falcon doors keep getting stuck closed but unlatched, trapping people inside. Fails with the slightest bit of slush or ice. Tesla's fixes only work a few weeks

7.Fiat 500L -Drivers side seat back latching system failed. Required the entire seat to be replaced under warranty

8.Ford Fiesta -Within 20000 miles the clutch has been replaced two times, working on its third

9.Ram 2500-Front 4-Wheel drive tried to engage due to faulty modules on Left side at 2200 miles; replaced under warranty. Right side failed about 400 miles later; replaced under warranty


10.Chevrolet Tahoe / GMC Yukon -Screen froze blue. Had replaced. Then had trim issues from the repair. Then went blue again. Replaced again only to find out that they are planning a recall

Source

[desdemona]

Consumer Reports are telephone survey based, riddled with very gross sampling errors since their subscribers are not in any way representative of the numbers of cars and models that sell in the multiple usa sub- or distinct regional markets, etc.

With the 'reliability' 'data' simply not standardised/adjusted, either (i.e., adjusted for bias, such as equating a bad dealer experience over a service issue more than the issue in the first place, equating snowy/icy engine performance differences with defects etc)

Warranty data, including cost, from sites like truedelta (in the usa) and analogous ones say in the UK consistently reveal a very different picture to the one CR seems to come up with. Even their fellow but better-sampled, more honest and rigorous JD Power surveys seem to be at considerable variance to CR's ratings on 'reliability', especially in the middle range of the rankings.

Overall, though, it seems that as European and American firms have fully adopted the revolutionary legacy-ideas of the famous Toyota system, over the last 2 decades, the differences in these matters has compressed across firms and national-origins.

Other issues, as revealed by the slew of serious recall campigns that ALL (including Toyota and Lexus, as well as Hyundai-Kia) firms now are having to conduct, beyond outright 'reliability' or 'percieved' 'quality', persist and may indeed be worsening given the far greater complexity of automotive systems nowadays? Esp related to IT/touchscreen and other electronics, and to dual-clutch transmissions and/or large-gear-number transmissions' programming?