The latest automobile dependability study by J. D. Power came out last month.
J. D. Power based their ratings on interviews with 80,000 vehicle owners who were asked about the problems they experienced during the past year on their 2016 vehicles. The survey covers 177 specific problems in eight categories. These are 1. Exterior; 2. Features, Controls, Displays; 3. Seats; 4. Interior; 5. Driving Experience; 6. Audio, Communication, Entertainment, Navigation; 7. HVAC; 8. Engine & transmission.
From 2013 to 2017 overall quality of vehicles surveyed (2010-2014) was declining, but in the 2018 survey of 2015 vehicles, overall quality improved 9% over the previous year and in the 2019 survey of 2016 vehicles, overall quality increased another 4%.
We repair almost every make and model of vehicle and we see expensive problems that we agree just shouldn’t have happened but did because of poor designs or materials. Some examples are alternators that fail and short out a powertrain control module. Another is a belt tensioner that creates too much tension, causing the belt to walk off the pulley. Then there are oil leaks that can get very expensive. These experiences can, for the most part, be avoided by purchasing a vehicle that carries a high rating on the survey.
The survey found the most reliable brand overall was once again Lexus for the eighth year in a row. Tied for second place were Toyota and Porsche. Chevrolet ranked fourth followed by Buick. Honda used to rank high but is now rated below average. Every year’s study is listed on the website, so any year vehicle can be checked.
What is not obvious in the published documents is what category the problems on a specific vehicle fall into. For instance, if the problems are in the area of audio and entertainment that would be less serious an issue than if the problems were engine and transmission. None the less, the vehicles that score higher are more reliable in all areas.
Our advice has always been to buy a reliable vehicle, maintain it correctly and drive it up to 200,000 miles or more. This approach saves much money on repairs and replacement.
