The most dependable cars. JD Power 3-year study.

[Sunny]

Because their methodology is highly questionable. It's not some objective scientific research or a real physical test (like crash tests).

Owners get the questionnaires, and some respond, while some don't. Hardly a representative sample.

But that is how polls work. And they are scientific and they do work cause if you use big enough sample, you filter out the statistical noise (within margins of error).

ps. I am not saying anything about the quality of this particular survey cause I have no idea about the sample size or the margin of error or it's historical accuracy. But polls if done correctly do work.

 

[EnI]

Go figure: Lexus has the most recalls ever in the last few years - never before had Lexus so many recalls (compared to previous Lexus recall records). Yet JDP study shows Lexus records of Nr. of problems per 100 vehicles are the lowest ever. Something isn't right here, guys. Is perhaps mostly a subjective perception going on here? Why there are so many recalls, while people are detecting less problems then ever?

And as said: WTH is "problem"? A mechanical issue? An electronic issue in engine, brakes or suspension? Eg. airbag sensor issue? Or a software issue in infotainment system UI? Not all "problems" are equally important.

 

[EnI]

But that is how polls work. And they are scientific and they do work cause if you use big enough sample, you filter out the statistical noise (within margins of error).

ps. I am not saying anything about the quality of this particular survey cause I have no idea about the sample size or the margin of error or it's historical accuracy. But polls if done correctly do work.

Yes, if they are done so.

JDP's disclaimer: "Rankings are based on numerical scores, and not necessarily on statistical significance." That says it all. Such surveys are BS!

 

[Merc1]

What denial? Nobody is denying BMW has problems with quality, dependability, reliability. But that doesn't make all those surveys any more exact. You are in denial if you think those surveys are a good indicator of anything useful.

And what you just said doesn't make sense. If there is a problem (per you) then why wouldn't a survey that shows there is a problem not make sense or be useful?

You're saying the survey is bogus, but you admit BMW has a problem. If "all those" surveys are showing the same thing, i.e. a problem, then why aren't they valid? Doesn't make sense.

How come Mercedes and Porsche make the top 5 consistently and BMW and Audi don't?

M

 

[Merc1]

Go figure: Lexus has the most recalls ever in the last few years - never before had Lexus so many recalls (compared to previous Lexus recall records). Yet JDP study shows Lexus records of Nr. of problems per 100 vehicles are the lowest ever. Something isn't right here, guys. Is perhaps mostly a subjective perception going on here? Why there are so many recalls, while people are detecting less problems then ever?

And as said: WTH is "problem"? A mechanical issue? An electronic issue in engine, brakes or suspension? Eg. airbag sensor issue? Or a software issue in infotainment system UI? Not all "problems" are equally important.

A recall is something that Toyota/Lexus found, not necessarily the customer all the time.

M

 

[Merc1]

I think for the average consumer JD Power may be an important indication of the defects i.e quality of a brand.

Mercedes still has work to do to become competitive with Lexus. It is still quite far away from the top position achieved by Lexus and quite consistently over the years. But considering how much new technology is introduced by Mercedes, it may be quite difficult to match the Lexus' number of defects posted here.

This is true. All of their cars are using the same engines and transmissions from 2006-2007 when they were introduced.

M

 

[EnI]

What I miss here in the survey results presented is WHAT problems were detected, NOT HOW MANY.

Regarding several different surveys ... They can produce completely different results. Eg for the X3 the German ADAC survey found the car the most reliable of all, while JDP found the car one of the least reliable cars. How come? Americans getting lemon all the cars, while German the perfect ones?

 

[Merc1]

Well you have to pay JDP for that information. That is what the carmakers do every year.

No not lemons, different criteria.

M

 

[bum-man]

2014 Dependability

 

[Merc1]

Mercedes is doing it. NO other European car is even close. That is the quality of a Mercedes. That said it will drop next year for sure.


M

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Just to point out the elephant in the room...Lexus performance is INCREDIBLE!

 

[Sovereign]

Brand scores (problems per 100 vehicles for 2011 models; lower is better):

• Lexus (68)
• Mercedes-Benz (104)
• Cadillac (107)
• Acura (109)
• Buick (112)
• Honda (114)
• Lincoln (114)
• Toyota (114)
• Porsche (125)
• Infiniti (128)
• BMW (130)
• Subaru (131)
• Chevrolet (132)
• Jaguar (132)
• Mazda (132)
• GMC (133)
• INDUSTRY AVERAGE (133)
• Ford (140)
• Nissan (142)
• Audi (151)
• Kia (151)
• Volvo (152)
• Scion (153)
• Chrysler (155)
• Volkswagen (158)
• Ram (165)
• Mitsubishi (166)
• Hyundai (169)
• Jeep (178)
• Land Rover (179)
• Dodge (181)
• Mini (185)

Segment winners (top three models in each category, starting with best):

Subcompact car

• Honda Fit
• Kia Rio
• Nissan Versa

Compact car

• Chevrolet Volt
• Toyota Corolla
• Honda Civic

Premium compact car

• Lexus ES
• Lexus IS
• Lincoln MKZ

Sporty compact car

• Mini Cooper
• (No others scored high enough to include.)

Midsize car

• Toyota Camry
• Buick LaCrosse
• Honda Accord

Sporty midsize car

• Chevrolet Camaro
• (No others high enough to include)

Premium midsize car

• Lexus GS
• Mercedes-Benz E-class
• Lincoln MKS

Large car

• Buick Lucerne
• Toyota Avalon
• Ford Taurus

Premium large car

• (tie) Cadillac DTS, Lexus LS

Subcompact crossover SUV

• Honda Element
• Jeep Patriot
• Kia Sportage

Compact crossover SUV

• Honda CR-V
• Toyota FJ Cruiser
• Toyota RAV4

Premium compact crossover SUV

• Acura RDX
• Mercedes-Benz GLK
• (No others high enough to include)

Midsize crossover SUV

• Honda Crosstour
• Toyota 4Runner
• Nissan Murano

Premium midsize crossover SUV

• Lexus RX
• Lexus GX
• (tie) Acura MDX, Mercedes-Benz M-class

Large SUV

• GMC Yukon
• Chevrolet Tahoe
• Toyota Sequoia

Premium large SUV

• Cadillac Escalade
• Mercedes-Benz GL

Compact multi-purpose vehicle

• Scion xB
• Kia Soul
• (No others high enough to include)

Midsize pickup

• Honda Ridgeline
• Ford Ranger
• GMC Canyon

Minivan

• Toyota Sienna
• (No others high enough to include)

Full-size pickup, standard duty

• GMC Sierra
• Toyota Tundra
• Chevrolet Avalanche

Full-size pickup, heavy duty

• GMC Sierra HD
• Chevrolet Silverado HD
• (No others high enough to include)

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2014/02/12/used-cars-less-dependable-jdpower/5403139/


Lexus is ahead by huge margin. Mercedes is 2nd but very close to the 3rd. With new cars the number may slip. But still the difference between 1st and 2nd is very large.

The good news is that my favorite car brand has scored among the top in almost all segments mentioned in the list. I hope Mercedes will further improve and close the gap with the top scorer here.

 

[LaArtist]

Lexus never made anything new.. everything is old tech..

Now mercedes on the other hand pioneer new stuff each and every damn year.. probably more than most behind them..

So for them to be 2nd.. its a demonstration of power..and that's where they should stay..

If Lexus decided to come out with ANYTHING new on the market that has not been seen yet.. you would see them slide off that 1st pos faster than a lubed ass slides down a waterslide

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

You may have a point. About 7 years ago, when Lexus were showing signs of life, their ratings did slip slightly. Both my uncles 2006 IS250 and 2007 GS300 have had there fair share of issues. Nothing drastic, but niggling problems non the less.

I suspect MB will drop slightly in the IQS given the issues some A-class and CLA buyers are reporting. The CLA will directly impact on the JD power ratings in the US.

 

[Sovereign]

Lexus never made anything new.. everything is old tech..

Now mercedes on the other hand pioneer new stuff each and every damn year.. probably more than most behind them..

So for them to be 2nd.. its a demonstration of power..and that's where they should stay..

If Lexus decided to come out with ANYTHING new on the market that has not been seen yet.. you would see them slide off that 1st pos faster than a lubed ass slides down a waterslide

This is true and we the car enthusiast understand that Mercedes take far more risk by introducing new technology, but the average Joe may not recognize this fact. Regardless, Lexus is number 1 here and Mercedes is very respectable 2nd but not 1st like it is in introducing new tech features.

 

[Kowalski]

Artist is right. Mercedes is doing very well indeed considering the size of their range and how they are at the leading edge of the industry, unlike Lexus that has a very small range and doesn't innovate as often as Mercedes.

BMW and Jaguar have significantly improved in comparison to previous years, on the other hand, Porsche dropped it. Audi has gone up a little, but sadly still below average. Volkswagen is a lost cause, really.

 

[Merc1]

Next year will be the telling year. It will look at the 2012 MY cars and those have all the new engines in them. All the V8s were turbocharged for 2012, the new I4s in the C250s and the new 302hp 3.5L V6 in all the "350" models. I fully expect Mercedes to fall to average next year.

M

 

[Laptime2014]

JD power and Consumer Reports in North America are a bit of a joke to be honest. I think it is a shame so many "regular consumers" put so much faith in these surveys. An example of this is back in 2009, the company I work for won a JD power award and it was being poorly run, customer service was awful, so on... The past 2 years have been the best ever across all areas and we were not even considered for the award either year. I agree with some of the other posts. Who they survey determines what kind of results they get. One person may think that any trip back to the dealer for even a small issue is reason enough to rate their car poorly. Others may rate their cars higher depending on what the issue was. Just my 2 cents.

 

[GTA45E]

One person may think that any trip back to the dealer for even a small issue is reason enough to rate their car poorly. Others may rate their cars higher depending on what the issue was. Just my 2 cents.

Not the case at all, the ratings from owners are all categorized.
For example if you have interior issues with fit and finish or something either breaks or malfunctions, that is a quality issue.

Your job as an owner is to mark off these quality points (good or bad) and return them to JD Power.
Thay tally up points to give you a score on what car company is doing better than another on an overall score.