J.D. Power: Vehicle reliability declines for first time since 1998

February 13, 2014
A new survey published by J.D. Power and Associates suggests vehicle quality may be on the decline for the first time since 1998.

The firm asked owners to report the number of problems they’ve experienced with their 2011-model-year vehicles. Responses show an average of 133 problems per 100 vehicles, marking a six-percent increase over the previous year.

Until this year, we have seen a continual improvement in vehicle dependability,” said J.D. Power VP of global automotive, David Sargent. “However, some of the changes that automakers implemented for the 2011 model year have led to a noticeable increase in problems reported.

The majority of the increase has been associated with engine and transmission problems, particularly for vehicles with four-cylinder engines or large diesel powerplants. Analysts suggest automakers may be making quality sacrifices to achieve better fuel efficiency.

Increases in such problems as engine hesitation, rough transmission shifts and lack of power indicate that this is a continuing challenge,” Sargent added.

Taking a closer look at the numbers, Lexus has maintained its position atop the dependability ratings for the third consecutive year. The brand only fetched 68 problem reports per 100 vehicles, significantly better than second-place Mercedes-Benz with 104 problems per 100 vehicles. Cadillac, Acura and Buick followed close behind to round out the top five.

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