2016 JD Power Vehicle Initial Quality Study Released!

[Achtung!]

Kia, Porsche and Hyundai top the 2016 JD Power Vehicle Initial Quality Study.

I guess the Koreans and Germans have been doing a lot of refining of their vehicles.

http://www.jdpower.com/press-releases/2016-us-initial-quality-study-iqs

U.S. New-Vehicle Quality Makes Largest Improvement in 7 Years, J.D. Power Study Finds

Kia Ranks Highest among Nameplates, Ending 27-Year Reign for Premium Brands
DETROIT: 22 June 2016 — New-vehicle quality improves 6%, double the 3% rate of improvement in 2015 and the largest increase since 2009, according to the J.D. Power 2016 U.S. Initial Quality StudySM (IQS), released today.

The study, now in its 30th year, examines problems experienced by vehicle owners during the first 90 days of ownership. Initial quality is determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality.

Quality improves across all eight problem categories measured in the study, with 21 of the 33 brands included in the study improving their quality in 2016 and one remaining the same.

“Manufacturers are currently making some of the highest quality products we’ve ever seen,” said Renee Stephens, vice president of U.S. automotive quality at J.D. Power. “Tracking our data over the past several years, it has become clear that automakers are listening to the customer, identifying pain points and are focused on continuous improvement. Even as they add more content, including advanced technologies that have had a reputation for causing problems, overall quality continues to improve.”

Following are some of the study’s key findings:

U.S. Domestic Automakers Show Strong Improvement: For just the second time in the 30-year history of the study, U.S. domestic brands collectively have lower problem levels than all their import counterparts combined. All three U.S. domestic automakers post year-over-year quality improvements. The “Detroit Three” achieve a combined average of 103 PP100, improving 10% from 2015, which is double the improvement rate of the import brands at 106 PP100. The last time U.S. domestic brands outpaced imports was in 2010, when they held a 1 PP100 advantage (108 PP100 vs. 109 PP100, respectively).
Non-Premium Brands Have Fewer Problems: For the first time since 2006, non-premium brands have fewer problems (104 PP100) than premium brands (108 PP100).
High Quality = High Loyalty: Expected reliability remains the most important consideration when purchasing a new vehicle, cited by 49% of owners. J.D. Power has studied consumer behavior from when they purchase or lease their new vehicle through when they are back in the market for their next vehicle in order to measure the impact initial quality has on brand loyalty.[1] Among owners who experience no problems with their vehicle in the first 90 days, 54% stay with the same brand for their next vehicle. Loyalty drops to 50% among owners who experience one problem with their vehicle and to 45% among those who experience three or more problems.
“There is a direct correlation between the number of problems a customer has with their new vehicle and the decisions they make when it comes time to purchase or lease their next car or truck,” said Stephens. “While a small drop in actual loyalty may not sound like much, a percentage point drop in share can mean millions of dollars in lost revenue to an automaker.”

Highest-Ranked Nameplates and Models
Kia ranks highest in initial quality with a score of 83 PP100, the first time in 27 years that a non-premium brand has topped the rankings. It is also the second consecutive year that Kia, which ranked second in 2015, has led all non-premium makes in initial quality.

Porsche (84 PP100) ranks second among nameplates, followed by Hyundai (92 PP100), Toyota (93 PP100) and BMW (94 PP100).

Chrysler and Jeep are the most improved brands, each reducing the number of problems by 28 PP100 from 2015.

General Motors receives seven model-level awards, followed by Toyota Motor Corporation with six and Hyundai Motor Company and Volkswagen AG, each with four.

General Motors models that rank highest in their respective segments are the Buick Cascada; Chevrolet Equinox; Chevrolet Silverado HD; Chevrolet Silverado LD; Chevrolet Spark; Chevrolet Tahoe; and GMC Terrain.
Toyota Motor Corporation models that rank highest in their segment are the Lexus CT; Lexus GS; Scion tC; Toyota Camry; Toyota Corolla; and Toyota Highlander.
Hyundai Motor Company models that rank highest in their segment are the Hyundai Accent; Hyundai Azera; Kia Soul; and Kia Sportage.
Volkswagen AG models that rank highest in their segment are the Audi Q3, Audi TT, Porsche Macan and Porsche 911.
Plant Quality Awards
Toyota Motor Corporation’s Georgetown 3 (Kentucky) plant, which produces the Lexus ES, and its Kyushu 2 (Japan) plant, which produces the Lexus ES and Lexus RX, each receive the Platinum Plant Quality Award in a tie for producing models with the fewest defects or malfunctions. Plant quality awards are based solely on defects and malfunctions and exclude design-related problems.

Porsche’s Stuttgart (Germany) plant, which produces the Porsche 911 and Porsche Boxster, receives the Gold Plant Quality Award in the Europe/Africa region.

The 2016 U.S. Initial Quality Study is based on responses from more than 80,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2016 model-year vehicles surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study is based on a 233-question battery organized into eight problem categories designed to provide manufacturers with information to facilitate the identification of problems and drive product improvement. The study was fielded from February through May 2016.

Find detailed information on vehicle quality, as well as model photos and specs, at jdpower.com/quality

For more information about the 2016 U.S. Initial Quality Study,visit http://www.jdpower.com/resource/us-initial-quality-study-iqs

See the online press release at http://www.jdpower.com/press-releases/2016-us-initial-quality-study-iqs

 

[Subyman]

Good to see American manufacturers toward the top. Good showing by Chevrolet.

 

[marincounty]

This study is useless propaganda.
"The study, now in its 30th year, examines problems experienced by vehicle owners during the first 90 days of ownership."
I don't see how the first 90 days of ownership are so important, how about 3 years?

"For just the second time in the 30-year history of the study, U.S. domestic brands collectively have lower problem levels than all their import counterparts combined"
LOL

 

[Jimzz]

All these "studies" are junk IMO. They do not release their raw data and they count problems the same. So a brake light going out and being replaced at the dealer, 1 ding. The engine blowing up and leaving you on the side of the road, 1 ding.

I remember when Hummer was almost dead last and I think it was JD power that said the 2 biggest complaints that hurt it was it rode like a truck and got bad gas mileage.

 

[ElFenix]

This study is useless propaganda.
"The study, now in its 30th year, examines problems experienced by vehicle owners during the first 90 days of ownership."
I don't see how the first 90 days of ownership are so important,

probably because there's nothing worse than buying a brand new car off the lot and having to take it in for something.
/1stworldproblems

how about 3 years?

you know they do that one, too?

 

[marincounty]

probably because there's nothing worse than buying a brand new car off the lot and having to take it in for something.
/1stworldproblems

Really? I'd rather bring it in to have some sensor replaced than bring it back in three years with a blown transmission.

 

[YBS1]

This study is useless propaganda.
"The study, now in its 30th year, examines problems experienced by vehicle owners during the first 90 days of ownership."
I don't see how the first 90 days of ownership are so important, how about 3 years?

"For just the second time in the 30-year history of the study, U.S. domestic brands collectively have lower problem levels than all their import counterparts combined"
LOL

I can tell you how this is just as meaningful, initial quality is a measure almost completely of something the manufacturers have control of. Three years in, the type of people purchasing the vehicle, what a vehicle is subjected to, how it's treated, and diligence of routine maintenance will be very large factors in any study. An F150 will likely live a rougher life than a Lexus IS350 or Honda Accord. So would a vehicle more likely to be driven by a teen than a forty five year old male.

 

[ponyo]

Kia is number one? Lol, someone got paid off.

 

[mafia]

Kia is number one? Lol, someone got paid off.

In Initial Quality...
Go look at the 2016 JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study and then Kia is put back into it's place.

 

[Achtung!]

This study is useless propaganda.
"The study, now in its 30th year, examines problems experienced by vehicle owners during the first 90 days of ownership."
I don't see how the first 90 days of ownership are so important, how about 3 years?

"For just the second time in the 30-year history of the study, U.S. domestic brands collectively have lower problem levels than all their import counterparts combined"
LOL

It's based on actual data though, not some anecdotal evidence.

Kia is number one? Lol, someone got paid off.

Same reason why Porsche is number two?

 

[Jimzz]

It's based on actual data though, not some anecdotal evidence.



Same reason why Porsche is number two?

What Data? They never release any of that or how they calculated from it. I have data that says VW/Audi makes the greatest most reliable cars in the world. No you can't see the data, only the results I list... and sell.

 

[jdoggg12]

It's based on actual data though, not some anecdotal evidence.

If you treat different issues (eg a reading light going out and bowing the motor) the same (1 issue) then yes, raw data is useless.

The reason people tend to trust consumer reports (regardless of how one feels about their testing methodology) is because they not only rate overall rates of issues, but they also break down the issues into several categories (electrical, transmission, paint/body, etc).

 

[pauldun170]

Maybe Kia has lowest reported problems because Kia owners are 88% more likely to throw junk mail in the trash. The Kia owners that do respond are people whose benchmark car was Chevy Beretta and who also pick up the phone when the caller Id says "Unknown Caller".

That's scientific fact

 

[Ns1]

In Initial Quality...
Go look at the 2016 JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study and then Kia is put back into it's place.

LOL

 

[desy]

Holy hell its just a study, as with most there are flaws but the metrics are interesting none the less.
I'm surprised Acura Honda placed so low, did they add a weird infotainment system like mySync in Ford a few years ago?
Yes the 3 yrs study is more meaningful and older than that I go here.
http://www.longtermqualityindex.com/
Very positive trend for Korean cars over the last decade might be a Sportage in my future

 

[jdoggg12]

I'm surprised Acura Honda placed so low

As a longtime Honda/Acura owner, it's not surprising. Their overall quality is a ghost of what it used to be. Little shit breaking, clicking, rattling, or not working right now seems to be the norm.

I was looking to replace my 05 TL with a 14-16 TL/TLX until I checked to see if they still had the same stellar reliability as mine. Nope, every article showed a steady decline of the Car since around 09. They'll probably still run forever, but it'll drive you crazy in the meantime.


As an industry, can we please just slow down on the "OMG look at this new [insert marginally useful doodad] on the 'All New' Ford Civic SRT18 Hybrid 34speed!" Take some time to make sure all those buttons, levers, handles, seals, and electronics will work for 10+ years? No, planned obsolescence is NOT the way to get me to buy more of your vehicles, building a reliable one is. Do that and you've got a customer for life. Don't do that and I'll jump ship to the company that will.

/rant

 

[exar333]

As a longtime Honda/Acura owner, it's not surprising. Their overall quality is a ghost of what it used to be. Little shit breaking, clicking, rattling, or not working right now seems to be the norm.

I was looking to replace my 05 TL with a 14-16 TL/TLX until I checked to see if they still had the same stellar reliability as mine. Nope, every article showed a steady decline of the Car since around 09. They'll probably still run forever, but it'll drive you crazy in the meantime.


As an industry, can we please just slow down on the "OMG look at this new [insert marginally useful doodad] on the 'All New' Ford Civic SRT18 Hybrid 34speed!" Take some time to make sure all those buttons, levers, handles, seals, and electronics will work for 10+ years? No, planned obsolescence is NOT the way to get me to buy more of your vehicles, building a reliable one is. Do that and you've got a customer for life. Don't do that and I'll jump ship to the company that will.

/rant

I think it is less planned obsolescence and more just penny-pinching in a race to the bottom, especially for mod-tier luxury cars that have more and more competition from top-trim level entry cara these days. Throw in that many people are looking for more tech and focusing less on quality buttons, dashes, etc. and go 'oooh shiny!' at Apple CarPlay and ignore a cheap window button that likely will break in 2-3 years.

Grab a 90s Honda and look at the quality. It is built like a tank...

 

[jdoggg12]

Grab a 90s Honda and look at the quality. It is built like a tank...

I beat the living hell out of my 1996 Acura integra and it only broke when I did something to hurt it.

My 2005 TL has had only a couple minor issues like the passenger lock doohicky not moving (door still locks/unlocks), the power steering whines (known issue, I missed fixing it under warranty), and the door handle covers popped off (3/4 of them have, either on the freeway or in touchless carwashes)

New hondas seem to have glass transmissions (especisally in the V6 models), terrible button longevity (windows, locks, stereos, A/c), and their paint has always been shit but it's getting even worse.

 

[exar333]

I beat the living hell out of my 1996 Acura integra and it only broke when I did something to hurt it.

My 2005 TL has had only a couple minor issues like the passenger lock doohicky not moving (door still locks/unlocks), the power steering whines (known issue, I missed fixing it under warranty), and the door handle covers popped off (3/4 of them have, either on the freeway or in touchless carwashes)

New hondas seem to have glass transmissions (especisally in the V6 models), terrible button longevity (windows, locks, stereos, A/c), and their paint has always been shit but it's getting even worse.

Totally agree.

I had an older 92 Prelude a few years back and not one button was broken, non-functioning or the like on it. It was built to last and you could tell.

 

[SSSnail]

What I got from this is - Buy a Porsche!

 

[Greenman]

This study is useless propaganda.
"The study, now in its 30th year, examines problems experienced by vehicle owners during the first 90 days of ownership."
I don't see how the first 90 days of ownership are so important, how about 3 years?

"For just the second time in the 30-year history of the study, U.S. domestic brands collectively have lower problem levels than all their import counterparts combined"
LOL

Yup. Pretty much all garbage. I owned a car that used to be on the JD Powers top ten list of worst cars ever made. Drove it for a quarter million miles.

 

[jdoggg12]

Yup. Pretty much all garbage. I owned a car that used to be on the JD Powers top ten list of worst cars ever made. Drove it for a quarter million miles.

Therein lies the problem... without a qualifier of WHAT issues are going wrong, then a car can be rated terribly for stupid stuff like "navigation is slow", "cup holder arms don't retract", or "trunk lights flicker". Meanwhile, the car runs for half a million miles with no engine or transmission issues at all.

 

[agent00f]

It's based on actual data though, not some anecdotal evidence.



Same reason why Porsche is number two?

Porsche is high because they're reasonably built for a low-miles weekend car. When you see a result like that it's almost certainly because they don't normalize for mileage.

 

[hans007]

the how much you like your car in the first 90 days list is a pretty stupid list as it is.

i mean mazdas are great cars and i can't see a list like this ever stopping me from buying a mazda.

i brought a brand new acura in to the dealership after 1 day once because i noticed there was a scratch on the bumper and hadn't when i was buying it (it was night time). that would have counted, but really something like that is much less important to me than say the IMS shaft bearing blowing up in my porsche 5-6 years later (i know this isnt a problem anymore, but still , it was and it never would occur in 90s days) or needing my high pressure fuel pump in a 335i replaced after a year or something like that. and porsche has been at the top of this list for years

 

[Brovane]

I have to wonder why Tesla Motors is not listed? They did produce 50k+ cars last year. Does a car company have to pay to be listed?