GM, Hyundai Gain in Consumer Survey

[Amused]

DETROIT (Nov. 8) - Vehicles from General Motors Corp., Hyundai Motor Co. and Volvo showed improved reliability in a new survey by Consumer Reports magazine, while models from some Japanese automakers dropped.

A sample of the survey results, released late Thursday, elevated several GM vehicles to Consumer Reports' list of recommended vehicles - the Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban and Tahoe and the GMC Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL.

The publication, well known for its scrutiny of products, recommends only models that have performed well in testing and have shown average or better reliability.

To establish reliability, Consumer Reports sends annual surveys to its 4 million subscribers, seeking insight on vehicles they own. About 480,000 readers responded to the 2002 survey, spokesman Douglas Love said.

The results covered the 1995 to 2002 model years.

Hyundai's improved reliability helped the Sonata and Sante Fe make the recommended list. The Volvo S60, V70 and Cross Country also improved to average and are now recommended.

GM's higher ratings boosted the total number of the company's vehicles recommended by Consumer Reports from four to 13, including the automaker's Saab unit.

``Our belief has always been that our efforts to improve initial quality would lead to improvements in long-term reliability,'' said Gary Cowger, president of GM North America. ``These welcomed recommendations from Consumer Reports are the first demonstration of those efforts.''

Some foreign models didn't fare as well.

The Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima and Subaru Impreza all dropped to average reliability. The major complaint for all three: squeaks, rattles and loose trim, which are part of the survey's ``body integrity'' and ``body hardware'' categories.

Despite the weaker showings, each is still recommended by the publication.

The survey results are summarized in Consumer Reports' New Car Preview 2003, which is on newsstands. More detailed results and analysis, including results for Ford Motor Co., Honda Motor Co. and the Chrysler Group of DaimlerChrysler AG, will be published in the 2003 Annual Auto Issue in April.

The Saab 9-5, with above-average reliability, was one of the few bright spots for European brands. Ranking among the most reliable upscale sedans were the Lexus IS300 and the Acura TL.

The only BMW to show at least average reliability in the survey was the 5-series. The Volkswagen Golf and Jetta dropped below average, leaving the Passat as the only VW to maintain average reliability and remain a recommended model.

 

[vi edit]

The Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima and Subaru Impreza all dropped to average reliability

All completely new design too. I would also not consider rattles, squeeks, and loose trim a "reliability" problem, but a quality problem. I distinguish the two.

 

[MrBond]

Comedy "consumer reports is complete and utter bs that can't be trusted" post

😀

Good to see Chevy quality moving up too. Remember VI, the avalanch is a new design as well

 

The One You Ought To Avoid

 

[ElFenix]

that full sized SUV platform is a good one.

 

[BigSmooth]

Accidentally reposted this... don't feel like retyping all the links so cut & paste it is! 😛

http://thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=5495
http://www.autonews.com/news.cms?newsId=3866
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/021108/autos_reliability_1.html

CR released some preview data and apparently they've actually added a number of American vehicles to their "recommended" list this year, while downgrading some Japanese cars (they've been accused of bias against domestics in the past). The Camry, Altima, and Impreza were all downgraded to "average" reliability (but "average" is still enough to get CR's recommendation).

Also, German cars did quite poorly, it seems. No Mercedes is recommended, the Audi A4 apparently has "well below average" reliability and the Passat is the only VW that managed to even get "average".

Meanwhile, Hyundai has two recommended vehicles for the first time.

I don't like their methodology and the fact that they don't divulge their minimum sample size, etc., so I don't give them a lot of credibility, but CR is still influential with the general public.

Oh, and here's Toyota's response.

 

[Shantanu]

This is my favorite part (from the Detroit News):

Reliability ratings fell for redesigned versions of the Camry, Altima and Subaru Impreza, with consumers complaining about squeaks, rattles and interior trim parts that are prone to fall off

That's Jap build quality for you. LOL.

Cheers.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

The funny thing, in spite of the dropping quality of import brands, they'll continue to eat into the marketshare of domestic carmakers.

http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=00396352

 

[klah]

Are there any domestic cars on their recommended list?

 

[Vette73]

GM has been really good for relability for quite a good while now, BUT all auto insider agree it takes years for anybody to notice because of the Bias againt US cars (esp. GM), while Jap. cars get a positive Bias and takes years for anybody to notice any problems with them.

CR is just catching up as they use REAL people and their fealings about cars, are just catching up to see the General is alive and kicking.

As a mechanic I have been telling people this for a while, and after some of them bought Saturns, Chevys, etc.. they are now seeing they are good cars and a lot of the time a lot cheaper.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: klah
Are there any domestic cars on their recommended list?

ford makes cars!?! :Q

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

The Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima and Subaru Impreza all dropped to average reliability

All completely new design too. I would also not consider rattles, squeeks, and loose trim a "reliability" problem, but a quality problem. I distinguish the two.

Agreed.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: klah
Are there any domestic cars on their recommended list?

The Vibe was on there, which coincidentally was partnered with toyota, has toyota engines, and built in a factory along with other toyota vehicles.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: klah
Are there any domestic cars on their recommended list?

The Vibe was on there, which coincidentally was partnered with toyota, has toyota engines, and built in a factory along with other toyota vehicles.

Well another tid bit about this line is it was the line that the Corrlo and Prizm was made on, basicly the same car, BUT the Prizm had a slightly better record.

Also I think CR recommends the Chevy Impala right?

 

[vi edit]

Well another tid bit about this line is it was the line that the Corrlo and Prizm was made on, basicly the same car, BUT the Prizm had a slightly better record

It's my understanding that the Prizm is IDENTICAL to the corolla, it just has different badging. As for one being more "reliable" than the other, I think it goes to show that buyers of one brand are more picky than buyers of another.

Just my interpretation though.

 

[dullard]

All completely new design too. I would also not consider rattles, squeeks, and loose trim a "reliability" problem, but a quality problem. I distinguish the two.

Ding Ding! We have a winner.

Every redesign has always had a major drop in the Consumer Reports first reliability rating. That is since there are a few kinks to work out on a new design. It doesn't mean that the cars are any less reliable - they just have a few parts that don't quite fit right and they make a little noise. I haven't looked at the latest CR yet but I bet you there is a little asterisk after each of those*.

*saying that the data is based on a very limited sample and isn't very accurate until more people give responses.

 

[Shantanu]

Well in that case, enjoy your rattling, squeeking, clanking, sushi wagons. Maybe if you wish hard enough, those problems will magically fix themselves 🙂

It's rather pathetic that Toyota, etc. are having all these problems with their first year models. What do they tell customers when they bring their POS Camry's in to get repaired. "Well, what did you expect? It's a first year, chump." Given the way we've been treated by our Toyota dealer, it wouldn't suprise me at all. hehe. General Motors doesn't seem to be any having any troubles with their first year vehicles. In fact, most of their highest rated vehicles are new models.

Are there any domestic cars on their recommended list?

A number of American cars were recommended. Among them, the Buick Lesabre, Pontiac Vibe, Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable. I haven't seen the whole list, so I don't know all of them, but GM alone had "13 cars and trucks which were recommended". The only European car to get recommended was the Saab 9-5, which is also a GM product.

 

[iamwiz82]

i think everyone should realize that these surveys are flawed from the start. People buy imports with an expectation that NOTHING will occur. If the smallest things does(dash fastener breaks) they have to take it in and complain. Basically, they are whiners.

Myself, i let things like that go, since they are not worth my time. Some super glue and a rubber band will fix it. If something rattles, spray it with silicone lubricant and if that doesnt work, put some foam in it.

 

[Cfour]

Heh if Consumer Reports was praising imports, all of you people would be saying what an accurate survey it was and more proof that "Imports are better".... I love the way people post on these boards...

Tony

 

[BigSmooth]

Originally posted by: Shantanu
The only European car to get recommended was the Saab 9-5, which is also a GM product.

Not true, Volvo is European (and before you say "yeah, but it's owned by Ford" remember that Jaguar is as well and several Jaguars were ranked very poorly).
The BMW 5-Series and VW Passat are also mentioned as having made the list.

 

[LAUST]

A sample of the survey results, released late Thursday, elevated several GM vehicles to Consumer Reports' list of recommended vehicles - the Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban and Tahoe and the GMC Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL.

All the same vehicle, and I've always pointed out, ever since 96 (Vortech) GM trucks have been IMHO the best 1/2 ton's you can buy. 3/4 ton I'd toss up between em all cept in Tranny world, it's GM.

 

[prontospyder]

Nice showing by GM...looks like Bob Lutz's goal of having GM match the quality of Toyota/Honda in 2 years will come true.

But I'm very sure that the new Camrys and Altimas will still last 150K+ miles with no sweat despite the slightly lower rating. 🙂

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Cfour
Heh if Consumer Reports was praising imports, all of you people would be saying what an accurate survey it was and more proof that "Imports are better".... I love the way people post on these boards...

Tony

Yep, thats true. Everybody BUT mechanics say that. I do work on all Jap, American, and Euro cars and Euro is the worst, and Jap and American are about the same depends on the owner. BUT jap parts cost more, so I lean more to GM cars/trucks now.

 

[brtspears2]

GM cars and Hyundai's seem to run extremely well and smooth since the late 90's. Though they will both hold a label of "shame" for a while, which would keep many people far away.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
GM has been really good for relability for quite a good while now, BUT all auto insider agree it takes years for anybody to notice because of the Bias againt US cars (esp. GM), while Jap. cars get a positive Bias and takes years for anybody to notice any problems with them.

True dat.