- Aug 10, 2001
- 10,420
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EE Times
April 14, 2003 (11:18 a.m. EST)
PARK RIDGE, Ill. ? The reliability of electrical and electronic components and systems in Japanese-made vehicles is better than that of North American vehicles and far superior to that of European luxury cars, a new study contends. For designers of such systems and the automakers that design them in, the lesson appears to be threefold: Keep it simple, pay attention to detail and be scrupulous in tracking down the cause of failures.
The study, performed by the Consumers Union (Yonkers, N.Y.), finds that the reliability of microprocessors and electronic control modules has climbed steadily over the years but that wiring and electrical connector problems remain an Achilles' heel for many models.
...While electronics systems fared somewhat better in the survey, the testers concluded that for both electrical and electronic systems, the number of problems rises with complexity. Vehicles that offered more electrical and electronic features tended to spend more time in the garage, the study concludes.
The most troublesome systems, not surprisingly, were among the newest and most heavily marketed: on-board navigators, rear-seat entertainment modules and dashboard touchscreens.
The study places Honda, Acura and Toyota vehicles at the head of the electrical/electronics reliability list, while Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen models bring up the rear.
"If you look at the Japanese manufacturers, you see that their attention to detail and their willingness to examine failed parts pays off," said Champion. "The European carmakers, on the other hand, don't seem to be doing very well right now. Audi and Volkswagen are having a lot of problems with their electrical systems."
http://eet.com/sys/news/OEG20030414S0044
April 14, 2003 (11:18 a.m. EST)
PARK RIDGE, Ill. ? The reliability of electrical and electronic components and systems in Japanese-made vehicles is better than that of North American vehicles and far superior to that of European luxury cars, a new study contends. For designers of such systems and the automakers that design them in, the lesson appears to be threefold: Keep it simple, pay attention to detail and be scrupulous in tracking down the cause of failures.
The study, performed by the Consumers Union (Yonkers, N.Y.), finds that the reliability of microprocessors and electronic control modules has climbed steadily over the years but that wiring and electrical connector problems remain an Achilles' heel for many models.
...While electronics systems fared somewhat better in the survey, the testers concluded that for both electrical and electronic systems, the number of problems rises with complexity. Vehicles that offered more electrical and electronic features tended to spend more time in the garage, the study concludes.
The most troublesome systems, not surprisingly, were among the newest and most heavily marketed: on-board navigators, rear-seat entertainment modules and dashboard touchscreens.
The study places Honda, Acura and Toyota vehicles at the head of the electrical/electronics reliability list, while Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen models bring up the rear.
"If you look at the Japanese manufacturers, you see that their attention to detail and their willingness to examine failed parts pays off," said Champion. "The European carmakers, on the other hand, don't seem to be doing very well right now. Audi and Volkswagen are having a lot of problems with their electrical systems."
http://eet.com/sys/news/OEG20030414S0044
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