Earlier this year, JD Power came out with its annual Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which evaluates the performance of domestic and foreign vehicles currently on the road (from 2014). The study, which is in its 28th year, reviews and analyzes performance issues reported by the original vehicle owners from the past year. For 2017, the study ranked luxury automakers Lexus and Porsche at the top of the pack.
Though it isn’t without its critics, the JD Power VDS rank is highly regarded by the automotive industry and consumers. It is a good benchmark to consider if you are in the market for a new or used car. It helps take vehicle performance, reliability and auto repair into consideration so you the consumer can be more educated and informed about buying a car.
Dependability and Reliability Are Key Metrics in the Report
For its analysis, JD Power has thoroughly defined quality and reliability, terms that are often loosely thrown around in the industry. It rates them in part by the total number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles. In this way, vehicle models with the lowest score would have the highest ranking in terms of quality or reliability. The study looks at a wide range of auto repair and other problems and has them grouped into eight major categories.
Toyotas May Need Less Frequent Auto Repair Due to High Reliability
The Ford F-150 and the Toyota Camry ranked as some of the most reliable vehicles in their class according to these metrics. In all non luxury vehicle categories, Toyota vehicles ranked the highest for reliability and had the highest residual value. This can save car owners money in terms of Toyota auto repair. It also means that the dollars they invest go much further.
Following Toyota in terms of vehicle reliability were Buick and Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Korean automaker Hyundai was recognized for “most improved” jumping to sixth position from a lowly nineteenth.
If you are shopping for luxury model vehicles, Lexus has topped the JD Power reliability charts for six years in a row. As such, owning a Lexus may mean fewer trips to your local auto repair shop and more savings in terms of auto repair costs.
Italian car manufacturer Fiat found itself in lonely, very-last place ranking 298. This means reliability metrics were exceedingly low, and vehicle drivers reported an abundancy of problems and auto repair. In other words, if you like visiting auto repair shops, then consider driving a Fiat. The very distant, second worst place vehicle (Jeep) was ranked at 209.
New Tech Categories Present More Auto Repair Problems
An interesting finding from the JD Power study has to do with new auto repair areas or categories. As has been the case in recent years, Audio / Communication / Entertainment / Navigation (ACEN) and other tech related categories are where the bulk of the auto repair and related problems have been reported.
Rather than transmission repair problems or cooling system malfunctions, most of the complaints owners are reporting about their vehicles have to do with their advanced technology system issues. This finding has led some automotive industry experts to criticize the overall analysis and reporting of the JD Power study. It begs the question: As cars become more like fully computerized, living rooms on wheels rather than transportation vehicles, how should automotive repair and performance be examined?
Are all Automotive Repairs Equal?
For instance, a reoccurring automotive repair related to the transmission or cooling system is certainly more
