The Chevrolet Corvette was the model with the fewest problems. Here’s how 33 vehicle brands ranked in J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study.
Do you find yourself driving down the road shouting at your Siri, stabbing at your touchscreen, or constantly drifting into the other lane?
You’re not alone. There were more problems with new cars this year than ever.
Thanks to the disruptions caused by the pandemic—problems like supply chain issues and record-high vehicle prices, initial vehicle quality has declined, according to J.D. Power’s most recent U.S. Initial Quality Study.
The study found that vehicle problems reached a record high in the 36 years that the research and data company has been conducting it. Compared with 2021 results, the industry experienced an 11% increase in the number of problems per 100 vehicles.
The study is based on responses from 84,165 purchasers and lessees of new 2022 model-year vehicles who were surveyed early in the ownership period. The survey consists of 223 questions asking about infotainment, vehicle features, controls and displays, vehicle exterior and interior, driving assistance, powertrain, seats, driving experience and climate.
The category with the largest number of problems was infotainment, with six of the top 10 issues being related to infotainment systems such as Apple (AAPL) – Get Apple Inc. Report CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, touchscreens, voice recognition systems, inconsistent audio volume, and not enough plugs or USB ports, J.D. Power said.
Problems with driver-assistance systems also increased over last year, with lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist proving to be the most problematic.
Owners of fully electric and plug-in hybrid cars also had more issues than those of gas-powered cars. EVs averaged 240 problems per 100 vehicles and plug-in hybrids averaged 239 problems per 100 vehicles, while gas cars averaged 175.
The study is designed to help manufacturers with product improvement and was fielded from February through May 2022.
Mass market vehicles had fewer problems than luxury vehicles, however, luxury vehicles do tend to have more technology. Genesis is the luxury brand that scored the best, with an average of 156 problems per 100 vehicles.
This is the first time Tesla Motors (TSLA) – Get Tesla Inc. Report was included in the study. Tesla received an unofficial score of 226 problems per 100 vehicles, based on limited data available. With that it would rank No. 28 alongside Mitsubishi among the six worst, but because Tesla does not allow J.D. Power access to owner information in states where permission is required by law, the data was incomplete, so it was not included in the ranking.
Polestar (PSNY) – Get Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC Class A ADS Report, the Swedish EV company that recently went public via SPAC, was given an asterisked 328 problems per 100, but the brand was also excluded from the ranking for not meeting the study criteria.
Buick, owned by General Motors (GM) – Get General Motors Company Report, is the highest-ranking brand with the fewest problems; Buick scored 139 problems per 100 vehicles.
The Chevrolet Corvette was the model with the fewest problems at just 101. Chevrolet is also owned by GM.
Here are the results from J.D. Power, with the brands that had the fewest problems ranking first.
1. Buick
Problems per 100 vehicles: 139
2. Dodge
Problems per 100 vehicles: 143
3. Chevrolet
Problems per 100 vehicles: 147
Chevrolet
4. Genesis
Problems per 100 vehicles: 156
Genesis ranks highest among the premium brands.
5. Kia
Problems per 100 vehicles: 156
6. Lexus
Problems per 100 vehicles: 157
Lexus
7. GMC
Problems per 100 vehicles: 162
GMC
8. Cadillac
Problems per 100 vehicles: 163
9. BMW
Problems per 100 vehicles: 165
10. Ford
Problems per 100 vehicles: 167
11. Lincoln
Problems per 100 vehicles: 167
Lincoln
12. Nissan
Problems per 100 vehicles: 167
Nissan
13. MINI
Problems per 100 vehicles: 168
Mini USA
14. Toyota
Problems per 100 vehicles: 172
Toyota
15. Mazda
Problems per 100 vehicles: 180 (industry average)
16. Honda
Problems per 100 vehicles: 183
17. Hyundai
Problems per 100 vehicles: 185
18. Ram
Problems per 100 vehicles: 186
Ram
19. Mercedes-Benz
Problems per 100 vehicles: 189
20. Subaru
Problems per 100 vehicles: 191
Subaru
21. Acura
Problems per 100 vehicles: 192
22. Land Rover
Problems per 100 vehicles: 193
23. Jeep
Problems per 100 vehicles: 199
24. Porsche
Problems per 100 vehicles: 200
Porsche
25. Infiniti
Problems per 100 vehicles: 204
26. Jaguar
Problems per 100 vehicles: 210
Jaguar USA
27. Alfa Romeo
Problems per 100 vehicles: 211
Alfa Romeo
28. Mitsubishi
Problems per 100 vehicles: 226
Mitsubishi
29. Volkswagen
Problems per 100 vehicles: 230
Volkswagen
30. Audi
Problems per 100 vehicles: 239
31. Maserati
Problems per 100 vehicles: 255
Maserati
32. Volvo
Problems per 100 vehicles: 256
33. Chrysler
Problems per 100 vehicles: 265
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