2010 JD Power long-term reliability study (vehicles, 2013, best, buying)

[mustang84]

JD Power released the 2010 VDS, which tallies reliability for 2007 model year vehicles. The study is measured by problems per 100 vehicles. For example, Porsche's score of 110 means that vehicles on average had to have 1.1 major components replaced during the 3 year period. These major components are items such as engine, transmission, or suspension parts.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/18/p...-2010-vehicle/

For the numbers:
First number = problems per 100 vehicles
Second number = improvement or decline from the 2009 VDS problems per 100 vehicles (i.e. a -10 means the brand average was 10 fewer problems vs. 2009)
Third number = ranking improvement or decline

1. Porsche 110 [-40]; +10
2. Lincoln 114 [-33]; +6
3. Buick 115 [-7]; -2
4. Lexus 115 [-11]; -1
5. Mercury 121 [-13]; +0
6. Toyota 128 [-1]; -2
7. Honda 132 [-16]; +3
8. Ford 141 [-18]; +5
9. Mercedes 142 [-42]; +10
10. Acura 143 [-3]; -3
11. Hyundai 148 [-13]; +3
12. Cadillac 150 [+2]; -3
13. Infiniti 150 [+8]; -7
14. Subaru 155 [-7]; +1
15. Saab 158 [-68]; +17
16. Saturn 164 [-47]; +10
17. BMW 165 [-1]; +0
18. GMC 166 [-8]; +0
19. Chrysler 166 [+1]; -2
20. Kia 167 [-51]; +7
21. Volvo 167 [-19]; +1
22. HUMMER 169 [-52]; +8
23. Jaguar 175 [+53]; -22
24. Chevrolet 176 [-9]; -4
25. Nissan 180 [-19]; -2
26. Audi 182 [+23]; -14
27. Dodge 190 [-12]; -3
28. Pontiac 192 [-28]; +1
29. Mazda 195 [-32]; +4
30. Scion 201 [-21]; +1
31. Mitsubishi 202 [+17]; -10
32. MINI 203 [-2]; -7
33. Jeep 222 [+2]; -5
34. Volkswagen 225 [-35]; +2
35. Suzuki 253 [-10]; +1
36. Land Rover 255 [+17]; -1

Biggest improvers: Saab, HUMMER, Kia, Saturn, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Lincoln, Mazda
Declines (greatest to least): Jaguar, Audi, Mitsubishi, Land Rover, Infiniti, Jeep, Cadillac, Chrysler

For those that say there is still a huge reliability gap between Ford and Toyota and Honda, statistics have been proving otherwise. All three of Ford's core brands are now in the Top 8. Lincoln has pushed ahead of Lexus, while Mercury has pushed ahead of Toyota. There is only a 13 point spread between Ford, Toyota, and Honda, which makes them statistically equal if you factor in a margin of error.

Also, the JD Power VDS studies of the last few years point to reliability improvement across the board for all manufacturers. Even Land Rover, in last place, is still only 1.4 more problems per 100 vehicles than the best-ranked Porsche. Lemons are not being built on a widespread scale anymore.

[G.Costanza]

Ford is definitely improving; this is yet more evidence. However, it's still worth keeping in mind that the VDS is a 3-year study. We won't know until 2013 or 2017 whether the real long-term reliability gap has been narrowed.

[car54]

Wow...2007? That's eons ago!

So, good ole JD says most Fords are still running after three years....well, I guess that proves it!

[iTsLiKeAnEgG]

I dont think they will get much worse. This looks good so far.

[mustang84]

Here's another interesting one someone compiled...the JD VDS study from 2005 vs. 2010. The left rank and number is where the brand was in 2005, while the right rank and numbers are where they are in 2010. Hyundai Motor Company (Kia included) and Ford Motor Company have made the most significant gains, while Toyota and Honda have largely stayed in the same place. Lexus lost vaunted 1st place spot that it held for many years until upstaged by Buick last year. GM has improved in reliability, but not as quickly as some of the others.

Change||Change
2005 2010 in || in
Rank||Make ||PP100--PP100||Rank||PP100||Rank
1st ||Lexus ||139 --- 115|| 4th ||-24 ||-3
2nd ||Porsche ||149 --- 110|| 1st ||-39 ||+1
3rd ||Lincoln ||151 --- 114|| 2nd ||-37 ||+1
4th ||Buick ||163 --- 115|| 3rd || -48 ||+1
5th ||Cadillac ||175 --- 150|| 12th ||-25 ||-7
6th ||Infiniti ||178 --- 150|| 13th ||-28 ||-7
7th ||Toyota ||194 --- 128|| 6th ||-66 ||+1
8th ||Mercury ||195 --- 121|| 5th ||-74 ||+3
9th ||Honda ||201 --- 132|| 7th ||-69 ||+2
10th ||Acura ||203 --- 143|| 10th ||-60 ||+0
11th ||BMW ||225 --- 165|| 17th ||-60 ||-6
12th ||Ford ||231 --- 141|| 8th ||-90 ||+4
13th ||Chevrolet ||232 --- 176|| 24th ||-56 ||-11
14th ||Chrysler ||235 --- 166|| 19th ||-69 ||-5
15th ||Saturn ||240 --- 164|| 16th ||-76 ||-1
16th ||Oldsmobile ||242 --- Defunct
17th ||GMC ||245 --- 165|| 18th ||-80 ||-1
18th ||Pontiac ||245 --- 192|| 28th ||-53 ||-10
19th ||Mazda ||252 --- 195|| 29th ||-57 ||-10
20th ||Hyundai ||260 --- 148|| 11th ||-112 ||+9
21st ||Subaru ||260 --- 155|| 14th ||-105 ||+7
22nd||Volvo ||266 --- 167|| 21st ||-99 ||+1
23rd ||Jaguar ||268 --- 175|| 23rd ||-93 ||+0
24th ||Dodge ||273 --- 190|| 27th ||-83 ||-3
25th ||Nissan ||275 --- 180|| 25th ||-95 ||+0
26th ||Mitsubishi ||278 --- 202|| 31st ||-76 ||-5
27th ||Mercedes ||283 --- 142|| 9th ||-141 ||+18
28th ||Saab ||286 --- 158|| 15th ||-128 ||+13
29th ||Jeep ||289 --- 222|| 33rd ||-67 ||-4
30th ||Suzuki ||292 --- 253|| 35th ||-39 ||-5
31st ||Audi ||312 --- 182|| 26th ||-130 ||+5
32nd||Daewoo ||318 --- Defunct
33rd ||Isuzu ||331 --- Defunct
34th ||Volkswagen||335 --- 225|| 34th ||-110 ||+0
35th ||Mini ||383 --- 203|| 32nd ||-180 ||+3
36th ||Land Rover||395 --- 255|| 36th ||-140 ||+0
37th ||Kia ||397 --- 167|| 20th ||-230 ||+17
38th ||Hummer ||N/A --- 169|| 22nd ||xx ||xx

[Steve-o]

Proof's right there in the puddin', folks.

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Proof's right there in the puddin', folks.

But some people will still never accept it.

[car54]

Originally Posted by mustang84

....The study is measured by problems per 100 vehicles. For example, Porsche's score of 110 means that vehicles on average had to have 1.1 major components replaced during the 3 year period. These major components are items such as engine, transmission, or suspension parts....

That ^ doesn't make sense. First they say the study measured "problems" per 100 vehicles. But the "score" is based on how many engines and trannies blew up in the first three years. WTF?

I never had a domestic car blow an engine or tranny in the first three years....but I've had enough nagging "little" problems that I quit buying domestics.

Sorry, but to me, the fact that the original engine or tranny is still in the car after three years does't make the car "reliable"....

[Chadro77]

GMC did better then Chevrolet and quite a few of the vehicles are identical, funny.

On a much more terrifying note: Chrysler did better then Chevrolet????????


NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

[getmeoutofhere]

Originally Posted by car54

That ^ doesn't make sense. First they say the study measured "problems" per 100 vehicles. But the "score" is based on how many engines and trannies blew up in the first three years. WTF?

I never had a domestic car blow an engine or tranny in the first three years....but I've had enough nagging "little" problems that I quit buying domestics.

Sorry, but to me, the fact that the original engine or tranny is still in the car after three years does't make the car "reliable"....

Pretty much what I was going to write.