Why Do Reliability Rankings Have Little To Do With Reliability?

Perhaps we’ve finally hit a point where the old ways actually are the best. Gizmo-centric problems seem more important than ever to J.D. Power and Associates in this year’s dependability ranking, which examined problems experienced over the last 12 months on three-year-old vehicles and highlighted electronic accessories as a major issue.

So, a car that has a rock-solid drivetrain still might not make the grade due to a wonky multimedia system. A good example of this was J.D. Power’s chosen pickup, the Ford F-150. While the Ford achieved top marks for the quality of its interior, exterior, and electrics, the Toyota Tundra possessed vastly superior powertrain reliability.

It’s a similar story with the minivan segment. While the Toyota Sienna was given the crown, the Chrysler Town & Country actually had fewer reported problems in every area except the powertrain — and even that was still rated above average. It makes you wonder how much of the long-term quality being tested here is influenced by J.D. Power’s initial quality categories, which it splits into separate mechanical and “design” groups.

TomM - 2/23/2017 3:52:05 PM

+2 Boost

Anyone who is swayed by these "polls" really should not be. The fact is - a poll question can be worded to get a desired outcome - even if that outcome is not real. Polls that depend on the MEMORY of those called - are worthless because the memory is equivalent to how much in dollars the inconvenience was - compared to the income of the person. When they actually publish the actual Poll questions along with the answers - then I will look - but then it still might show bias. Example - a Transmission replacement may be ONE thing - while a crooked License plate holder might also be one too.

This is not to say that the polls have no meaning at all - the cream will rise to the top and the dregs will fall to the bottom - but the difference between the two is likely to be a LOT less than the polls imply.

mpls - 2/23/2017 4:06:02 PM

+3 Boost

It all comes out in the wash, after 3 years the same kind of manufacturers come out top.

MrEE - 2/23/2017 7:12:46 PM

+4 Boost

You might say issues can relate to quality, manufacturing, or engineering, but problems are problems. I see this as good information and to be fairly consistent with other better surveys.

MDarringer - 2/23/2017 10:08:09 PM

+1 Boost

JD Power's "methodology" is not the least bit scientific.

PUGPROUD - 2/24/2017 9:00:06 AM

+1 Boost

These polls are sophisticated intimidation mechanisms developed to soak payments from manufacturers and service providers. JD Powers gets its input free from consumers and puts it out to the public free. Remember the old axiom "you get what you pay for." The manufacturers and other service providers JD Powers survey pick up the tab big time.

malba2367 - 2/24/2017 9:49:46 AM

+4 Boost

I trust consumer reports data much more than JD Power. CR does not accept advertising and is not beholden to any manufacturer...in fact they do not even allow manufacturers to use their name in advertising. From looking at all the reliability studies it is pretty evident that Lexus, Toyota and Buick are top of the heap, the fact that they are consistently at the top is meaningful...the other makes move up and down depending on the study.