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2007 Vehicle Dependability Study Results

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J.D. Power and Associates Names Award Recipients Based on Consumer Satisfaction with 2004 Model Year Vehicle Dependability
At 6 a.m., the shrill little alarm clock that you’ve threatened to throw out the window on so many Monday mornings demands your attention in its aggravating, incessant manner, dragging you, kicking and screaming, from spending the first ten-mil you just won in a dream Lotto drawing. Roused from slumber, you slam your palm on the shrill little alarm clock and begrudgingly roll out of bed to start the day. An hour later, showered, dressed, and with the kids in tow, you head out to the family car. Once everything is securely packed and your loved ones are secured by seat belts, you twist the key in the ignition. Nothing. You try again. Nada. You try one more time. Zippo. Next, the kids learn some new language.
Who has time for a car that isn’t dependable? Our harried lifestyles—gotta get here, gotta get there—demand that our choices in vehicles ensure the fewest breakdowns possible. Of course, it’s up to vehicle owners to maintain their vehicles properly because any car, truck, SUV, or van will break if basic maintenance is ignored. However, the fact remains that some makes and models perform better than others when it comes to long-term dependability.
Each year, the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS)SM surveys original owners of three-year-old vehicles about problems they have experienced in the prior 12 months. Our VDS is different from the J.D. Power and Associates 2004 Initial Quality Study (IQS)SM, which measures quality after the first 90 days of ownership when the vehicle is new. Rather, VDS surveys original owners of three-year-old vehicles about problems experienced during the year leading up to the survey. This year’s VDS is based upon responses from over 53,000 verified vehicle owners and, based on this consumer feedback, awards are given to top models in 19 vehicle segments.
Key findings of the 2007 Vehicle Dependability Study include:

• For the first time since 1993, Lexus is not alone as the top-ranked nameplate. This year, Buick ties with Lexus as the most dependable nameplate according to survey respondents. Cadillac, Mercury, and Honda round out the top five rank positions, respectively.
• Compared to last year’s study, the most improved nameplate in the 2007 Vehicle Dependability Study is Hummer. Note, however, that for 2007, VDS measures only the H2—the only Hummer model widely available for the 2004 model year. Audi, Jeep, Volvo, Subaru and Land Rover also make significant gains, though despite its improvement, Land Rover is still the lowest ranked brand in the study.
• Mazda’s dependability performance declined more than any other brand this year, mainly due to consumer-reported problems with the RX-8 sports car and Mazda 3 compact, the latter having replaced the high-scoring Protégé for 2004.
• The most improved model in the study is the Audi A6. The model that saw the largest decline is the Dodge Intrepid.
• In terms of new car sales, Japanese-branded models dominate the Detroit 3. But when it comes to dependability, models from General Motors and Ford receive the highest rankings in the midsize and large car segments, where the Crown Victoria and the Buick Century receive awards. Scion and Honda build the highest-ranked small cars, according to the study.
  
• In terms of new truck sales, the Detroit 3 dominate the Japanese nameplates. But when it comes to dependability, consumers say that Toyota Motor Corporation is building the highest-ranked pickups and multi-activity vehicles with the exception of the midsize MAV segment, in which the Oldsmobile Bravada ranks highest.
• Of the measured attributes in the study, consumer satisfaction with dependability in the areas of engines, and features and controls, show the greatest year-over-year gains. Satisfaction with interiors deteriorates a bit this year.
• A jump in initial quality as measured in the J.D. Power and Associates 2004 Initial Quality Study (IQS)SM is mirrored three years later in the 2007 Vehicle Dependability Study, showing that IQS is a good indicator of how a vehicle will perform with regard to long-term quality.

Regardless of whether or not you choose to purchase a vehicle rated highly by respondents to the 2007 Vehicle Dependability Study, when buying a used car, it’s always a good idea to:

• Run a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) check. A VIN check service such as Carfax can help you identify potential problems by reviewing the title and service history of a vehicle.
• Have an ASE-certified mechanic inspect the car. A qualified mechanic can find signs of abuse, previous repair work, accident damage or flood evidence better than most consumers can.
• Look for signs that the car was poorly maintained. People who don’t maintain their homes, yards or appearance with care are also unlikely to maintain their cars with care. Also, ask the owner to provide service records for the vehicle.
• All four tires should match in terms of brand, model, and size, and they should not show abnormal wear. The engine oil should be a clean amber color rather than a dirty brown or black. The condition of the seats, carpets, steering wheel and pedals should match what the odometer reads: the higher the mileage, the more evident the wear on these items. If you see lots of evidence of wear but low miles on the odometer, stay away!
• During the test drive, the car should be free of odd mechanical smells and sounds; burning smells, squealing sounds, and grinding during braking are serious warning signs. Also, the vehicle should not pull to one side, should not vibrate or shake when driving on the highway, and should not exhibit excessive suspension motion or bottoming out.

Read the bolded real, real close!