J.D. Power and Associates has released the results of their 2007 Initial Quality Survey. Porsche held the top spot with only 91 problems per 100 vehicles for the second time in a row. But it was Ford that made the biggest headlines.
The survey looks at both manufacturing defects and design defects in new cars that are reported by owners.
In the study Ford held the top spot in five of the categories. The Ford Mustang, Lincoln Mark LT, Lincoln MKZ, Mercury Milan and the Mazda MX-5 Miata all held the top spots in their categories (Don't forget that Mazda is partly owned by Ford).
All three of Ford's U.S. based brands (Ford, Lincoln and Mercury) placed above average.
The average car in the survey had 125 problems per 100 vehicles.
The top five brands (in order) were Porsche, Lexus, Lincoln, Honda and Mercedes-Benz.
Mercedes-Benz had the highest improvement out of any of the automakers this year. The automaker went from number 25 in 2006 to number 5 this year.
Honda had the fewest problems per 100 vehicles out of any of the non-premium brands. The automaker improved from sixth place in 2006 to fourth this year.
Full Story: CNN
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Top Ranked Vehicles:
Subcompact: Kia Rio/Rio5
Compact: Honda Civic
Compact Sporty: Mazda MX-5 Miata
Compact Premium Sporty: Porsche Boxster
Entry Premium: Lincoln MKZ
Midsized Premium: Mercedes-Benz E-class
Large Premium: Audi A8/Mercedes-Benz S-class
Premium Sporty: Mercedes-Benz SL-class
Midsized Sporty: Ford Mustang
Midsize: Mercury Milan
Large: Pontiac Grand Prix
Compact SUV: Honda CR-V
Midsize SUV: Toyota 4Runner
Large SUV: Toyota Sequoia
Midsize Premium SUV: Lexus RX
Large Premium SUV: Lincoln Mark LT
Large Pickup: Chevrolet Silverado Classic HD
Midsize Pickup: Toyota Tacoma
Van: Chevrolet Express
Comments (9)
Oh yeah!
Because of this I'm getting a Kia Rio!
All you Camry driving, pocket-protector dorks will be wishing you had a Rio when your Camry breaks down and you see me cruising by!
Posted by tgom | June 6, 2007 9:09 PM
Posted on June 6, 2007 21:09
They sure use the term "sporty" very loosely. They use it to describe the Mazda Maita. WOW. I am going to trade in my Dodge Ram for a Kia Rio AND a Mazda Maita, or i am not, one of the two...
Posted by jimbo | June 6, 2007 10:12 PM
Posted on June 6, 2007 22:12
Mazda Miata is really a sweeeeet ride! It looks very stunning and has impressive parts like its Mazda spoiler. But Mazda 3 and 6 also look equally stunning as it is.
Posted by mazbee | June 7, 2007 3:05 AM
Posted on June 7, 2007 03:05
Mazda Miata is really a sweeeeet ride! It looks very stunning and has impressive parts like its Mazda spoiler. But Mazda 3 and 6 also look equally stunning as it is.
Posted by mazbee | June 7, 2007 3:05 AM
Posted on June 7, 2007 03:05
Intial quality is nice and all, but I really think they should measure 100k quality.
I like it when a car at 100k miles still feels as solid as when it was new.
I hate it when they feel all loose, rattling parts, stuff has fallen off.
The whole initial quality thing is sort of joke IMO.
Our Honda had a little problem with the drink holder cover right when we picked it up. I suppose that would have failed JD powers little initial quality test? Whatever, it was fixed and the car has been rock solid ever since.
Posted by zippy | June 7, 2007 7:48 AM
Posted on June 7, 2007 07:48
I agree that initial quality ratings are overrated. If I buy a new car the thing better be absolutely perfect when I drive off the lot. If it's not, I'll bring it back until it is.
The 3 year rating means a little more to me, but I wish they would do 5 and 7 year ratings also.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/lexus-detroit-automakers-top-dependability-survey.html
What I think is interesting about the long term ratings is that Lincoln, Mercury, Cadillac, and Buick are all higher than Honda and Acura. But the quality mantra has been so drilled in to people's heads by Honda and Toyota that nobody even notices that they are not at the top anymore.
Posted by Darmok | June 7, 2007 9:36 AM
Posted on June 7, 2007 09:36
"What I think is interesting about the long term ratings is that Lincoln, Mercury, Cadillac, and Buick are all higher than Honda and Acura. But the quality mantra has been so drilled in to people's heads by Honda and Toyota that nobody even notices that they are not at the top anymore."
That's interesting. How do they measure long-term?
Because the brands you mentioned are likely to be owned by "old retired white people". And I'm sure they're easier on their car than the average younger family that owns an Accord or Camry = Kids to activities, more shopping, more trips more people in the car and everything else.
Posted by Noya | June 8, 2007 6:37 PM
Posted on June 8, 2007 18:37
Yeah all cars are nice brand new. Test these after 100k miles then you'll know what cars are made with actual quality parts.
Posted by Jonathan | August 11, 2007 5:50 PM
Posted on August 11, 2007 17:50
Yeah all cars are nice brand new. Test these after 100k miles then you'll know what cares are actual quality.
Posted by Jonathan | August 11, 2007 5:50 PM
Posted on August 11, 2007 17:50