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J.D. Power Initial Quality Results Show GM Brands Slide In Rankings

J.D. Power has released its latest initial quality study and General Motors brands didn’t make out quite as well as previous years.

The initial quality study tallies problems reported by owners in the first 90 days of ownership. Problems can range from simple fixes to major issues. This year, Buick, Cadillac and GMC all fell in the rankings, while Chevrolet held tight.

Chevrolet tied with BMW and Hyundai for sixth place with 88 problems reported per 100 vehicles. Last year, Chevrolet remained at number six. However, Chevrolet sits above the industry average, which is 97 problems per 100 vehicles.

Buick snuck past the industry average at 13th place with 95 problems reported and GMC fell to 16th place with 99 problems reported, a slip from 12th place. Buick took seventh place last year. Cadillac also faltered with a 20th place finish, down from 17th last year.

Meanwhile, Ford made strides with a jump from 11th to fourth place in this year’s initial quality study, and Kia took first place for the second year in a row.

GM had a few bright spots in particular vehicle segments, however. The 2017 Chevrolet Sonic was deemed the best small car; the 2017 GMC Terrain was named best compact SUV and the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Silverado HD were named best light-duty and heavy-duty pickup, respectively.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. Reply
  2. There is no reason for GM not.to.dominate a la Toyota. I mostly.disregard rankings seeing as FCA always ranks last yet I’ve recently had great long-term rental experiences with 200 & 300.
    How is Ford #4 with that numb steering and road noise? Both Fusion and Focus belong in last place.

    Reply
    1. FCA is dead last all across the friggin board. Scope ConsumerReports.org for a wake up call on that mopar garbage.

      Reply
      1. Fan Boy

        Reply
  3. Since several years, I wait an improvement. Again, these results are disapointing! They will never manage to exceed the asian carmakers! If they want to avoid a next bailout, they should have to focus on the reliability and quality. It was the main reason for not selling Opel! Pitiful!

    Reply
  4. BY next year they will be on top again, these numbers go up and down. They have new models out there.

    Reply
  5. They have/ are working on there quality, I’ve notice every time j-d-power does one of there quality test, went a new car comes out there number’s drop, went these cars are out for a few years these number’s go back up.

    Reply
  6. Reports like these are sort term and are poor indicators of year to year progress or decline. So many variables involved.

    Long term they can give a little more clairity due to more info used.

    But these are great for marketing as the average person has no idea of what info is being used.

    I just got the Powes survey and dollar for my new vehicle. It had not one question on the truck but a ton on the info systems and some dealer education.

    I was disappointed not to get a more comprehensive study.

    Reply
  7. No excuse for Cadillac’s poor showing. For the crazy sticker prices on most of these models the quality should be top notch.

    Reply

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