GM brands performed well in the latest J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study, with Buick, Cadillac and Chevrolet all ranked well above the industry average.
The J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study now in its 32nd year, measures the number of problems per 100 vehicles experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of three-year-old vehicles. It then uses this data to assign each vehicle brand a ‘PP100’ score, with a lower score reflecting a more reliable and less problem-prone vehicle.
The study asks survey respondents about 177 specific vehicle problems, which are grouped into eight major categories: audio/communication/entertainment/navigation (ACEN); engine/transmission; exterior; interior; features/controls/displays (FCD); driving experience; heating, ventilation and air conditioning; and seats. Because the study measures three-year old vehicles, the data from this year’s edition is based on the reliability of 2018 model year cars, trucks, crossovers and SUVs.
Leading the way among GM brands in this study are Buick and Cadillac, both of which experienced an average of 100 problems per 100 vehicles. Chevrolet lagged behind Buick and Cadillac with an average of 115 problems per 100 vehicles, although this was still well above the industry average 121 problems per 100 vehicles.
GMC was the poorest performing of the GM brands in this study. GMC owners reported an average of 143 problems per 100 vehicles, which placed it near the very bottom of the survey results.
The worst-performing brand in this study by far was Land Rover. Owners of the British marque’s vehicles experienced an average of 244 problems per 100 vehicles. This was significantly more than the next worst performing brand, Alfa Romeo, which experienced an average of 196 problems per 100 vehicles.
The top of the list, meanwhile, is populated by the usual suspects. Lexus leads the way with only 81 problems experienced per 100 vehicles, while Porsche was second with 86. Kia was the best-performing nonluxury brand with an average of 97 problems per 100 vehicles.
J.D. Power says that vehicles are becoming more reliable year-over-year and that is very uncommon for owners to experienced catastrophic mechanical failures with newer vehicles. That said, problems with regard to in-car entertainment and other technology remain, which continue to hamper some brands’ performance in the yearly Vehicle Dependability Study.
“Most owners aren’t experiencing their vehicles breaking down or falling apart but, for many, vehicle technology continues to function poorly or inconsistently,” concluded J.D. Power automotive vice president, Dave Sargent. “If an owner can’t rely on a system to work as they expect, it is also considered a lack of dependability. It affects their overall view of the vehicle and their likelihood of staying loyal to their automaker.”
Subscribe to GM Authority for more General Motors quality news, General Motors awards news and around-the-clock General Motors news coverage.
Comments
I wonder if most toyotas not having Android Auto or Apple Carplay are the biggest reason they are able to do so well. Both consumer reports and JD Power note that vehicle technology is the number 1 issue and I know we often have issues with Apple Carplay screwing up our stereo. Everytime we have issues it takes an iOS update to fix it. Not once has it been an issue on GMs part..
another factor here is that people who are not “car people” probably are not concerned or don’t understand many of the issues that may bother people who are more particular about their vehicles. There is no justification for difference between Dodge/Chrysler or Chev/GMC, so normal amount of variation in this data is probably as high as 25, so I would say there’s not a huge difference between most on this chart, other than Land Rover. The worst three brands on the list probably have the most picky owners as well.
I was about to comment on this. GMC is way down in the list despite sharing many attributes of Chevy. Seems rather confusing.
Cause of GMC difference: GMC doesn’t sell the Chevy models that reduce Chevy’s average problem count.
If you just count the platforms the GMC and Chevy both sell, you’d expect them to be the same.
If Chevy cars have less problems than the shared trucks, then the average is lower for Chevy
does anyone really pay attention to these reports or rankings? It seems like there is a new one every month by a different group – it’s quite confusing.
Yes. J.D. Power is the industry standard.
how does jd power make money? don’t automakers pay them so they could their surveys in advertising? that is why they have so many surveys/awards.
Ah, steve: The results from JDP are NOT from the manufacturers. The results are from surveys sent out to the owners. Last time I checked and the last time I filled out a JDP survey, GM had zero say-so in it. So your point is?
Any chance GM brings chevy cruze back to us market.i love my cruze
So much for German/European engineering and quality, look at the bottom five of the list almost exclusively European brands while Buick ,Caddy & Chevy enjoying the “high” life.
And yet somehow (I have zero idea how), Mazda ranked #1 with C.R. Maybe the owners filling out the JDP surveys on Mazda’s are seeing the same stuff I see here on a daily basis.
Anyhow, great news again for GM. Buick should be promoting this everywhere in advertising.
I have driven chevy,s for 40 years and all have great vehicles some of the best on the road you can have your imports I am sticking with chev!
Only Consumer Reports rankings seem to have an impact on the market amongst wannabe “educated consumers”.
Buick coming thisclose to Toyota is impressive for GM and, if they really want to grow Chevrolet, this much love must be given to the Bowtie. Chevrolet ranked beside Toyota ia a gamechanger!
Wow Honda isn’t doing well & I comprehend the alliance much more.
Any chance GM brings chevy cruze back to us market.i love my cruze
And yet, every Karen wants a Honda BeCaUsE tHeY aRe So DePeNdAbLe.