GMC Tops J.D. Power Mexico Dependability Study

General Motors’ premium GMC truck brand topped its segment in the recent J.D. Power 2021 Mexico Vehicle Dependability Study.

The J.D. Power Mexico Vehicle Dependability Study 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.

This year’s survey asked 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.

GMC was first among Premium brands in the study with 175 problems reported per 100 vehicles, or a PP100 score of 175. BMW was second with a score of 206, followed by Audi at 207. The segment average for Premium brands was 214, with Mercedes-Benz falling below this with a score of 244.

The study also ranked non-premium Mass Market brands, with Hyundai leading the way from Toyota and Suzuki with a score of 132. Non-premium vehicles typically experience fewer problems as they are less likely to be fitted with advanced powertrains and new technologies such as active safety systems and in-car entertainment systems.

Commonly cited problems in this year’s MExicoVDS study included a faded or worn-out steering wheel after only three years of use or less, along with exterior cosmetic problems. The industry average in the study was 201 problems per 100 vehicles, which is a sharp increase from 148 problems per 100 vehicles in 2019.

Brais Álvarez, account manager at J.D. Power de Mexico, said automakers can improve their reliability across the board, with the number of problems increasing across all categories it records data for this year.

“In fact, automakers can find areas to improve across all categories, with owners reporting an increasing number of problems in each of them in this year’s study,” he said. “Automakers need to focus on the more severe problems for owners as these will drive them to defect to other brands in the future if they’re not addressed.”

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