Buick models overall have considerably fewer problems per hundred vehicles (PP100) than average among mass-market automotive brands sold in China, per the J.D. Power 2024 China Vehicle Dependability Study or VDS.
According to the China VDS, Buick vehicles have 183 problems per hundred vehicles, which averaged 193 problems across the whole segment for 2024.
Buick vehicles actually had more problems in 2024 than they did in 2023, with 183 PP100 versus 175 PP100 during the previous year. However, quality suffered across the board, with almost all brands seeing more problems in the newest model year, so Buick kept its fifth-place position in both 2023 and 2024.
The Tri-Shield brand came in behind FAW Toyota – the winner with 154 PP100 – GAC Honda, Changan Ford, and GAC Toyota. Volkswagen, which beat Buick in last year’s China VDS, is now four places below it with 189 problems per hundred, though still above mass-market average.
J.D. Power fingers a highly competitive market in which new models are rushed into the showroom after abbreviated development and testing as the prime suspect in the rising number of reported new-car problems. J.D. Power China manager Elvis Yang said that “the pace of new model launches in the Chinese market has accelerated and development cycles have continuously shortened.”
Yang remarked that “balancing the speed of new model launches with high product reliability and durability will be a critical long-term challenge.” Infotainment systems are currently the area of vehicle design with the most problems, including unresponsive touchscreens, difficulties with pairing devices, and non-recognition of voice commands. However, powertrains are also generating significant negative feedback, especially for two to three year old vehicles.
Turning to individual vehicle models across various body styles, one Buick model made it to the top three in its category. The Buick LaCrosse ranked third in the Mid-Size Upper Car category, behind the Ford Mondeo and the Toyota Avalon. The LaCrosse, which was discontinued for the North American market during the 2019 model year, is now in its fourth generation in China.
The J.D. Power study using information provided by owners about 229 different models and 44 brands to find the least problematic nameplates in China, with 33,317 vehicle owners participating.
Equinox EV leads the charge.
The return of time-trial based qualifying.
No other incentives offered on mid-engine high-performance sports car.
A 44 percent segment share is nothing to sneeze at.
Supply issues hit carbon aero and wheel options.
View Comments
Buick means quality, worldwide. Nice going GM! Keep it up, and bring that awesome Lacrosse and GL8 here.