Unusually for GM’s core brands, Cadillac got a low rating for dependability in the J.D. Power 2024 China Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which ranks brands based on problems per 100 vehicles, or PP100.
Owners from China reported 202 problems per hundred Cadillac vehicles, considerably more issues than the Premium segment’s average PP100 of 177.
Reported reliability of Cadillac vehicles appeared to drop sharply from last year as well. While still below average, Cadillac had a rating of 162 problems per hundred vehicles in 2023 according to Chinese owners. This year has seen the number rise by 40 problems, an approximate 25 percent increase from the previous figure.
Nevertheless, one of the luxury marque’s models achieved top three status in its segment, with fewer problems than most other vehicles of that type. The the Cadillac XT4 took second place in the Compact Premium SUV category, behind the first-place BMW X1 and ahead of the third-place Audi 2QL.
More problems were reported across the whole Chinese auto market for 2024. The study suggests decreasing reliability is caused by automakers rushing their new models to market with insufficient design and testing time, trying to keep abreast of a competitive, fast-moving car sector.
One of the major sources of problems was the infotainment system, a constant across many different brands and individual models. Among the biggest, most frequently encountered issues are failures of voice recognition, failure of various devices to successfully pair with the vehicle’s software, and touchscreens that fail to properly respond to the owner’s touch.
While Chinese brands are particularly hard-hit by reliability problems, which could be a problem as these vehicles “gradually enter international markets,” where “the long-term reliability of their products will also affect the resale value and new-vehicle sales in overseas markets,” according to Elvis Yang of J.D. Power China.
Yang also pointed out that “if owners’ experiences cannot be continually optimized through OTA updates, they are likely to experience dissatisfaction through comparison.” He said this highlights the fact that “the rapid iteration of technology features makes ‘timeless design’ in infotainment and driver assistance systems increasingly important.”
In all, a total of 33,317 people from China participated in the China VDS, providing feedback on problems with many different aspects of 44 different automotive brands.
Comments
That’s what you get when you crank them out so fast, they hardly make them to the oven.
Should have kept the 3.6 in the lineup
Computers on wheels.
No surprise the “wheels” aren’t the problem .
That should tell GM management something. Cars made in China are Crap. Chinese made cars don’t pass us Crash standards, Why is it then that Chinese customers only want US made cars.
Maybe it’s time Mary and her Merry Men focused their attention on the US market and upped their penetration here.
They could probably do that with attention to the Cadillac and Buick models that they gave over to China.
And, before small case “gm” is forgotten altogether, make more HYBRID models.
Spend more time competing with your USA Competitors!!!
**FYI, I am a lifelong Chevy ownner/enthusiast and just bought a 2025 Maverick because GM has no direct alternative offering an automatic transmission, Hybrid AWD vehicle that can be flat-towed.