GMC brand vehicles ranked poorly in the J.D. Power 2024 Mexico Vehicle Dependability Study, which grades automakers based on problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) reported by study respondents. Since GMC is considered a luxury brand in Mexico, it’s lumped into the “Premium” category of the study.
In a reversal of stereotypes, the American truck brand is less dependable than the German luxury brands (with one exception). In premium brands, GMC got a score of 238 problems per 100 vehicles. This is significantly worse than the segment average score of 189. GMC just barely beat Audi’s score of 241 to be the second-least-dependable brand on the list. Mercedes-Benz got an outstanding score of 138, the lowest score in the whole study, and BMW scored 225.
In the 2023 version of the same study, GMC was at the very bottom of this list. However, its score has gotten even worse, going from 225 to 238. It only moved up in the rankings because Audi got an even higher score. In 2022, GMC got a worse-still score of 243, but it was very close to the segment average at the time.
“Despite more problems in some segments, the overall quality of vehicles manufactured in Mexico is now on par with North American levels of quality, as these vehicles require less frequent replacement of key components such as spark plugs and engine air filters,” said J.D. Power de Mexico senior director and country manager Gerardo Gomez said of the 2024 dependability study. “Additionally, electrified vehicles are giving owners fewer problems this year, which should help ease consumer concerns about reliability.”
One detail that stands out in the study is a record-high number of problems with Gen Z drivers. The youngest generation of car buyers saw a record high of 284 problems per 100 vehicles. The older the drivers, the fewer problems they had. One sticking point was with infotainment systems, which Gen Z experienced at a rate of 48 per 100 vehicles. “Because Gen Z owners represent the future of the auto industry, automakers would be wise to reassess whether their vehicles are meeting the unique desires and needs of this generation,” Gomez said.
Comments
Gen Z view a vehicle as a smart phone and mother on wheels. Maybe the Terrain should be rated against Apple and their indulgent doting moms.
Bmw and Mercedes more dependable? Certainly not in the case of the Middle East…
And electronics may be to blame…
Do they rank poorly because they are not bulletproof?
Literal sense? Maybe. Reliability wise- too much electronics is bringing their score down.