2023 J.D. Power quality study shows new vehicles ‘more problematic’

A recent J.D. Power study showed that "new vehicles are becoming more problematic."

In a statement, the company said that the number of problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) recorded on the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS) rose a record 30 PP100 during the past two years.

For the 2023 study, the industry average is 192 PP100 — 12 PP100 more compared to last year. 

To note, the same study in 2022 reflected an 18 PP100-increase over 2021 figures. A lower score would mean higher vehicle quality, the firm explained.

According to J.D. Power, the continuing decline in quality can be attributed to multiple factors like greater usage and penetration of technology; continued integration of known problematic audio systems into other new models; poor sounding horns; cup holders that don’t serve their purpose; and new models with 11 PP100 more than carryover models.

“The automotive industry is facing a wide range of quality problems, a phenomenon not seen in the 37-year history of the IQS,” J.D. Power Senior Director of Auto Benchmarking Frank Hanley said. 

"The industry is at a major crossroad and the path each manufacturer chooses is paramount for its future. From persistent problems carrying over from years past to an increase in new types of problems, today’s new vehicles are more complex—offering new and exciting technology—but not always satisfying owners,” it added.

The result of the latest US IQS (now on its 37th year) is based on the responses from 93,380 purchasers and lessees of new 2023 model-year vehicles who were surveyed early in the ownership period.

Fielded in February-May 2023, 223-question is organized into nine vehicle categories: infotainment; features, controls and displays; exterior; driving assistance; interior; powertrain; seats; driving experience; and climate.

According to J.D. Power, the largest year-over-year increase in the number of problems is in the features, controls and displays category (+3.2 PP100), followed by infotainment (+2.3 PP100). However, problems with driving experience are flat year over year.

Award winners

Further, the same report showed that Dodge got the highest overall ranking in initial quality (140 PP100), followed by Ram (141 PP100), Alfa Romeo (143 PP100), Buick (162 PP100), and Porsche (167 PP100).

The parent corporation receiving the most model-level honors is General Motors Company (seven awards). It is trailed by Hyundai Motor Group (five) and Toyota Motor Corporation (four). Among brands, Chevrolet and Kia receive the most segment awards (four).

Moreover, Toyota Motor Corporation’s Tahara Lexus, Japan, plant, which produces the IS, LS and NX, was bestowed with the Platinum Plant Quality Award. Plant quality awards are based solely on defects and malfunctions and exclude design-related problems.

General Motors Company’s manufacturing facility in San Luis, Potosi, Mexico, which produces the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain, receives the Gold Plant Quality Award for North/South America, while BMW AG’s plant in Born, Netherlands, which produces the Mini Cooper and Countryman, got the Gold Plant Quality Award for Europe and Africa.

Photos from J.D. Power Facebook page

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