New-Vehicle Quality Worsens: J.D. Power Survey
According to J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Initial Quality Study, new-vehicle quality continues to decline, with a record number of vehicle problems reported this year. The study, based on responses from 93,380 buyers and lessees of new 2023 model-year vehicles, found that owners reported an average of 192 problems per 100 vehicles, up from 180 a year earlier and 162 in 2021. The rise in problems can be attributed to technology’s prevalence, which creates more opportunities for issues to arise, and basic vehicle functions, such as the ease of opening doors. The study found that 12 of 33 brands ranked in the study improved vehicle quality in 2023 compared with 2022, with Dodge, Ram, Alfa Romeo, Porsche, Maserati, Jaguar, Subaru, Jeep, Mitsubishi, Audi, Chrysler, and Volvo ranking the highest. Ford Motor Co.’s brands experienced the largest year-over-year decline in initial quality, while Toyota fell eight spots to No. 22, dropping below the industry average. EVs, with 260 problems per 100 vehicles, also performed more poorly than gasoline-powered vehicles, which had 181, according to the survey.
J.D. Power surveys vehicle buyers and lessees about their vehicle’s infotainment system, features, controls and displays, exterior, interior, driver-assist technologies, powertrain, seats, climate system, and driving experience. None of the areas studied saw an improvement in quality compared with 2022. Door handles have become harder to open, particularly on electric vehicles, as automakers redesign them with a nod toward aerodynamics. Consumers also reported more problems than a year ago with advanced driver-assist technologies, such as lane-departure and forward collision warnings. To reverse the decline in quality, J.D. Power suggests that automakers should consider real-world usage of features and ensure they are customer-friendly.
