[Brett]

Sorry if this was already posted, but i found it pretty interesting.

Nameplate rankings

Scores show reported defects per 100 vehicles in first 90 days of ownership.
2003 NAMEPLATE IQS RANKING
Lexus 76
Cadillac 103
Infiniti 110
Acura 111
Buick 112
Mercury 113
Porsche 117
BMW 118
Toyota 121
Jaguar 122
Honda 128
Volvo 128
Chevrolet 130
Audi 132
Mercedes-Benz 132
Industry average 133
Oldsmobile 134
Chrysler 136
Ford 136
Dodge 137
Lincoln 139
Nissan 139
Pontiac 142
Hyundai 143
Volkswagen 143
GMC 144
Suzuki 144
Jeep 146
Subaru 146
Mazda 148
Mitsubishi 148
Saturn 158
Saab 160
Mini 166
Kia 168
Land Rover 190
Hummer 225
Note: Ranking excludes Isuzu due to insufficient sample. Scores are based on rounded PP100 figures.
Source: J.D. Power and Associates 2003 Initial Quality Study

 

[Devil_concours]

ouch lincoln rated worse than ford

 

[Brett]

ouch lincoln rated worse than ford

and Mercury blew them both away.

 

[kcnewell]

Cadillac's right up near the top....KIA's near the BOTTOM! What a GIANT surprise....

 

[BeelzeBob]

Wow.. Cadillac is second.. This is great news.. Are there any reports with lists like this for later periods of time?

Thanks for posting this up...

 

[elwesso]

And look who is right behind cadillac

Id also like to see reports after a longer period of time (say maybe a year)

 

[BeelzeBob]

The margin between Lexus and Cadillac (and everyone else) is ridiculous, though.. What the heck do THEY do that makes their cars stay together?

 

[Brett]

The margin between Lexus and Cadillac (and everyone else) is ridiculous, though.. What the heck do THEY do that makes their cars stay together?

I agree, of all the carmakers Lexus is the only one where mathematically, you may get a trouble free car. Doing the math on the rest you are almost guranteed to have some problem. Even though 1 car with 2 problems means there is one car with none.

I was originally showed this at a Lexus dealer last week, and he actually was Happy to see Cadillac near the top. He was like "well as you see Lexus is number one again...blah blah blah", then he said "but one surprise is Cadillac who looks to be back near the top where they should be"

 

[BeelzeBob]

That's cool. I'm sure that deep down - everyone in the U.S. wants to see Cadillac up on top...

 

[Ralph]

Why would Hummer be so bad, I mean they are GM also, and the military trusts them!

 

[HotRodSaint]

Why would Hummer be so bad, I mean they are GM also, and the military trusts them!

Because one of the survey questions is fuel mileage.

 

[Ralph]

I heard that Mercedes Benz's rating for quality slipped due to assembly in Alabama for their SUV's, is that the real reason?

 

[lev]

It is interesting that when some survey puts Cadillac at the bottom, most say it is anti-American, yet when surveys like this one come up, everyone's like: "a-ha, so Cadillacs ARE best"

Am I the only one detecting somewhat wishful thinking and seeing only what one wants to see.

Acura below Lexus or Cadillac? I will never believe that. Hondas are bullett proof, that is a known fact. Go to any Honda-Acura forum and compare with this one or GM forum.

To Ralph, I was shocked to find out about Hummer's bad reliability, too. Go to 570klif.com. That's a Dallas radio station. Find a host name Ed Wallace. Every Saturday he talks about all kinds of cars and trucks. He spoke very bad of Hummers.

Please don't any one twist this into me bashing Cadillacs. I drive one, thank you very much.

 

[Ralph]

Because one of the survey questions is fuel mileage.

I understand, but fuel mileage should not be reflective of overall quality IMO!

To Lev, It is interesting that different surveys place Cadillac at different levels of quality. Another thing similar I cannot understand is the fact that about 2 months ago I went to the NHTSA crash-test site, and at that time they rated a new 2003 Deville as 5 stars for frontal crash, and 4 stars for side-impact. NOW, I checked again a few days ago, and it is only 1 star for side impact!!?? What happend, why would this change? Is it because they are performing ongoing tests? Now I find it difficult to trust the so-called "expert" opinions of such things.

 

[HotRodSaint]

Now I find it difficult to trust the so-called "expert" opinions of such things.

Only 'Now' you do?

 

[BeelzeBob]

Yes, I believe that's true, Ralph. What's killing Mercedes is the SUV's.. They're not doing well.. The cars, for the most part, are okay. But, they're very expensive to maintain - and they do have lots of technology which breaks down - just like Cadillac..

I think being that this survey is for the first 90 days of ownership, it could be accurate. Why not? If I'm not mistaken, it's the parts that break down over time that are such a problem for Cadillac and other luxury vehicle makes...

 

[Elvis]

I've never questioned Honda or Acura quality. That's a given. They are GOLD on the re-sale market.

My problem right now is Acura design variety. The RL is a good shell to start with, but by now they should've put something better than a 3.5L V6, and they probably should've offered more variety in the suspension. That body style has been around since '96. I needs a facelift

 

[Ralph]

I've never questioned Honda or Acura quality. That's a given. They are GOLD on the re-sale market.

My problem right now is Acura design variety. The RL is a good shell to start with, but by now they should've put something better than a 3.5L V6, and they probably should've offered more variety in the suspension. That body style has been around since '96. I needs a facelift

What I don't like about Honda is the rubber timing belt that has to be changed at 65,000 miles! I know the quality is aces. Most other imports like Toyota and Nissan use a steel timing chain that is good for the life of the vehicle. I mean, around that high mileage, I would be concerned if I had to make a long trip and I did not get it changed.

 

[Ralph]

Only 'Now' you do?

Well, I can't always trust YOUR expert opinion now can I?

 

[BeelzeBob]

I thought everybody ditched timing chains for timing belts.. No?