Well, well, well.

[MN-Ram]

All vehicles have their issues. GM got smacked recently for ignoring and even covering up a known issue related to their ignition switch being too easy to shut off, and it shut off on several vehicles causing the steering wheels to lock. That resulted in numerous accidents, and about a dozen deaths.

Ram had an issue with their front end needing a part replaced to prevent the operator from losing control. They couldn't/wouldn't get the parts fast enough to remedy the repair, so the forced buy back was implemented at the customers' discression.

Ford had issues in the '90's with the Explorers rolling over, and they passed the blame onto Firestone. In reality it was most likely a problem with people not monitoring their tire pressure in combination with the overly soft suspension in the Explorer that caused the problem.

Bottom line is EVERY manufacturer has had some problem at some point. Buy what you like, maintain it, and use it. To hell with opinions, they are like assholes, everyone has one.

 

[maclean]

I've owned enough vehicles to expect the odd issue.

The dealer called me last evening to report the BCM was installed, but now they need a new connector.

Good thing I'm stuck on a 72 at work and don't need the truck.

 

[Hootbro]

So Chevy beat Ram by 4 pts in your JD Power scale. And GMC beat Chevy by 5 pts. How is it that Honda & Toyota have always been at the top, but they have both experienced unprecidented issues in the past 5 yrs? Its all marketing dude. Don't believe the hype bro.

The buyback recall data only affects vehicles from 2012 or earlier. And its because of parts delays to complete the work, not the number of vehicle failures. If that were the case VW and Toyota would be out of business.

Please sell your Ram and move on.

JD Powers initial and long term quality surveys are not hype. The problem lies in the data actually being reported and how it is weighed.

The main problem with JD Powers is that ALL defects no matter how great or small that are reported, all weigh equally. The main problem within the last 5 years or so that has weighed down the domestics, is the buggy "Infotainment" systems or not ready for prime time accessories like park assist and other electronic oriented niceties but not mechanical necessities like engine and drivetrain issues.

So while the imports have take some serious big hits on mechanical issues, scoring on JD powers and domestics with buggy electronics has dragged them down in overall scoring.

Last thing to keep in mind and perspective is that across both domestics and import brands, quality has improved vastly compared to 10-15 years ago and the small point margins between either import or domestic are just statistical ticky tacky points of arguments

 

[RoadDog66]

Last thing to keep in mind and perspective is that across both domestics and import brands, quality has improved vastly compared to 10-15 years ago and the small point margins between either import or domestic are just statistical ticky tacky points of arguments

I definitely agree here. And while there are several "impartial" media sources out there I am too big of a conspiracy theorist to believe that none have been swayed, enticed, or lets just throw it out there...bribed, to rate some makes/models higher on these lists. JMHO

 

[Hootbro]

I definitely agree here. And while there are several "impartial" media sources out there I am too big of a conspiracy theorist to believe that none have been swayed, enticed, or lets just throw it out there...bribed, to rate some makes/models higher on these lists. JMHO

The fallacy of conspiracies is you have to bridge a known point of fact to a suspected outcome with made up **** in between that is not proven factual. Guessing and "thinking" something does not make it any more factual.

JD Powers is not a "media" source but a market research company. While known for their automotive surveys, they are contracted by many other companies for market research with the vast majority of research reported to said companies for internal dissemination and never know publicly. Fortune 500 companies rely on their data be factual regardless of where it lands. JD powers would implode as a company if any hint of bribery or purposeful inaccurate data was published.

Knowing there methodology puts things into perspective. As with any survey data, the range and criteria can skew or influence an outcome and not paint the whole picture.

People do not like unpleasant news, especially when their fan base brand is not doing well. So it is easier to attack and discount the data rather than understand the data.

 

[Core-Lokt]

So Chevy beat Ram by 4 pts in your JD Power scale. And GMC beat Chevy by 5 pts. How is it that Honda & Toyota have always been at the top, but they have both experienced unprecidented issues in the past 5 yrs? Its all marketing dude. Don't believe the hype bro.

The buyback recall data only affects vehicles from 2012 or earlier. And its because of parts delays to complete the work, not the number of vehicle failures. If that were the case VW and Toyota would be out of business.

Please sell your Ram and move on.

Agreed. I think J.D. Power surveys are worthless. They have all kinds of arcane metrics for awards; take "best initial quality in a mid-size sedan". Well, they've fractured (somewhat understandably) cars into so many segments to award as many trophies as possible. On top of that, "best initial quality" is meaningless. For one thing, everybody is proud of their new vehicle. Saying it's junk makes them look stupid for buying it. I want to know long term quality.And how is J.D. Power funded? Somewhere, someway there is money from manufacturers flowing to them in a circle-jerk.

I read Motor Trend bases their awards on how much advertising a company intends to spend next year. Do the research but don't put blind faith in those whose employment is contingent upon the good graces of the makers of the products they review. And even if Consumer Reports buys their test products, they lost credibility with their ~105% rating of a Tesla, just to pan it about three months later.