J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study for 2023 Reveals Troubling Trends in the Automotive Industry
J.D. Power has released its Initial Quality Study for 2023, and the results are concerning. The study found that the automotive industry continues to struggle with quality control, with new-vehicle owners reporting an average of 192 problems per 100 vehicles. This is up from 180 a year earlier and 162 in 2021, indicating a downward trend in vehicular quality.
While some brands have improved their performance, many have fallen short of expectations. Surprisingly, Stellantis brands, including Alfa Romeo, and General Motors-owned nameplates performed better than expected. Other unexpected brands that managed to beat the industry average included Mini, Nissan, and all of the Korean brands. However, Toyota failed to beat the industry average, coming in right behind Mitsubishi.
One factor contributing to the decline in quality is the shift towards electronic everything. Drive-by-wire has become the norm, physical buttons are being replaced by touch screens, and bad software can render these features inoperable. While newer technologies often take time to become reliable, the industry is also trying to produce vehicles more cheaply as it embraces novel technologies and features.
The study found that cars boasting the latest technologies are becoming too complex, with more features leading to more potential problems. Newer powertrains focused on efficiency tend to be smaller and more complex than their predecessors, adding strain and complexity issues that engineering needs more time to remedy. Modern infotainment systems also offer a slew of new features that older systems lacked, all of which could go wrong.
Trick door handles and driver assistance features were among the most commonly noted problems by survey respondents. Recessed handles that pop out need to function perfectly every time, while vehicles that unlock themselves whenever a driver approaches must work flawlessly. Problems associated with lane departure warning/lane keeping assistance and forward collision warning/automatic emergency braking were also widely noted and saw their complaint frequency rise against 2022.
The automotive 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. The entire industry is suffering from a lapse in quality, and it needs to be addressed immediately.
In conclusion, J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study for 2023 reveals troubling trends in the automotive industry. While some brands have improved their performance, many have fallen short of expectations. The shift towards electronic everything has made vehicles more complex, leading to more potential problems. Trick door handles and driver assistance features were among the most commonly noted problems by survey respondents. The entire industry is suffering from a lapse in quality, and it needs to be addressed immediately.
