Top 10 Least Dependable Automakers
J.D. Power just released the results of its 2015 Vehicle Dependability Study. Plenty of automakers deserve praise, but others, well, not so much…
This closely watched and highly anticipated report is full of useful information. Aside from highlighting the most reliable models in different market segments it also ranks car companies based on problems per 100 vehicles.
SEE ALSO: Top 10 Most Reliable Car Brands
Their survey monitors dependability after three years of service, meaning cars and trucks from the 2012 model year are highlighted in this report, which is comprised of responses from some 34,000 original owners.
We’ve already shared the best brands on this list, now it’s time to dredge the bottom. Here are the worst-performing automakers in J.D. Power’s latest VDS.
10. Volkswagen
VW is the least worst on this list of under-performing automakers. The people’s car brand averaged 165 problems per 100 vehicles. That score exceeds the industry average of 147 by a fair amount. This is a slight degradation compared to last year’s performance, which measured a more respectable 158.
9. Chrysler
Historically Chrysler has NOT been known for quality and this unfortunate tradition continues. The Pentastar brand posted a score of 173, appreciably worse than the 155 is earned last year. What’s going on in Auburn Hills? The company’s Ram brand did the best of all Fiat-Chrysler divisions, beating the industry average with a score of 134. Apparently they’re unable to spread that success across the company.
8. Volvo
Falling behind Chrysler by one point is Volvo, everyone’s favorite Swedish/Chinese car company. The brand averaged 174 problems per 100 vehicles, worse than its score of 152 from last year’s survey.
7. Ford
Ford posted a disappointing score of 188 problems per 100 vehicles, which means it’s fallen behind the industry average by 41. Especially troubling is that it’s doing even worse than it did last year. In 2014 the blue-oval brand measured 140.
6. Hyundai
Remember, that’s Hyundai like depression … sorry, Hyundai like Sunday. This South Korean automaker tied Ford, eking out a final tally of 188 problems per 100 vehicles. In last year’s Vehicle Dependability Study it scored 169.
5. Dodge
Another Chrysler brand with substandard quality? Say it ain’t so! Dodge drove away with a rating 192, worse than it did last year when it got a 181 from J.D. Power, though its decline is not as bad as those posted by some rivals.
4. MINI
Trailing Dodge by just one point is MINI. In J.D. Power’s 2015 dependability study they earned a score of 193 problems per 100 vehicles. Aside from being perilously close to the 200 mark this performance also means that just three brands did worse. How is it that BMW, their parent company, did better than average yet MINI is in the basement? Do these separate divisions talk to each other? Apparently not.
3. Jeep
Without question Jeep is one of the most fashionable automotive brands in the America right now. It seems like every month this division’s sales grow by greater and greater amounts. Regrettably, in spite of this building momentum their reliability is quite lacking. In this latest Vehicle Dependability Study Jeep posted a score of 197 problems per 100 vehicles. It didn’t do well last year, either, earning a score of 178.
2. Land Rover
Jeep’s performance may have been disappointing but at least they kept things south of 200. The same can’t be said of Land Rover, which posted a whopping score of 258! That’s a jump of 61 compared to Jeep, but it’s not the worst automotive brand in the 2015 Vehicle Dependability Study, oh no.
1. Fiat
That honor, rather dishonor, goes to Fiat, which posted a score of 273. That’s like saying every new car they sell has three defects that require attention! That figure is also almost double the industry average. Clearly this Italian brand has work to do.
Born and raised in metro Detroit, Craig was steeped in mechanics from childhood. He feels as much at home with a wrench or welding gun in his hand as he does behind the wheel or in front of a camera. Putting his Bachelor's Degree in Journalism to good use, he's always pumping out videos, reviews, and features for AutoGuide.com. When the workday is over, he can be found out driving his fully restored 1936 Ford V8 sedan. Craig has covered the automotive industry full time for more than 10 years and is a member of the Automotive Press Association (APA) and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA).
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FIAT Fix It Again, Tony Some things never change
JD Powers is wrong they get paid to bring cars up to look like they are better its what the car company's pay. I worked for a company in Detroit that was paid by Ford to get a better score from JD Powers.