Automakers Ranked by Initial Vehicle Quality: J.D. Power Study

The Big Three Shine, EVs Struggle

DETROIT — The "Big Three" U.S. automakers ranked high in the respected J.D. Power 2024 Initial Quality Study. Ram, Chevrolet, and Ford led the way for the Americans, while Porsche, Lexus, and Genesis topped the premium brand rankings.

The study objectively assesses the industry and uses a "problems per 100 vehicles" metric, with franchise dealership repair data and customer feedback. The industry average was 195 problems per 100 vehicles, a slight decline from 2023 (192).

Key Takeaways:

• Ram, Chevrolet, and Hyundai are the top three brands for quality, with scores of 149, 160, and 162 respectively.
• Porsche, Lexus, and Genesis lead the premium brands with scores of 172, 174, and 184.
• General Motors had the most model-level awards with six, but only Chevrolet and Buick ranked above industry average.
• Chevrolet won the most segment awards (4), followed by Lexus (3).
• Electric vehicles struggled with quality, with Polestar, Tesla, and Rivian scoring poorly (316, 266, and 266, respectively).
• Issues with technology and features were common, with customers confused by false warnings and frustrated by Android/Apple connectivity.
• Unpleasant interior smells increased across brands, except Kia and Nissan, likely from HVAC systems.

Full Study Results: J.D. Power

"Owners of cutting-edge, tech-filled vehicles ... are experiencing problems ... at a rate three times higher than that of gas-powered vehicle owners," said Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power.

The study's link to executive bonuses makes these results highly influential in the industry. With technology a key differentiator, automakers must balance innovation with quality to ensure customer satisfaction.