Surprisingly, Ram ranks highest in overall Initial Quality Study; Porsche tops ranks among premium brands. Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – June 27, 2024 Problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) or Initial Quality Study (IQS) is J.D. Power’s key to automotive notoriety and in this year’s project survey, results continue to show BEVs near the bottom of the list overall. A lower score reflects higher vehicle quality and according to J.D. Power, this year’s industry average is 195 PP100 with premium brands averaging 232 PP100. The company made it clear that BEV supporters believe they should be far less problematic and require fewer repairs than gas-powered vehicles since they have fewer parts and systems. Repair data however shows BEVs and PHEVs require up to 3 times more critical repairs than gas-powered vehicles in all repair categories. That one continues to hurt my own penchant to see less fuel consumed globally and emissions curtailed. My own 2021 Toyota Prius Prime continues to buck the trend with no repairs or unusual maintenance outside of fluids and tires in its first 250k miles of service. According to J.D Power, Gas- and diesel-powered vehicles averaged 180 PP100 this year, while BEVs are 86 points higher at 266 PP100. While there are no notable improvements in BEV quality this year, the gap between Tesla’s BEV quality and that of traditional OEMs’ BEV quality has closed, with both now averaging 266 PP100. Tesla has insisted on the removal of traditional feature controls, such as turn signals and wiper stalks, and this has not been well received by Tesla buyers. 2024 IQS Key Findings New safety technology warnings like the rear seat reminder contributed to a 1.7 PP100 decline across the industry. Advanced driver assistance systems are also irritating vehicle owners with inaccurate and annoying alerts from rear cross traffic warning and reverse automatic emergency braking features. On the infotainment front, problems with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay continue as the applications remain as one of the top 10 problems. Customers frequently experience difficulties connecting to their vehicle or losing connection. More than 50% of Apple users and 42% of Samsung users access their respective feature every time they drive, and connectivity is a mandatory requirement every time whether wireless or wired. Controls and displays are the second most problematic category with simple functions like windshield wipers and rear-view mirrors plus OEM smartphone applications which were particularly troublesome in EVs. The PP100 incidence in this category is more than 30% higher in EVs than in gas-powered vehicles. Another problem that is increasingly prevalent is an unpleasant interior smell. Problem odors are described by owners to be emanating from their vehicle’s HVAC systems. The U.S. IQS is based on responses from 99,144 purchasers and lessees of new 2024 model-year vehicles who were surveyed after 90 days of ownership. For the first time, the study additionally incorporates repair visit data based on hundreds of thousands of real-world events reported to franchised new-vehicle dealers. Highest and Lowest Ranked Brands and Models Surprisingly, Ram is the highest-ranking brand overall in initial quality with a score of 149 PP100. Among mass market brands, Chevrolet (160 PP100) ranks second and Hyundai (162 PP100) ranks third. Along the bottom, VW (241 PP100), Audi and Volvo (242 PP100), and Dodge at (301 PP100) have been proven to be problematic right out of the dealership showroom. On the all-electric front, quality continues to be an aspiration vs reality with Rivian and Tesla (266 PP100) and Polestar (316 PP100) clearly at the bottom of the rankings. Among premium brands, Porsche ranks highest with a score of 172 PP100. Lexus (174 PP100) ranks second and Genesis (184 PP100) ranks third.
Thank you for all this good information. I want an EV very badly, as everyone here knows. The Chevy Bolt is almost ideal for my wants. Bill pointed out to me that my Washington state will have a starting short-term program in August to assist lower income people to gain admission to the EV crowd. Thank you very very much Bill. My desire to get an EV since 2006, may finally be accomplished! As for the car, chevybolt.org is in agreement with your posted article. Many Bolt owners defend their cars strongly in the website, altho areas also in the website, declare other owners have problems with the Bolt. Altho one Chevy dealer fairly far from me does have a few 2023 Bolts remaining that I may be able to actually afford with all the gov't help, my local Chevy dealer, 2 miles away could be my choice for any vehicle repairs. I believe many problems with the Bolt that I have read about, are due to owners not driving & charging the Bolt properly. EV technology, especially with the batteries, are still baby technology, but EV owners are not treating their cars as if they were babies, stressing the EVs terrribly. I shall NOT do such in hopes I can eventually get 300,000 miles on MY FUTURE BOLT. HERE'S TO THE FUTURE. ///////// Now Wayne. The Washington program may allow as much as $9000 to lease an EV for 3 years or $5000 for out-right purchase. I've never leased a car before & wonder which monetary assistance program would be best. Do you have any information about leasing, as compared to purchasing? One Chevy salesman, who seemed to know & care about my situation, thought that out-right purchase would be a better decision, despite the extra $4000 help to lease. Thank you, Wayne.
It depends on the money factor for the lease. Multiply it by 2400 to get the APR. Compare it to the APR you'd qualify for based on your income and fico. Then compare capitalized cost vs residual and figure lease payment vs loan payment. If your state charges sales tax on EVs (the state of NJ, for example, does not), check if a lease requires all sales tax paid up front or if you're only paying sales tax on the portion of the vehicle you are leasing. Remember if you plan on keeping the car, you will need to finance the residual when the lease ends, and used car loans are a point or two higher than new car loans. The rate you get depends on income and fico, and used car loans don't go for more than 72 months, and the 72 month loan is good for a lower payment but bad for the overall interest charge, which can be crazy on double digit car loans. There are online calculators available to compare lease versus purchase. The 9000/5000 offered for the Bolt would be counted as a 'down payment' since it reduces the cost of the vehicle although the full value of the vehicle is still subject to sales tax if your state charges tax on EVs. And an honest dealer will give you both figures so you can decide what would work best. Leasing will cost less per month but remember paying down the residual is a commitment you will need to make in 3 or 4 years - however long the lease goes.
MaxxMPG.....Thank you, thank you for your detailed, knowledgeable & concerned advice. Considering that I try to lead a simple life, it appears the lease idea just ain't my cup of tea. Maybe my union can give me some more information, as you did. Tho I do need the help of the various gov'ts to purchase an EV, it appears my days of simplicity might be ending.
