2024 JD Powers Reliability Study: Jeep Rated Average

[TheRaven]

There's the core of it right there.

They are two completely independent things.

Now, there tends to be some correlation between them. But that's at a higher level. A company that skimps on design tends to skimp on manufacturing too. And a company that wants to build a quality product tends to invest in both. But that doesn't have to be true. A company may only focus on one side or the other. Correlation is not causation.

So you're saying that design is NOT a big part of initial quality?

I agree that there is some of the higher-level correlation you posit. But there is definitely a lot of design in initial quality. Looking at something as simple as the way pieces fit together - if the interface is not well-designed, the fit will be poor, resulting in poor quality.

Sponsored

 

[azjl#3]

Well shit, guess my last roughly 20 years of depending on Jeeps for reliable transportation must not have actually happened

yeah 15 here 6 jeeps, one grand 5 wrangler. yes, two lemons, which never left me stranded obtw.

 

[grimmjeeper]

So you're saying that design is NOT a big part of initial quality?

I agree that there is some of the higher-level correlation you posit. But there is definitely a lot of design in initial quality. Looking at something as simple as the way pieces fit together - if the interface is not well-designed, the fit will be poor, resulting in poor quality.

I know of several cases where a well designed item had terrible initial quality.

My father bought some machine tools well over 20 years ago from a US brand that moved manufacturing overseas. There were several build quality issues with it. Research on forums saw tons of people with similar issues, along with strategies for fixing them. Once over that initial hump, the tool has been fantastic for 25 years or so.

A great design can be assembled by a half ass team and come off the line in a mess. But once you fix the initial problems the solid design will work well and last a long time. The fact that it was a good design didn't stop under qualified workers from making mistakes building it.

And then there are many of the shop tools I buy at the big box stores. They're all assembled well with badically zero initial defects. But they die quickly because they aren't designed well at all.

Again, correlation is not causation.

 

[TheRaven]

I know of several cases where a well designed item had terrible initial quality.

Ok. Certainly possible. But that doesn't invalidate the entire idea. Design plays a big part in initial quality...that doesn't mean that you can't have exceptions. With a complex machine you can have one component that was NOT well designed bring down the entire experience. It can make an otherwise fantastic design perform poorly.

 

[BLS65]

Chrysler 310 problems per 100 vehicles wow. Isn't the only Chrysler branded product right now I'm minivan good grief. The way that Stellantis had mismanaged Chrysler should be a crime.

Just Chrysler? lol

 

[grimmjeeper]

Ok. Certainly possible. But that doesn't invalidate the entire idea. Design plays a big part in initial quality...that doesn't mean that you can't have exceptions. With a complex machine you can have one component that was NOT well designed bring down the entire experience. It can make an otherwise fantastic design perform poorly.

Small part, maybe.

 

[yokramer]

Small part, maybe.

About as small as the time when the v6 makes more power/torque than the 2.0

 

[grimmjeeper]

Thing is, a good design that's complex is hard to produce. And if you want to produce in large quantities you need to reduce the complexity of production so average workers can do it consistently. That affects the design. And not always in a good way. Getting good initial build quality isn't always in line with building a quality unit.

Then there's all of the outside factors. Being cost competitive and meeting regulations affect design.

 

[Brad Hearing]

Well shit, guess my last roughly 20 years of depending on Jeeps for reliable transportation must not have actually happened

well shit, guess your single example blows away all evidence otherwise

 

[yokramer]

well shit, guess your single example blows away all evidence otherwise

well shit, glad you finally realize this.

 

[2nd 392]

Ok. Certainly possible. But that doesn't invalidate the entire idea. Design plays a big part in initial quality...that doesn't mean that you can't have exceptions. With a complex machine you can have one component that was NOT well designed bring down the entire experience. It can make an otherwise fantastic design perform poorly.

The well known, unaddressed, inadequate, poorly designed, problematic clutch and buried 2’nd. small battery come to mind.

 

[dsgrey]

Nearly 6yo Jeep - zero breakdowns. 2yo Honda - one breakdown at 3 months old. But I did notice Honda wasn't high on the list.

 

[Brad Hearing]

well shit, glad you finally realize this.

well shit, and here ive been thinking otherwise like a sucker

 

[Windshieldfarmer]

I suspect many Jeep issues are caused by folks upgrading their Jeep improperly, which plays into these satisfaction-type surveys. For example, it is not enough to slap on 37s. Those larger tires often cause problems over time because the owner did not upgrade other things along with those 37s.

As it relates to suspension/driveline issues….yes. But “no” regarding a large number of other issues that are extremely common; locker sensors, corrosion, a variety fluid leaks, electronic problems, etc…..

 

[2nd 392]

Nearly 6yo Jeep - zero breakdowns. 2yo Honda - one breakdown at 3 months old. But I did notice Honda wasn't high on the list.

The one 95 Honda I owned single-handedly brought the average down. The most unreliable vehicle I have ever owned since my first in 1968 and only one of two that left me stranded ….. it did twice……. The other was my 63 Jeep that blew the rear end. The Jeep’s D-44 gets a pass, it wasn’t designed for an L-79 Chevy.

Sponsored