Category Archives: customer satisfaction

EV Owner Satisfaction at New High Amid Sales Slump

Posted on 18 February 2026 by Ken Zino

The JD Power 2026 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study,SM released today, notes that overall satisfaction among current battery electric vehicle (BEV) owners is at its highest level since the study’s inception in 2021. “Notably, nearly all owners of new BEVs (96%) say they would consider purchasing or leasing another BEV for their next vehicle,” J.D. Power said in a release. Continue reading →

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Park Outside – More Jaguar I-PACE Battery Fire Recalls

Posted on 16 February 2026 by Ken Zino

“Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures, charge outside, and limit their charge to a maximum of 90% until the recall repair is complete. As an interim repair, the battery software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update to limit the state of charge to 90%. The final remedy is currently under development,” Jaguar said in the mandatory safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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J.D. Power – Vehicle Dependability Problems at New Highs

Posted on 12 February 2026 by Ken Zino

“As owners hold onto their vehicles longer, the long-term ownership experience matters more than ever,” said Jason Norton, director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power. “Software updates and new technologies should enhance the ownership experience over time, yet many vehicle owners cite ongoing mobile phone integration problems and little to no benefit after an update is performed.” Continue reading →

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Huge Recalls for Jeep and RAM Spring and Brake Failures

Posted on 9 February 2026 by Ken Zino

Chrysler (FCA US) is recalling ~537,000 various Jeep and RAM vehicles for bad coil springs, bad trailer lights and trailer brakes may failures, according to mandatory safety defect recall documents made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. [NHTSA Recall ID Numbers 26V051 or 26V-051 and 26V059 or 26V-059 – Autocrat] The largest recall covers Exterior Lighting and the Electrical System on 2024-2026 Jeep Wagoneer S, 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, Ram 5500 Cab Chassis and 2026 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. Continue reading →

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Toyota Recalls 2023-2024 Prius Prime, 2023-2026 Prius, 2025-2026 Prius Hybrids

Posted on 9 February 2026 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (NYSE: TM, 7203T) is recalling ~ 141,300 model year 2023-2024 Prius Prime, 2023-2026 Prius, and 2025-2026 Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. Water may enter the rear door switch and cause a short circuit, allowing an unlocked rear door to open unexpectedly. This recall – NHTSA Recall ID Number 26V049 or 26V-049 – expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 24V274. Vehicles repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy performed. Continue reading →

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UAW Southern Advance – Tentative VW Chattanooga Contract

Posted on 5 February 2026 by Ken Zino

“For years, Chattanooga workers were told to settle for less while Volkswagen made record profits. So, the workers stood together and won their union—and now they’ve secured a life-changing first agreement,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “This deal proves what happens when autoworkers stand up and demand their fair share. People said Southern autoworkers could never form a union or win a union contract. Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga said, ‘Watch this.’” Continue reading →

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Fires – Volkswagen Group of America Recalls 2023-2025 ID.4s

Posted on 2 February 2026 by Ken Zino

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 2023-2025 model year ID.4 vehicles because the high-voltage battery may overheat and cause a fire. Two companies are involved in the safety defect recall of ~44,000 vehicles. Volkswagen supplied the software (BMCe Software); SK Battery America supplied the battery cell modules. [Owners should park outside. – AutoCrat]

“Defective high-voltage battery cell modules may overheat, increasing the risk of a fire. A joint analysis with the supplier has not led to a clear root cause determination despite extensive cell module and vehicle data analysis. Nevertheless, current analysis results show that certain deviations at the supplier of the battery modules may result in self-discharge,” Volkswagen said in the required safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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More Ford Recalls – 2026 Explorer, 2025 F-59 and F-53 Vehicles

Posted on 2 February 2026 by Ken Zino

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released this morning (2 February 2026) two more Ford Motor {NYSE: F) safety defect recalls with descriptions from Ford required under as required by 49 CFR § 573. Ford is operating under a … Continue reading →

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Pew – Confidence in Trump Dips, Fewer Support His Policies

Posted on 31 January 2026 by Ken Zino

Americans’ views of President Donald Trump, already more negative than positive, have continued to slip one year into his second term, according to the latest poling data from the estimable Pew Research Center.

A new Pew survey of 8512 U.S. adults, conducted Jan. 20-26, also finds that – across six key qualities and abilities needed to serve as president – more Americans express little or no confidence in Trump than say they are extremely or very confident in him. Continue reading →

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GM to Layoff 500 Employees at Oshawa Assembly

Posted on 29 January 2026 by Ken Zino

General Motors (NYSE:GM) conformed today that Oshawa Assembly will return to two shifts of production beginning 2 February. However approximately 500 employees will be placed on layoff.

“Preparations continue at Oshawa Assembly to build the next generation of gas-powered full-size pickups, supported by a $280 million investment that reinforces Oshawa’s future in GM’s key full-size truck program,” GM said in a release. Continue reading →

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Volvo Car Financial Services Extends BoA Deal

Posted on 27 January 2026 by Ken Zino

Volvo Car Financial Services (VCFS) and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) today announced the extension of their long-standing relationship to provide auto loan and lease origination, financing, and servicing for Volvo Cars customers and Volvo Cars’ 280 U.S. retailers.* The collaboration, which began in 2012, will now continue through 2030. Continue reading →

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Fire Risk – Ford Recalls Escape, Explorer, Focus, MKC Models

Posted on 26 January 2026 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F)* is recalling more than 119,000 model-year 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, 2024 Ford Explorer and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2-liter engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it … Continue reading →

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Pessimism on the Economy – A Pox on Both Parties

Posted on 23 January 2026 by Ken Zino

During January 2025, 70% of voters said that “inflation or costs of goods” were getting worse for people like them. One year later, that figure has remained largely unchanged, with 74% of voters now saying that inflation is getting worse, according to the latest polling this week by Data for Progress (DFP).

“Despite Trump’s campaign promises, voters’ perceptions of the economy have not improved since he took office. But in a warning sign for Democrats, voters are still largely split over which party has solutions to lower the cost of living,” said DFP. Continue reading →

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S&P Global Mobility – GM Tops Maker Loyalty Ratings Again

Posted on 20 January 2026 by Ken Zino

“For 30 years, this analysis has provided a fact-based measure of brand health and this year’s results are particularly telling,” said Joe LaFeir, President of Mobility Business Solutions at S&P Global Mobility. “The data shows the market is not rewarding just one type of strategy. Instead, we see sustained, high-level performance from manufacturers with broad portfolios. In the current market, retaining customers remains a critical performance indicator for the industry.” Continue reading →

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Park Outside – 2025 Volvo EX30 Battery Fires

Posted on 12 January 2026 by Ken Zino

“The recall population is determined by the first and last vehicles that were produced with a high voltage battery from the Shandong Geely Sunwoda Power Battery Company in China. The start of production with these cell variants began on September 6th, 2024, and ended on October 25th, 2025. Vehicles produced after October 25, 2025, do not have the high voltage battery cell deviation. This recall affects certain model year 2025 EX30 vehicles,” Volvo said in the mandatory safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning. Continue reading →

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