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Category Archives: quality
Say It Ain’t So! GM Recalls 500,000 Cadillac, Chevy, Saabs
GM CEO Mary Barra’s claim that GM recalls are behind it was mocked today by two more recalls covering half a million vehicles including 2015 Cadillac SRX models. Continue reading
Automakers Flub Launch of High Tech Vehicles, IQS Shows
The latest IQS or quality data revealed today at the Automotive Press Association meeting in Detroit shows that the number of problems experienced by new-vehicle owners has increased from the previous year, as automakers continue to have severe problems with complicated technologies now being deployed in new vehicles. Continue reading
Engine, Transmission Problems lead drop in Vehicle Dependability for The First Time in 15 Years
A large part of the quality decline appears to come from automakers rushing balky four-cylinder engines and more fuel-efficient, but rough transmissions into production in response to buyer’s demand resulting from high fuel prices in the U.S. Continue reading
Posted in quality
Tagged 2011 vehicle dependability, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, Ken Zino
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Infotainment Defects Grow in Latest Auto Reliability Data
The 2013 Annual Auto Reliability rankings revealed today before the Automotive Press Association in Detroit shows that General Motors and the Chrysler Group have barely average reliability, while Ford Motor continues to do poorly. Continue reading
Porsche and General Motors Top Power IQS Quality Survey
Luxury brand Porsche and populist Chevrolet lead initial quality reports for 2013 models. As a manufacturer, General Motors leads other automakers by far. These claims come from the latest J.D. Power and Associates IQS – Initials Quality Survey – that polled more 83,000 owners after 90 days of experience with their new car or light truck. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, quality
Tagged autoinformed, autoinformed.com, david sargent, iqs, j.d power, Ken Zino, quality
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U.S. Vehicle Dependability at All-Time High as New Models Lead
Overall vehicle dependability continues to improve for three-year old models to an all-time high, and for the first time dependability of all-new or substantially redesigned models is greater than carryover models from automakers. This is good new for used car buyers since well maintained off-lease vehicles will likely be durable. This assertion also confounds the conventional wisdom that says avoid buying all new models when they first go on sale. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, quality
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, dependability, j.d power, Ken Zino, vds
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Toyota Recalls More than 1 Million Corolla and Lexus IS Cars
Bad airbags and windshield wipers are forcing the recalls of 752,000 Corolla and Corolla Matrix models and 270,000 Lexus IS cars by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S. The two separate safety recalls are the result of a defective airbag control module … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, engineering, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, Ken Zino, lexus recalls, nhtsa, toyota recalls
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Another Ford Fire Recall on New Escape and Now Fusion Models
Ford Motor Company is recalling 2013 Ford Escape SE and SEL models equipped with the 1.6-liter engine and 2013 Ford Fusion SE and SEL models equipped with the 1.6-liter engine because of engine fires. Almost 90,000 of Ford’s latest models – both redesigned for 2013 – are affected. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, escape recalls, ford fire recall, fusion recalls, Ken Zino, nhtsa
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Ford, University of Michigan Hunt Smelly Microbes in Auto Interiors
Ford Motor Company and University of Michigan Researchers are studying microbes in automobiles that spread over interior surfaces causing discoloration and odors. Ford wants to know where microorganisms grow to develop antimicrobial additives for its coatings on interior surfaces. Continue reading
Chinese Auto Industry Initial Quality at All Time High
Chinese automakers made large improvements in initial quality during 2012, narrowing the gap between domestic and international brands. As a result, the auto industry in the world’s largest auto market set a record low in overall average problems per vehicle. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, engineering, manufacturing, quality
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, Chinese quality, iqs, j.d power, Ken Zino
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Japanese Top CR Reliability Survey Again. Ford, Lincoln Plummet
Toyota Motor Corporation’s three brands – Scion, Toyota, and Lexus took the highest places in the latest reliability survey released today at the Automotive Press Association in Detroit. The Toyota brands were followed by four other Japanese makes: Mazda, Subaru, Honda, and Acura, respectively. All of the models produced by the top seven Japanese brands had average or better reliability according to Consumer Reports, based on a survey of 800,000 owners who reported on 1.2 million vehicles up to ten years old. Of the 90 Japanese models reflected in the Consumer Reports brand comparison, 86 were average or better, with 35 earning the highest rating. Continue reading
CODA Recalls 2012 EVs for Defective Airbags
CODA Automotive is recalling 78 of its 2012 model year EVs because a manufacturing error incorrectly installed the side curtain airbags. Because of the defect, the airbag may not deploy properly in its four-door sedan, which only recently went on sale. In a statement the small, privately-held California company said it knows of no injuries. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, manufacturing, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, coda, coda recalls, Ken Zino, nhtsa
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Consumer Reports Auto Tester David Champion Joins Nissan
Nissan today announced the hiring of former Consumer Reports Auto Test Center Senior Director, David Champion, for a newly created position of executive adviser, competitive assessment and quality. The Japanese automaker is launching five new vehicles in 15 months, and its quality reputation is decidedly uneven. Consumer Reports rates 13 of 25 Nissan and Infiniti models this year as recommended buys. The J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability report has both Nissan and Infiniti well below industry average. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, people, quality
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, consumer reports, j.d power, Ken Zino, nissan
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Mercedes-Benz Recalls ML Class Floor Mats for Pedal Interference
Unlike the infamous floor mat recalls on Toyota and Lexus models starting in 2010, which had associated deaths, Mercedes-Benz uses an electronic brake-override that is standard equipment across the line. Drivers can bring any Mercedes to a stop by depressing the brake pedal, even if the gas pedal is fully depressed or jammed at the floor. When both the brake pedal and gas pedal are depressed at the same time, vehicle electronics override the gas pedal signal and bring the engine to idle as long as the driver keeps the brake pedal depressed. Continue reading
