Dodge, Ram top Tesla, Volvo

New cars are becoming more cumbersome, in part because of new technologies, including safety systems, according to the 2023 edition of the Initial Quality Study released Thursday by J.D. Power.

“The automotive industry is facing widespread quality issues that have never been seen in the 37-year history of (initial quality research),” said Frank Hanley, senior director of automotive benchmarking at JD Power. “Today Our new cars are more sophisticated – offering exciting new technology – but not always satisfying owners.”

The 2023 Initial Quality Study found an average increase of 12 industry-wide issues per 100 vehicles to 192. Research last year showed an increase in the number of 18 problems per 100 vehicles, when the increase was attributed to ongoing supply chain issues plaguing the industry during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The study points to growing problems with advanced driver assistance features such as lane departure warnings and automatic emergency braking, as well as widespread problems with the wireless charging pads automakers add to drivers’ smartphones.

While the survey showed some of the problems that increased this year were related to new technologies, it also found automakers had trouble with things once considered basics, like door handles. Some automakers may have been inspired by Tesla to add high-tech door handles to new models, a “permeable problem area” with electric vehicles accounting for the 10 worst offenders, research shows 7.

three star Brands such as Dodge, Ram and Alfa Romeo top this year’s quality rankings, while Volvo and the electric carmaker tesla and pole star It was at the bottom of the list with 257 and 313 problems per 100 vehicles respectively.

Among U.S. automakers, General Motors It was a strong performer, with four of its brands — Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac — among the top 10 for quality.

Ford Didn’t do that well. Both the Ford and Lincoln brands had below-average problem numbers this year, with 201 and 208 problems per vehicle, respectively. While South Korea’s Hyundai and Kia are both well above average and longstanding exemplars of quality, toyotaperformed poorly, with 194 issues per 100 vehicles, slightly worse than average.

The mass market brands with the highest initial quality are Dodge, Ram, and Buick. Alfa Romeo, Porsche and Cadillac top the premium brand rankings.

Electric carmakers such as Tesla, Polestar, Lucid and Rivian were not formally considered part of the study because they did not give JD Power formal permission to access customer data, which is required by law in 15 states.

JD Power was able to calculate Tesla’s and Polestar’s scores based on results collected in other states. Lucid and Rivian’s sample sizes were considered too small to qualify for rankings and awards, but were included in the overall industry average, JD Power said.

The company’s annual Initial Quality ranking is based on survey responses from new car buyers or current model year vehicle lessees within 90 days of ownership. This is a widely watched study within the automotive industry. This year’s results are based on feedback from more than 93,000 participants.

The company conducts separate surveys to rank brands based on long-term reliability, attractiveness of new vehicle features, and car buyers’ cross-brand purchasing experience.