All FCA Brands Improve Their J.D. Power Initial Quality Study Scores
Ram managed to improve its initial quality by a large margin
J.D. Power has just released the findings for its Initial Quality Study, the favorite source of awards for people who are totally real and not actually actors. On the whole, the study is positive news for FCA, especially the Ram brand. But to make things better, every one of FCA’s brands improved its Initial Quality score.
Ram experienced the strongest growth for this year’s study. Last year, Ram encountered 114 problems per 100 vehicles, higher than the industry average. This year, Ram only had 86 problems per 100 vehicles. In fact, Ram tied with Ford for fourth place in the Initial Quality Study.
True, Fiat is still last place. But at least it isn’t doing quite as bad as last year.
While the rest of FCA’s brands happened to be below the industry average, they still managed to improve their scores. Chrysler, for example, encountered 102 problems per 100 vehicles, rather than the 115 problems it encountered in 2016.
Dodge raised its Initial Quality score from 117 problems to 106 problems. Jeep also raised its score from 113 problems to 107 problems, albeit falling behind in its overall ranking.
Finally, Fiat may have been the brand that encountered the most problems in 2017, with 163 problems per 100 vehicles. However, this is still better than the 174 problems per 100 vehicles it faced last year.
“We’re pleased to see that all FCA US brands have made improvements in initial quality, especially Ram Truck with its big step up this year,” said Scott Garberding, Head of Quality for FCA – Global.
Individual models from FCA were also recognized during the 2017 J.D. Power study. The Chrysler Pacifica was declared the minivan with the highest initial quality, with the Dodge Grand Caravan following closely behind. Kia remained the top brand for the study, improving its score from 83 problems per 100 vehicles to 72 problems per 100 vehicles. Furthermore, the industry average improved between 2016 and 2017, shrinking from 105 problems per 100 vehicles to 97 problems per 100 vehicles.
The Pacifica received some high praise from J.D. Power
The J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey, now in its 31st year, is based on responses from nearly 80,000 drivers who have purchased or leased a 2017 vehicle within the past 90 days. Each participant answers a 233-question survey.
You can compare the results from the 2016 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study to the results from the 2017 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study below:
Source: J.D. Power
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