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Chrysler comes in dead last in JD Power & Associates Reliability Survey

Chrysler and all of the Chrysler Group's vehicle brands have come in dead last in JD Power and Associates Reliability Survey.
jeep cherokee

Chrysler's other vehicle brands include Dodge, Jeep, and Ram Trucks. Why did all these brands receive such a low reliability rating from JD Power and Associates Reliability Survey?

JD Power and Associates rates the reliability of vehicles by the number of problems per 100 vehicles. (This is an industry standard rating metric.) Out of 32 rated automakers in the reliability survey Chrysler came in last place with 192 problems per 100 vehicles, Dodge second to last with 183 problems per 100 vehicles, and Jeep and 179 problems per 100 vehicles. Ram was at least fourth with only 174 problems per 100 vehicles. So not only did Chrysler come in dead last, but all of it's brands are considered the worst in terms of reliability by JD Power and Associates.

In comparison Lexus, which came in first, only had 86 problems per 100 vehicles. (Toyota came in fourth with 104 problems per 100 vehicles.) Showing even though Toyota had problems in 2011 with the Tsunami and Earthquakes in Japan and flooding in Thailand, it is sill producing excellent vehicles.

JD Power and Associates points out that 25 of 32 brands showed fewer problems than over the previous year of the study. It says 2009 model-year vehicles ranked high overall in initial quality, meaning fewest problems right after initial purchase, and now it is showing up in longer-term quality. So many automakers have improved, but it seems Chrysler is still lagging behind the rest of the pack.

"Despite facing immense challenge in 2009, automakers placed a keen focus on delivering outstanding levels of quality, which they understood would be essential to their long-term success," says David Sargent, JD Power and Associates vice president.

JD Power and Associates study was based on responses from around 31,000 vehicle owners

Chrysler has long been plagued by reliability issues. The automaker has scored poorly and last in Consumer Reports ratings and surveys for vehicle quality and reliability as well.

This news is really not good for the company as it is trying to gain market share in 2012. JD Power and Associates Reliability Survey is closely watched by industry analysts and more importantly consumers. Chrysler has it's work cutout if it wants to improve all of its brands images and bring in new customers. Reliability is a very important factor when buying a new car.

Chrysler's halftime Super Bowl commercial was recently spoofed on Saturday Night Live by Bill Hader. I wonder if they will spoof these survey results too?

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Comments

Aaron Turpen    February 16, 2012 - 12:41AM

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It should be noted that it was Lexus, not the overall Toyota brand, that ranked first. Porsche was second, Cadillac third. Toyota took eight market segments in all, Ford three, and GM two. Still, overall numbers, as you said, were up across the board.

Anonymous (not verified)    February 16, 2012 - 6:03AM

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Should also be noted that this list are for 2009 models years of Chrysler... when they suffered Quality issues by Diamler.... List has nothing to do with 2011-2012 Chrysler Cars... Remember JEEP is the most reliable Domestic brand right now...

Aaron Turpen    February 16, 2012 - 9:21AM

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"JEEP is the most reliable Domestic brand right now" according to who? Jeep? Chrysler?

BTW, none of the "domestic" brands are really made entirely in America anymore. Chrysler and Jeep both get transmissions from South America and Mexico, and Ford and GM get parts from all over the place.

In fact, most Honda and Toyota cars are actually more American made than their Big 3 competition. Read HowToBuyAmerican.com for more information.

Anonymous (not verified)    February 16, 2012 - 2:29PM

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No By FORBES of all people, Search "Jeep the most reliable Domestic brand"

By Domestic, Means born in the US or North America. dont try to trail off the main subject because you know you darn wrong

Yes the Past 5 years was the worst. thier havent been many complaints about the New 2011-2012 models besides the 5 speed tranny. Durango placing 3rd and currently 1st in many CUV Comparisons,and CR is starting to take a liking to the new Chrysler models. Ford has even droped dramatically cause of thier Tranny issues and Complicated Touchscreen systems, on THAT subject Chryslers UConnect won many awards.

Adam Yamada-Hanff    February 16, 2012 - 2:58PM

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Actually my colleague is right and there are no auto analysts or journalists who would argue with him. Many foreign automakers source and build more parts in the US for their models than many American car companies. Final assembly of many vehicles happens in the US as well.

Don't let your bias of "Crapler" ohhhh I mean Chrysler skew your opinion. You are welcome to look-up the facts yourself.

Rich (not verified)    February 24, 2012 - 12:49PM

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If you'll notice the comment I specifically replied to:

"Don't let your bias of "Crapler" ohhhh I mean Chrysler skew your opinion."

The news you reported is factual, your tone and choice of wording in the article shows some bias and that comment in particular lays it right out. I have no problem at all with reporting on what JD Power & Associates surveys show, my distaste stems from how it is presented and the attitude you take in the comments.

Adam Yamada-Hanff    February 24, 2012 - 1:01PM

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The reporters on this website try our best to report the news in a factual and unbiased manner. (Unless we have written a News Opinion piece.)

You are free to share your comments under stories. However, comments are not necessarily subject to the same journalistic standards.

We do reserve the right to remove or edit any comment. Especially when people make racist comments about the Japanese.

Rich (not verified)    February 24, 2012 - 1:52PM

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I'm a little confused about the last part, so far as I can see nobody has brought any racism into this?

I was unaware comments were not subject to the same standards, on some of the sites I read they are in the case of the writers. If I might give some advice from the perspective of a reader though when the person who wrote an article takes a very strong stance in the comments that tends to reflect back and color the article itself in the mind of the reader. The article itself didn't bother me much until I had read the comments at which point the way I saw the article itself shifted.

Anonymous (not verified)    February 16, 2012 - 6:07AM

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It should also be noted that this List is for 2009 Model year cars of all Manufactures.... Has Nothing to do with 2011-2012 Chrysler Models...Nice way to Bash Chrysler Torque News....Chrysler: the Brand people love to hate...

Aaron Turpen    February 16, 2012 - 9:11AM

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Guess you work for them. Consumer Reports, Edmunds, and every other major automotive testing outlet has given Chrysler models generally bad scores overall for the past five years.

Besides, Chrysler is another bailout queen. Why would any of us who paid for it, so it could be bought out by Italians, like the company? At a $1.3B loss, btw.

I, for one, will never own a Chrysler or GM product ever again. Just like I don't bank at any of the major U.S. banks on the bailout list. In my opinion, Chrysler, GM, Bank of America, Chase, and all the rest should have been left to die like they deserved. They made the bad decisions, they made the bad investments, they squandered their money. Not me. Yet I was forced (taxation is force) to bail them out. If I make those same kinds of decisions will the government cut me a huge check and make it all better? Probably not.

Aaron Turpen    February 16, 2012 - 4:41PM

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Ford received no bailout. They received some gov-backed loans, but those were straight loans that will be paid back with interest, not at a loss as with GM and Chrysler. The government never owned a single share in Ford. I'd suggest you do a little research.

As for Japan bailing out Toyota.. that's their business. I don't pay taxes in Japan and don't live there, so it's not my concern if they decide (or are forced to, as we were) to bail out their auto industry. Their gov-backed loans from Japan, btw, were to recover from a natural disaster, not because Toyota made a bunch of crap investments and overpaid their workers.

Adam Yamada-Hanff    February 16, 2012 - 2:26PM

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Aaron is right on. Look it up for yourself people! Chrysler has consistently scored at the bottom of quality and reliability surveys from lots of respectable testing organizations. Chief among them Consumer Reports. These organizations know what they are doing and compile accurate information. If you don't like it, that's not my problem!

I also have to agree with Aaron. I think you are either for all bailouts or completely against it. I am personally against bailouts.

If you make a bad decision to build bad unreliable cars or screw helpless people into buying a home they can't afford, why is that my responsibility? No, it is not my responsibility and it should not be my money used to help these companies stay afloat. You were stupid, too bad! Also when did $1.3 Billion become money to we could just throw away?

I don't think it is fair to to take money from taxpayers who have no intention of buying or using your products. I will never buy a GM or Chrysler either!

Anonymous (not verified)    February 20, 2012 - 9:15AM

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How does Toyota have a massive recall of 10 million or more get a high score ? Why ? They had been covering up their issues in order to save face as part of Japenese culture. Then because of the same mentallity they covered up problems at the nuclear facility and helped make a disaster even worse. Why is this not discussed ? Why? Why ?