Ram and Dodge Leap To the Top of the Initial Quality Study Tesla Still Near Last

The latest J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS) has just been released and the big news is that Ram and Dodge have taken the top spots. Dodge was number two last year and Ram was fourth.

The 2021 IQS, now in its 35th year, is based on responses from hundreds of thousands of purchasers and lessees of new 2021 model-year vehicles who were surveyed by J.D. Power early in the ownership period. The study is based on hundreds of questions organized into nine vehicle categories (infotainment; features, controls and displays; exterior; driving assistance; interior; powertrain; seats; driving experience; and climate) designed by J.D. Power to provide manufacturers with information to facilitate the identification of problems and drive product improvement. The study was conducted from February through July 2021.

The largest problem area remains infotainment. “Owners are caught in the middle when vehicle and phone technologies don’t properly connect,” said Dave Sargent, vice president of automotive quality at J.D. Power. “This year there are many examples of smartphone technology not working as intended in new vehicles. With more vehicles being fitted with the wireless technology owners want, the study reveals an increase in connectivity problems between smartphones and vehicles, leaving many owners unhappy.”

Interestingly, sibling brand to Ram and Dodge, Chrysler remains at the bottom of the IQS listing. Tesla ranks third from last. You can read more about the new 2021 IQS here.

John Goreham is a long-time New England Motor Press Association member and recovering engineer. John's interest in EVs goes back to 1990 when he designed the thermal control system for an EV battery as part of an academic team. After earning his mechanical engineering degree, John completed a marketing program at Northeastern University and worked with automotive component manufacturers, in the semiconductor industry, and in biotech. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American news outlets and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on TikTok @ToknCars, on Twitter, and view his credentials at Linkedin