Notices
General Automotive Discuss all things automotive here other than the RX-8

Mazda ranks 5th from last in 2009 JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study

Thread Tools
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Mar 19, 2009 | 09:49 PM
  #1  
CarAndDriver's Avatar
Thread Starter
2005 Black RX-8 GT 6M
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,350
Likes: 0
From: San Jose Area
Mazda ranks 5th from last in 2009 JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study

Mazda ranks fifth from last and is only ahead of Isuzu, Land Rover, Volkswagen and Suzuki from being in last place.

JD Powers looked at 2006 vehicle surveys. I am not surprised, Mazda is not known for being one of the star Japanese automakers when it comes to being problem free. Too bad it is just so low and with Land Rover and VW - reliability basket cases.

Whether you hate, despise, maybe even like JD Power studies, they certainly seem to have positioned themselves as an influential industry "authority."

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/19/j...icle-dependab/
Attached Thumbnails Mazda ranks 5th from last in 2009 JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study-vds_1.jpg  
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2009 | 09:58 PM
  #2  
jones75254's Avatar
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Scion on the bottom?? When Toyota and Lexus are at the top? They are all built by the same enitity using pretty much the same parts, thats a bit odd. I have NEVER heard of Scion's having many issues at all.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2009 | 10:12 PM
  #3  
ZoomZoomH's Avatar
Mulligan User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,612
Likes: 3
From: caddyshack
Originally Posted by jones75254
Scion on the bottom?? When Toyota and Lexus are at the top? They are all built by the same enitity using pretty much the same parts, thats a bit odd. I have NEVER heard of Scion's having many issues at all.
that's your PERCEPTION that Scions never have problems, the data collected by JD Powers shows otherwise

of course, there's that old saying, "there's lies, damn lies, and statistics", lol
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2009 | 11:01 PM
  #4  
ASH8's Avatar
Super Moderator
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,880
Likes: 340
From: Australia
Funny how it is the complete opposite here in Australia and New Zealand where Mazda rates #1 or 2 on almost ALL occasions?..

Even in Europe Mazda rarely dips below 3 or 4, most times they are 1 or 2.

Must be a lot of Whingers in the US, or VERY poor Dealers that fail to fix an issue the first time?..my apologies to RX-8 club Members who never whinge or whine about their Mazda..
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2009 | 11:09 PM
  #5  
moRotorMotor's Avatar
Rotary eXperimental-8
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 0
From: Gander, Newfoundland, Canada
lol that can't be right. Mazda was inching up for last few years. Now for it to drop so far to the bottom.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2009 | 11:34 PM
  #6  
9krpmrx8's Avatar
SARX Legend
iTrader: (46)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 33,788
Likes: 462
From: San Antonio, Texas
The Scion thing makes me feel its bs.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2009 | 11:43 PM
  #7  
zoom44's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 21,958
Likes: 115
From: portland oregon
VERY poor Dealers that fail to fix an issue the first time?
ding ding ding ding give that man a prize
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2009 | 11:50 PM
  #8  
Texak's Avatar
Don't Tase Me Bro!
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
From: CO
what's the prob with vw's? only ever heard of serious problems with the touareg...
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2009 | 12:01 AM
  #9  
exsequor's Avatar
wipe me down
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 825
Likes: 1
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Originally Posted by zoom44
ding ding ding ding give that man a prize
for real..if dealers handled things correctly i'm sure mazda could very well be up there with the rest.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2009 | 12:07 AM
  #10  
shazy's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,256
Likes: 0
From: Montreal,QC
W.T.F is a Buick?
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2009 | 12:20 AM
  #11  
GeorgeH's Avatar
Registered
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,666
Likes: 3
From: Portland OR
Originally Posted by Texak
what's the prob with vw's? only ever heard of serious problems with the touareg...
I buddy at work who had a Jetta wagon he bought perhaps 3 years ago - he had a lot of problems with it. Don't know the specifics but he complained about it regularly (and it's not in his nature to complain). I know VW makes desireable cars, but in this case, they lost a customer (he drives a Subaru now).
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2009 | 01:15 AM
  #12  
zoom44's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 21,958
Likes: 115
From: portland oregon
Originally Posted by shazy
W.T.F is a Buick?

here try this buick
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2009 | 01:29 AM
  #13  
shazy's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,256
Likes: 0
From: Montreal,QC
Hehe, I was obviously kidding
The only cool one was the Buick back in the 80's. Think it was called the Grand National...
End Of offtopicstuff.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2009 | 02:05 AM
  #14  
nycgps's Avatar
Out of NYC
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 19,881
Likes: 36
From: Planet Earth
I think it has a lot to do with targeted market.

Buick ? come the fuxk on. their target market is more "older" people. most of the time they dont even know that something is wrong. they just drive it. I saw it mad times that ppl in a buick, the car is making MAD noise from the outside (its not even old car, maybe 3-4 yrs). but it seems that the "driver" doesnt care or he never really hear it.

and Scion, most of the owners are younger "kids" that nag about every single thing. or they just fuxked their car up then bring it back and whine about the car suck (took the parts out first of course)

Mazda ... most Mazda people are enthusiast like us. and with TSB "easily" available. Its not surprised that a lot of people will go back and whine. Even when the problem is not there. Not to mention, Mazda's dealership ... some are ok. but most ... *sweat* like NYC. all 5 dealerships in the NYC metro area suck ***. so go figure.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2009 | 02:35 AM
  #15  
SARRAS's Avatar
Sydney, Australia
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 202
Likes: 1
From: Sydney, Australia
Originally Posted by GeorgeH
I buddy at work who had a Jetta wagon he bought perhaps 3 years ago - he had a lot of problems with it. Don't know the specifics but he complained about it regularly (and it's not in his nature to complain). I know VW makes desireable cars, but in this case, they lost a customer (he drives a Subaru now).
VW's here in Oz have a bad rap for crappy electrics - blown door lifter motors, failed engine sensors etc. Plus some parts are ridiculously expensive - one repair I know of on a Bora - a four door Golf, came to over $AUD6,000 to replace a worn clutch - at 40,000klms. (that's $US4,000 and 25,0000 miles). It involved replacing the flywheel as VW won't let them be re-faced, and as it and the other parts were only available ex factory - hey ho - $6k clutch repair. Needless to say the owner promptly sold the car after it was back on the road.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2009 | 03:39 AM
  #16  
Benjamz's Avatar
Tony says, RX8s are GREAT
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 507
Likes: 2
From: Bay Area.
Buick is very reliable. They have not changed their set-up for over 10 years. They have been running on that 3.8 engine forever. The late model century beat accord and camery in reliability a few years back. They are just making small visual changes.

But there new cars, I don't know. That new Buick Enclave SUV is pretty nice.

As far as volkswagon, I would only get their diesel cars. I would love to get my hands on a diesel Tourag.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2009 | 06:35 AM
  #17  
ATL-GP's Avatar
Speed is all you FN NEED
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 628
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, Georgia-USA
Originally Posted by shazy
Hehe, I was obviously kidding
The only cool one was the Buick back in the 80's. Think it was called the Grand National...
End Of offtopicstuff.
DAMN RIGHT......that thing was the KING of sleeper cars
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2009 | 08:41 AM
  #18  
alienRX8's Avatar
Boosted!!!
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 960
Likes: 0
From: Puerto Rïco
I like the vw gti's but I am very scared of vw and their problems. I had friends with vw's and problems ranked from transmission problems, leaks from the seals so the inside of their cars would become pools when it rained, some small engine stuff, electrical, that and their dealer here in Puerto Rico is known for HORRIBLE and EXPENSIVE service.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2009 | 08:47 AM
  #19  
Mazmart's Avatar
Registered
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,794
Likes: 67
As small as Mazda is, they could really focus some time, effort and money on dealer training. Retention of those who are properly trained would be right up there in priorites if I had anything to do with the situation. The cars are great but the 'system' sucks. I worked as a tech with Mazda in the past and the 'flat rate' program that is used for paying techs is not conducive to quality repairs. Survival is based upon rushing and finding short cuts. My style is: Do it right the first time and it won't come back to haunt you. Happy customers will ALWAYS return and of course the opposite applies as well.

Paul.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2009 | 10:09 AM
  #20  
Icemark's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 755
Likes: 0
From: Rohnert Park CA
Hey what you guys are missing is what JD power rates.

For example you know what the number one complaint in that poll was.

Wind noise. Yep, If the car has wind noise JD powers considers it less reliable than a car without wind noise.

Wanna know what the number two complaint was... noisy brakes. So if you get a little dirt in your brakes and they make some noise until you wash your car, JD powers considers that to be a defect.

So right there, if you had both wind noise at 120 MPH and squeaky brakes you would have two deflects on your car according to JD powers and would rate around 200. Nothing about an engine lasting 100K miles or nothing about the interior not looking like crap after 50K miles (like most Honda's and Buicks I have seen)... but rather BS like squeaky brakes. That is why the Buick scores so high... little windnoise from its jelly bean shape and brakes that don't squeak (of course they don't stop the car either, but that doesn't matter to JD powers).

So you guys are reading too much into the JD Powers crap polls. They are not reliability/ dependability, they are instead BS answers from Americans that 90% are clueless anyway. That is why Mazda scores so high everywhere else in the world. It is the same car, but in some countries a little wind noise at 120 MPH is acceptable.

Don't get your panties in a bunch until you actually read the reports.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2009 | 10:39 AM
  #21  
tjbourgoyne's Avatar
tjb
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 877
Likes: 2
From: Louisiana
http://www.jdpower.com/autos/mazda/2009 shows the reliabilty for each Mazda vehicle which are all good except the Tribute. Even the 8 is 4/5.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2009 | 10:40 AM
  #22  
Feras's Avatar
the Doctor
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 0
From: Bryn Mawr, PA
well lets see my rx8 had two new transmissions and a new engine, amongst the many warranty necessary fixes during its first 4 years of life...surprised it wasnt last on the list. Fanbois please seriously get with reality. Stop trying to make up for whatever it is you're making up for, accept your ride for what it is.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2009 | 10:49 AM
  #23  
tjbourgoyne's Avatar
tjb
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 877
Likes: 2
From: Louisiana
Buick should be up there with 3 cars in their lineup.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2009 | 10:53 AM
  #24  
tjbourgoyne's Avatar
tjb
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 877
Likes: 2
From: Louisiana
Originally Posted by MazdaspeedFeras
during its first 4 years of life...surprised it wasnt last on the list.
The study is for 2008 cars.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2009 | 10:57 AM
  #25  
Red Devil's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,086
Likes: 1
From: Misinformation Director - Evolv Chicago
Originally Posted by MazdaspeedFeras
well lets see my rx8 had two new transmissions and a new engine, amongst the many warranty necessary fixes during its first 4 years of life...surprised it wasnt last on the list. Fanbois please seriously get with reality. Stop trying to make up for whatever it is you're making up for, accept your ride for what it is.
I won't deny there have been issues, clearly recalls and reflashes, etc...but I have an '04 - 85K original engine - still on M flash, and original transmission. A few thousand of those miles are also from the race track.

Call me a fanboi if that's your excuse, but my reality is different from yours.
Reply


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:59 PM.