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by argonaut 1095 days ago
This is based on the JD Power Initial Quality Survey which can't really be used to measure "quality" because they mix together "things customers get annoyed by" and "actual defects."

For example, if I'm annoyed by having to use the touchscreen in a Tesla Model 3 to open the glove box, that counts as a problem even if it has nothing to do with the actual build quality. So in this case it makes sense that more tech = more things to get annoyed about, whether or not the tech is reliable.

5 comments

Small subtle distinction: quality can refer to both “does it do the thing right” and “does it do the right thing”.

Customer (dis)satisfaction can be a measure of the latter even if the products perfectly meets the former.

Anything that ranks Dodge as #1 in quality is suspect.
Was thinking similarly. People rave about the slant 6 engine and how it lasts forever, same for the diesel engines used in their trucks but those are Cummins built
Sounds like an awesome measure of quality I'm extremely grateful for.

I don't care if it's broken or broken by design. It has the same effect on me.

Failure to meet a requirement, one of which is user satisfaction, is, by definition, a defect.
My requirement is to tow the Space Shuttle up Mt Everest. I found a used Prius and am unsatisfied with its performance.

Cmon, that’s not a defect. That’s being irritated because you didn’t spec out what you need.

Yes. The JD Power Surveys can be VERY useful, but you have to understand the intent of each one, and you have to understand that it may not be what first comes to mind when you read the title.
And also understand that JD makes all of its money from traditional auto manufacturers and has no legal obligation or accountability for accuracy or lack of bias