German car quality rated poorly in J.D. Power customer study

German cars are usually known for their high quality and reliability. However, a new study from the U.S. now shows that Volkswagen (VW), Audi, and BMW rank lower with customers than expected. Only one German brand – Porsche – impresses.

German cars stand for high quality, reliability, and innovative technologies. Globally, German brands are famous for their engineering and precision in vehicle development. German car brands such as Volkswagen (VW), Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz have long been associated with superior engineering and design. They are known for producing luxury vehicles and performance cars that set industry standards. You would think that German car manufacturers would score top spots in a quality ranking.

However, a customer study from the United States now suggests the opposite. Conducted by J.D. Power, a data analytics company, the study regularly surveys car buyers and compiles the results. The analysis shows that German car brands perform surprisingly poorly in terms of quality.

Only Porsche scores well with customers

J.D. Power evaluated the experiences of 100,000 car buyers and lessees. The focus was on the first 90 days of ownership. To assess quality, the number of reported problems per 100 vehicles was used. Ram, a brand that produces only pickups, topped the list with 149 reported problems per 100 cars. Ram has been gaining recognition for its reliability and customer satisfaction. It is part of Stellantis, a multinational automotive group.

German manufacturers were mostly at the bottom of the list. Of the 34 brands tested, BMW and Mercedes-Benz ranked 21st and 22nd. Volkswagen and Audi occupied the 28th and 29th spots. Only Porsche performed better, landing in 7th place overall and 1st among premium brands. Porsche is a luxury and sports car manufacturer and has consistently maintained a reputation for high performance and quality. It is part of the Volkswagen Group but often stands out due to its distinct engineering and brand identity.

The results of this J.D. Power study, however, are not necessarily applicable to Germany, partly because different models and engine variants are sold there. The automotive market can vary significantly between regions. Factors such as consumer preferences, regulations, and available models can affect the performance and perception of brands differently in various countries.

Electric cars in the workshop three times more often

Another finding of this study concerns electric cars: they need to visit the workshop three times more often due to problems compared to internal combustion engine cars. Internal combustion cars had 180 problems per 100 vehicles, while electric cars had 266. Three brands were at the bottom of the list in terms of the number of reported problems: Tesla, Polestar, and Rivian.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are still a relatively new technology, and manufacturers are continually refining their designs. Brands like Tesla, Polestar, and Rivian are pioneers in the EV market but face challenges in achieving the same reliability as traditional car manufacturers.

According to this study, the most common issues were with false alerts from driver assistance systems. Additionally, connecting smartphones with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay also caused problems. The initial connection with the system often failed or was interrupted. Some customers were also bothered by a chemical smell from the air vents. Modern cars are increasingly equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and connectivity features. While these technologies offer significant benefits, they also introduce new potential points of failure and customer dissatisfaction.