Are complex systems affecting reliability?
High-tech gadgets are making premium cars less reliable than mainstream models, according to data from the JD Power 2018 UK Vehicle Dependability Study. Problems with Bluetooth phones and voice recognition commands are among the most common faults, it said. “Automotive systems are more complex than they’ve ever been and premium brands are incorporating autonomous driving building blocks – adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, automatic braking – into their models,” said Josh Halliburton, head of European operations at JD Power. “It’s imperative for manufacturers to address this in order to improve the level of consumer trust in the technology.” Hyundai was named the most reliable brand, with Suzuki second and Kia third. The top-placed premium brand was Mercedes-benz, down in 14th place. The Hyundai i10, Mercedesbenz E-class, Peugeot 208, Vauxhall Insignia and Volkswagen Tiguan were named the most reliable cars in their respective markets. Škoda was the only brand with two category winners, the Octavia and the Yeti. The study is based on responses from 13,536 owners who purchased their cars between 2015 and 2017.