In late 2005 I started conducting my own reliability research. I'm reporting absolute stats like "times in the shop" that will make the differences between cars much clearer. Relative ratings obscure too much--how large is the difference between "better than average" and "worse than average"? I’ll also be updating results four times a year, so there will be information on new models sooner.

The only hybrid I'm reporting results on so far is the Prius, with 175 owners in the panel so far. With other hybrids I don't yet have enough participants to report their results separately.

To encourage participation, panel members will receive full access to the results free of charge.

Details: Vehicle reliability research

Comments, questions, and suggestions welcome.

truedelta.com
Vehicle reliability, fuel economy, and price comparison information

Is there some problem with the Consumer Reports data?

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

Three big problems with CR's results:

1. They only report relative ratings, which obscures the absolute size of differences. How many people are aware that the differences between the dots for 2006 model year cars is only 0.03 problems per car (one extra problem for every 30+ cars)?

TrueDelta reports the absolute repair rates, to make the differences clear.

2. Their survey asks people to report "problems you considered serious." This wording is far too subjective and vague, opening the door for all sorts of individual biases and extraneous factors.

TrueDelta clearly defines what counts as a problem.

3. They update annually and slowly. They won't have results for the year ending March 31 until November.

TrueDelta updates prompty and quarterly, and will post results for the same period next week. In November we'll have results for the year ending September 31. On average, TrueDelta's results will be over ten months "fresher."

Do you want to know how reliable a car was a year ago, when it was a year younger, or how reliable it has been lately?

For additional critiques and details:

Consumer Reports critique

Consumer Reports survey critique

truedelta.com
Vehicle reliability, fuel economy, and price comparison information

Hi,

Truth be told, I'd be more interested in joining a 'fleet performance study' with 100% accounting for all costs. Other than some of the large fleet operators, I'm not seeing that kind of detail in any of the voluntary system, Consumer Reports or Truedelta.

For now, I will wish both teams 'good luck'.

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

Thanks for the luck.

Latest results:

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

Always looking for more participants.

truedelta.com
Vehicle reliability, fuel economy, and price comparison information

Next results in August. The Prius remains the only hybrid with a sufficient sample.

truedelta.com
Vehicle reliability, fuel economy, and price comparison information

I'm chapped because my Lexus RX400h just completely konked out today. Complete power failure for a 2.5 year old car. Service reps say that the battery probably went bad. Said they have seen this in a "handful" of cars. Not the first time.

My main concern when I bought the car was whether the battery would last. Was told no problem, battery technology is wonderful.

Warranty will pay for a new battery, but I will be getting rid of the car. Car failure occured at 60 miles per hour in the middle of a freeway. No hint, no warning that battery or anything was amiss. Then bam! Complete power failure - meaning power steering went out, everything (thank goodness brakes were still good). Fortunately I was able to coast to a stop on the inner median, and did not stop in the middle of traffic like I was afraid initially might happen. This was a VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

Has anyone else experienced this situation?

I would be surprised the problem is really the battery. Toyota battery failures are very rare. Please post what the final result is when the RX400h is fixed. I'm sorry you had the problem. I've had "complete power failure" twice in my F-150. It is not any fun at all. Mine was due to the infamous ignition module self destructing - both times.

How many miles on it?

Steve

STOP terrorism - Drive a HYBRID

Vehicles:
350 miles a week ------------ 2006 HCH II, Magnetic Pearl, w/NAVI (born on May 25, 2006)
350 miles a month ---------- 2003 Mazda Tribute ES-V6
350 miles a year (for now) - 1986 Mercedes 560SL

Hi,
Sorry to hear about your problem. Where will the car be sold? Did you have any other problems with the car?

Thanks,
Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.