Some hybrids not as reliable as gas-powered models
By James R. Healey, USA TODAY
The most fuel-efficient vehicles — diesels and gas-electric hybrids — have more engine problems than similar gasoline-power vehicles, says a study of owners' experience with 2001 models.
Owners reported far more computer problems with the 2001 Toyota Prius than with the 2001 Toyota Corolla.
[Toyota]
The discrepancies can be dramatic. Owners of 2001-model Toyota and Honda hybrids reported twice as many engine problems as owners of gas-engine Toyotas and Hondas. Owners of Volkswagen diesels reported up to twice as many engine problems as owners of VWs burning gas.
The results are from J.D. Power and Associates' 2004 Vehicle Dependability Study. It asked '01 model owners what's gone wrong in three years.
RELATED CHARTS
Engine problem for hybrids
Engine problems for diesels
Automakers insist there's nothing inherently troublesome about diesels or hybrids, and say they score higher than gas-power vehicles in other measures of quality and satisfaction. But reliability doubts could make Americans reluctant to buy vehicles that could cut fuel bills and U.S. dependence on imported oil. Reliability problems also can make vehicles worth less as used cars.
Hybrids came to the USA late in 1999, and '01 models still didn't have bugs worked out, says Walter McManus, executive director of forecasting at J.D. Power. Diesel problems "are more surprising" because it's an older technology.
Hybrids on sale in '01 were the Honda Insight two-seater and Toyota Prius four-door sedan. No gas versions were available, so the Power survey contrasts them with the gas-power Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, each brand's best-selling small car. Other models in the survey have directly comparable gas versions.
Hybrid problems included repairs to engine computers and emissions-control systems — faults that gasoline and diesel models did not have.
Honda and Toyota say some '01 hybrids had faulty engine control computers, which triggered "check engine" lights and caused other problems. Both say they told dealers to replace faulty computers, and that solved the problems.
Diesels were mixed. Ford and Chevrolet diesel pickups were worse than similar gas models, while Dodge and GMC trucks were better overall.
Power research shows that, problems notwithstanding, owners love diesel and hybrid powerplants and rate them higher than owners of gas engines rate theirs.
"A large number of people are willing to accept problems in return for performance or new technology," McManus says.
