Consumer Reports drops 7 vehicles

[dodge man]

If you subscribe to CD you can see the results. Its usually a little generic, like "charging system", and then they will have different circles shaded, from good to poor. They will have several different categories for each vehicle, paint, AC, suspension etc. They get their results from surveys they send out to subscribers. As far as I know, their results are 100% based on these responses.

I haven't read CR for years but one thing that gave them a little bit of a black eye is they gave a good review on a car that they always give good reviews for, it was either the Accord or the Camry, them latter admitted they hadn't even tested the vehicle.

Another thing to keep in mind, sometimes a very minor issue can make a vehicle look bad. Say in 2012 Ford got a bunch of junk light bulbs. Does this mean Ford vehicles have a bad electrical system? This is the kind of minor issue that could trigger something that shows up as a problem in the surveys but in reality is a minor issue.

 

[GreenWannabe]

I've answered their survey over a number of years, and their questions don't really allow a complete picture. They ask you to rate entire systems from good to bad (on a 1 to 5 scale), so it is up to each individual to decide if their particular problem is a minor part or a major flaw. Then they simply tabulate the numbers to come up with their reliability judgments. I don't ever take their word for it, I try to find reviews from many different sources to make up my mind on purchases. I've wound up disagreeing with their conclusions many times.

 

[sd455dan]

If you subscribe to CD you can see the results. Its usually a little generic, like "charging system", and then they will have different circles shaded, from good to poor.

Another thing to keep in mind, sometimes a very minor issue can make a vehicle look bad. Say in 2012 Ford got a bunch of junk light bulbs. Does this mean Ford vehicles have a bad electrical system? This is the kind of minor issue that could trigger something that shows up as a problem in the surveys but in reality is a minor issue.

That's true, even with the F-150 EB ( sorry Diamondpilot- couldn't resist taking a little jab earlier) CR reported the problems were not major engine problems and were things like bad sensors and ancillary things.
If I had listened to Consumer Reports, never would have owned (and enjoyed) half the vehicles I have driven over the years.

CR is worth taking into account- but it is not the end all be all authority. jmo

 

[PapaPerk]

Personally, I've never really trusted CR. I talk to people I know if I want owners experiences.

Yeah Consumer Reports are a bunch of city slicker creeps! (0:

 

[PapaPerk]

Yep, I used to be a subscriber until I realized the CR is the least reliable source of information you can find. I pay absolutely no attention anymore to their "opinions" which is all they have.

Well said Bird!

 

[lutt]

I 2nd that. There is a well documented incident from a few years ago where CR gave Bose a less than stellar review, ever since CR has given positive reviews to essentially the same products. In the Audiophile community Bose is regarded as pretty mediocre stuff... but you would not know that reading CR.

I will third that also. Most my friends are farmers, ranchers, and loggers. I'm a part time farmer and rancher. Most people don't subject there trucks to that kind of abuse. My truck is often subjected to rough gravel roads, field roads, mud, and overloaded. You'll find out what works and don't. If I was gonna look at a paticular brand. I'll ask one of them that has tried it. Publishers have no idea what works and don't. Surveys or no surveys. They sure don't know trucks! LUTT

 

[ruffdog]

If you haven't already, try a Moog part.

Rgds, D.

We use Moog ball joints on the F250's because the Ford parts just don't seem to last.

 

[orezok]

This is not a dig at anyone, but...

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Albert Einstein

 

[fordmantpw]

I hate CR! They are trying to stay relevant in the age of ever increasing vehicle reliability. Explain to me, why does an issue with the infotainment system have the same negative effect as a blown engine? Every defect is a defect to them, no matter how large or small.

 

[ray66v]

I find it hilarious that many believe money does not talk at Consumer Reports?

As far as Chrysler, Fiat, VW, being dropped, having worked on cars my whole life, and having seen them all inside out, I would never own anything from those three. So, in my opinion, the only reason they were there in the first place is, money talks.

 

[Diamondpilot]

We use Moog ball joints on the F250's because the Ford parts just don't seem to last.

Same with the GM ones. On the 07 Dmax I had it replaced 3 times and 2 carrier bearings. Switch to Mogg and no further issues till he sold the truck.

Chris

 

[HHR]

TrueDelta.com is a true consumer driven reliability source that Is much more precise than CR.

 

[texasjohn]

Exactly. I've found them to be accurate for the cars I've owned and have used them for purchase decisions...new and used.

I filled out the form for 20 years. I assumed they reported correctly. You can get lemons from the best list and fine cars from the wost of them but that is not the way to bet. I would take their word over just about any other info out there.

 

[Bota4me]

Exactly. I've found them to be accurate for the cars I've owned and have used them for purchase decisions...new and used.

same here , they said my dodge dakota and FORD ranger were junk and guess what.... They were right! All 4 toyotas rated high and they have been trouble free so cr is good in my book

 

[Bird]

Exactly. I've found them to be accurate for the cars I've owned and have used them for purchase decisions...new and used.

And there might be nothing wrong with using them IF you read the ENTIRE report on the products you're considering. As I said, it's their OPINION and they may not like features that are unimportant to you, or vice versa. I found them to be way off on the only two vehicles I've owned that they reported on.

By the way, I notice you show your location as Jarrell. Our youngest daughter will be moving to Jarrell Saturday into a new house they just bought because her husband started on a new job a couple of weeks ago in Austin.

 

[RAS323]

Looks like the only truck recommended is the Nissan Frontier. ConsumerReports.org - New Cars Make/Model - A to Z Index Now Chevy and Ram have dropped to the same level as Ford and Toyota trucks.

 

[MikePA]

To state the obvious, CR is s single data point and their vehicle scores are a mixture of subjective and objective evaluations.

 

[Tomtint]

It's pretty widley known that the GM trucks have a less than desirable quality reputation. It's across most of their product line. Having owned a MB ML, I can say it was also a problematic vehicle. It seemed as though the idiot lights were on more than the headlights. I believe Ram has been trying to provide a better quality product, but if you look at many of them with 30-40k on the clock, they don't appear to wear well.

 

[arrow]

Personally, I've never really trusted CR. I talk to people I know if I want owners experiences.

It is their main way of selling their "rag". Keep the buying public guessing by changing things up every few years so you run to their "advice". I don't trust them as far a i can throw a Silverado.

 

[ruffdog]

It is their main way of selling their "rag". Keep the buying public guessing by changing things up every few years so you run to their "advice". I don't trust them as far a i can throw a Silverado.

True, it's not about informing the public as much as it is about selling subscriptions.