Jeep Underwhelms in J.D. Power Reliability Survey

Fiat Chrysler Claims J.D. Power’s 2014 Model Study Doesn’t Reflect Improvements Made

There continues to be no love lost between Jeep and J.D. Power & Associates. Certainly not after yet another disappointing score from the research company.

For years, Jeep has been at odds with how they’ve scored in J.D. Power’s annual automobile reliability survey. Alas, this latest news will do little to ease those tensions.

Based on 2014 models, the research company found that Jeep ranked as the second least reliable brand out of all the nameplates surveyed. To put it in perspective, the industry average for the period was 156 complaints per 100 vehicles sold. For 2014 Jeep models though, there were 209 problems reported for every 100 vehicles sold.

CHECK OUT: What Forum Members Are Saying About the Reliability Study

Apparently, the poor reliability scores from J.D. Power have actually haunted Jeep for decades. But as Fiat Chrysler officials point out, the report is a little misleading when it comes to the improvements made to more recent models.

“In J.D. Power’s 2016 U.S. Initial Quality Study — their most recent initial quality study — Chrysler and Jeep were the most improved brands in the study, with each improving their initial quality scores by 20 percent from 2015,” the company said. “We continue to encourage customers to experience our vehicles for themselves.”

Regardless, the longstanding negative reliability reports have had little to no impact on Jeep sales. In fact, in 2016, Jeep posted a 6% increase in overall sales. And with the introduction of the new Jeep Compass and an all-new Wrangler later this year, 2017 Jeep sales could see an even higher surge.

Via [Toledo Blade]