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.
I've been collecting data on the Dodge Caliber for some time (currently it's just a bit worse than average), and just started with the Patriot and Compass. I'm probably going to combine the two Jeeps because just about everything that might break is shared. But I'd like to still have a good sample of both, just in case they turn out to have unique issues.
So far, 75 Caliber owners and 21 Patriot owners are signed up to participate. Very few Compass owners, though, because I haven't had a forum lending a hand for this variant.
Participants report repairs the month after they occur on a one-page survey. When there are no repairs, they simply report an approximate odometer reading four times a year, at the end of each quarter.
To encourage participation, panel members will receive full access to the results free of charge.
Details: Vehicle reliability research
Comments, questions, and suggestions welcome.
I've been collecting data on the Dodge Caliber for some time (currently it's just a bit worse than average), and just started with the Patriot and Compass. I'm probably going to combine the two Jeeps because just about everything that might break is shared. But I'd like to still have a good sample of both, just in case they turn out to have unique issues.
So far, 75 Caliber owners and 21 Patriot owners are signed up to participate. Very few Compass owners, though, because I haven't had a forum lending a hand for this variant.
Participants report repairs the month after they occur on a one-page survey. When there are no repairs, they simply report an approximate odometer reading four times a year, at the end of each quarter.
To encourage participation, panel members will receive full access to the results free of charge.
Details: Vehicle reliability research
Comments, questions, and suggestions welcome.