J.D. Power released the results of its 2021 Thailand Initial Quality Study or IQS. The 2021 study is based on responses from 4,571 new vehicle owners who purchased their vehicles from January to October 2021. The study covers 10 different brands that include 77 passenger car, pickup truck, and utility vehicle models. The study was fielded from July through November 2021.
Initial quality is measured by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100) during the first month of ownership until six months, with a lower score reflecting higher quality.
The study measures problems experienced in two distinct categories: design-related problems and defects and malfunctions. The study includes specific diagnostic questions covering eight problem categories:
- Exterior
- Driving Experience
- Features/Controls/Displays
- Seats
- Audio/Communication/Entertainment/Navigation
- Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning
- Interior
- Engine/Transmission
Showcasing its assembly quality, the Toyota Hilux (116 PP100) is the highest ranked vehicle in the study. The Hilux also managed to top the Pickup Double Cab category. Meanwhile, for Large SUVs (aka PPVs), the Mitsubishi Montero Sport was the highest ranked vehicle (131 PP100). In the Compact Car, the Toyota Yaris took the top spot in the Compact Car category (150 PP100), while the Mazda2 was ranked highest in the Entry Midsize Car with a 147 PP100.
Not enough respondents were available to rank vehicles in the Midsize Car, Premium Midsize Car, Compact SUV, MPV, and Pickup Single Cab categories.
Check the full rankings below.
The J.D. Power IQS identified 217 problem areas, with 59 percent of them related to design. Customers cite issues with excessive wind noise in the defects and malfunctions category the most (10.4 PP100). The rest of top five problems cited are related to design failure, namely poor radio reception (6.9 PP100); slow getting cold on air conditioner (6.0 PP100); insufficient power plugs/USB charging ports (5.5 PP100); and poor ride quality (4.9 PP100).
Small problems overlooked by carmakers also become top 20 problems such as issues related to floor mat (3.4 PP100), built-in Bluetooth pairing/connectivity issues on mobile phone/device (2.8 PP100), and hard to open/close at the trunk/hatch/tailgate (2.1 PP100) are also notable.
On the other hand, when it comes to defects and malfunctions, the most problematic issue is on driving experience (26.3 PP100) related to poor ride quality (5.2 PP100), and noisy brakes (4.0 PP100).
Young owners also tended to cite more problems with those aged 30 and younger reporting the highest number of vehicle problems at 166 PP100. Meanwhile, owners age 50 and older noted fewer problems at 153 PP100.
While the study was done in the Thailand market, the highest ranked vehicles—the Hilux, Montero Sport, and Mazda2 all offered in the Philippine market are sourced from factories in Thailand.
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