Ugh. CR is just completely wrong.
...
This whole situation with CR just smells funny. Highest rated car ever and then pull the rating because of some unsubstantiated quality issues (made a request today of the data and no response yet). There is a lack of impartialness that is completely exposed at this point.
How is it "wrong" and how are the quality issues "unsubstantiated"? They had 1400 responses for the Model S in the
reliability survey.
We've already seen time and time again certain problem spots such as drive units that develop noise and get replaced, door handle problems, etc. Motor/transaxle replacements on Leafs (in comparison) are almost unheard of despite a far larger Leafs population of Leafs that has also been on the road years longer than the S. I'm active on MNL and have never heard of a Leaf that required as many repairs as Edmunds' did at
2013 Tesla Model S Long-Term Wrap-Up | Edmunds.com.
This is TOTALLY separate from their testing (which you refer to in "highest rated car ever", which is true). See
Consumer Reports Car Test Center - Â*Consumer Reports.
They've gushed over many times (in their magazine, on their site, in their videos) and love the car. And, such, they recommended the car when it still had a average reliability rating or better. It doesn't anymore, so no more recommendation, as that's one of the requirements.
That doesn't change their test score, which is excellent.
CR is BS at this point. They do not understand this car or this industry. IF X+ percent of us are happy with the vehicle even if there are required repairs, then the CR polling is ridiculously flawed.
Stop going back and forth in this forum, and target CR instead. Tell them that they need to be more fair, and expose their criteria for ratings.
They understand the industry. They've been testing cars since 1936, it seems like per
Consumer Reports History 1930s - 2000s .
Consumer Reports History of Reliability | Years of Reliability Surveys - Consumer Reports says
Consumer Reports published its first reliability chart in 1952, based on responses from 50,000 subscribers. The survey, conducted by a third-party organization, covered most major brands sold in the U.S. at the time, including Nash, Packard, and Rambler.
The chart expanded from 35 different models in 1963 and to 44 cars in 1967.
In 1972, we took the survey in-house, and have since consistently published automotive reliability surveys for our readers, making ours the oldest vehicle-reliability survey of its kind. The results contained reliability history charts showing which cars required more than average repairs in different problem areas. (In more recent surveys, we ask about problems, not repairs.)
You're confusing owner satisfaction with reliability. Owner satisfaction scores for the Model S are excellent. Reliability is not.
Tesla Reliability Doesn’t Match Its High Performance - Consumer Reports even says
Despite the problems, our data show that Tesla owner satisfaction is still very high: Ninety-seven percent of owners said they would definitely buy their car again. It appears that Tesla has been responsive to replacing faulty motors, differentials, brakes, and infotainment systems, all with a minimum of fuss to owners.
Tesla Model S Tops Consumer Reports Customer Satisfaction Index, Again - 98% said yes
Consumer Reports Says Tesla Model S Customer Satisfaction Highest - 99% said yes
It would be completely wrong and dishonest to inflate reliability scores or give any car or company a free pass on reliability just because owner satisfaction scores are high.
Please read
Car Reliability History | Detailed Ratings - Consumer Reports AND
Car Reliability FAQ | Answers to Reliability Questions - Consumer Reports
Why target CR? You want to target them because you don't like the ratings and are confusing multiple issues.
Again, 3 separate things done separately by CR, reported separately, and how the S did:
- car evaluation:
Consumer Reports Car Test Center - Â*Consumer Reports - excellent
- reliability survey of car owners/lessees who subscribe to CR - worse than average
- car owner satisfaction survey (same set of people as above) - excellent
If we NEVER or almost never heard of issues here w/drive units, door handles, squeaks, rattles, leaks, car shutting down and being undriveable due to some failure (e.g. contactor or DU), head unit/touchscreen unit and then suddenly we see the problems in CR reliability ratings in those areas, then you could say something. But in fact, drive system, body integrity, body hardware, power equipment and audio system appear to be problems.
Their definitions from
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/04/reliability-histories/index.htm:
DRIVE SYSTEM: Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.
...
BODY INTEGRITY (noises & leaks): Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, loose or cracked seals and/or weather-stripping, air and water leaks.
BODY HARDWARE: Power or manual windows, locks and latches, tailgate, hatch or trunk, doors or sliding doors, mirrors, seat controls, safety belts, sunroof, convertible top.
POWER EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES: Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, remote engine start, alarm or security system
AUDIO SYSTEM (in-car electronics): CD or DVD players, radio, speakers, GPS, communication system (e.g., OnStar), infotainment system with integrated controls (e.g., MyFord Touch, Cadillac CUE, HondaLink), Bluetooth pairing, portable music device interface (e.g., iPod/MP3 player), backup or other camera/sensors.
