J.D Powers rates Yaris as Toyota's least reliable car

[yaristotle]

...while Consumer Reports the Yaris as Toyota's most reliable! J.D Powers also rates the Scion brand as "unreliable"! is J.D. Powers a joke or what?

[SailDesign]

They're all jokes.

[tuckevalastin]

Just because they rate the Yaris badly they are a joke? In fact not even badly just worse than other Toyotas...


I would hope that the least reliable Toyota would be the cheapest car they make. If I paid for a more expensive model and it was less reliable then I wouldn't be very happy with Toyota.

[aclark246]

I would hope that the least reliable Toyota would be the cheapest car they make. If I paid for a more expensive model and it was less reliable then I wouldn't be very happy with Toyota.

+1
That makes a lot of sense.

Although I'm hoping to have a few less issues because I don't have any of those fancy power options like power/remote locks/windows. One less thing to break haha (although the convenience might be nice on rainy days fumbling around with the keys)

But as has also been said, they may be at the low end of Toyota, but Toyota is at the high end of everything else. Worst of the Best is still better than Best of the Worst.

[SilverBack]

Bullshit! They were passing a bong around and nostalgically thinking of Yugo...

[The little red pill]

The Yaris hasn't even been out that long so how has it been branded as the least reliable? Only 3 model years is hardly going to give an accurate representation of reliablity.
Of course JD Powers stated that the Tahoe is the most reliable Full Size Sport Utility and that was the biggest POS I've ever owned.

[tuckevalastin]

What exactly is Toyota's least reliable car since you all seem amazed that it could be the Yaris?!

[Goose]

I agree that such "studies" are not the most reliable source of info. Having owned three Yaris liftbacks (I swap cars often), though, I can say that the Yaris can have a few small problems.

My first one ('07) had a minor problem with the transmission at ~8,000 miles. Toyota decided to replace the entire transmission. The '07 also had a gremlin in the turn signal switch that caused the brights to light up (no, I wasn't hitting the flash-to-pass function). The '08 was perfect - no problems. My latest, the '09, has another minor problem in which the airbag light keeps coming on. My dealer tells me the system won't deploy when the light is lit, so we're getting it sorted out Monday.

In the end, none of these problems are much to worry about - especially when coupled with the excellent service my local dealer provides. Compared to my experience with a Prius (no problems in 35,000 miles), the Yaris is relatively "problematic". I'm sure such problems are reported and reflect in the stats. Nobody's asked me for my experiences, though...

In the end, I think the Yaris is a damn good little car for the money - I keep coming back to 'em. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the car to anyone.

EDIT: From what I've read, I'd say the full-size Tundra pickup is Toyota's least-reliable vehicle.

[TheRealEnth]

well lets see.... Seeing there is a guy here that has.... 300,000miles+++++ in 2 years on his yaris, and he says all he did was regular maintenance of worn items... im thinking the yaris... IS NOT UNRELIABLE.... nuff said'

And i personally am running 35k strong with no problems whatsoever

[Sabretooth]

46k here, no major issues to date, only problem I had was a crankshaft sensor at >100 miles

[AlexNet0]

64k here, no problems

[SailDesign]

Just because they rate the Yaris badly they are a joke? In fact not even badly just worse than other Toyotas...

I would hope that the least reliable Toyota would be the cheapest car they make. If I paid for a more expensive model and it was less reliable then I wouldn't be very happy with Toyota.

You're right. But - I still reckon they are jokes because it seems there is very little real objective work done by CR to come to their conclusions. JD Power at least seems to do some kind of survey, but still comes to strange conclusions.

[ddongbap]

Again with the QQing.

[ddongbap]

well lets see.... Seeing there is a guy here that has.... 300,000miles+++++ in 2 years on his yaris, and he says all he did was regular maintenance of worn items... im thinking the yaris... IS NOT UNRELIABLE.... nuff said'

And i personally am running 35k strong with no problems whatsoever

One exception doesn't disprove the rule. Not saying that the Yaris isn't, but, yea.

[TheRealEnth]

One exception doesn't disprove the rule. Not saying that the Yaris isn't, but, yea.
well i guess time will tell =)

[MadMax]

What a coincidence! I rated J.D Powers as the least reliable source for information on cars!

J.D. Powers and Consumer Reports are black propaganda tools, and anyone looking to get reliable and accurate information out of either is going to be very disappointed.

Again, I read several hundred owner's reports on the Yaris and never saw anything that indicated that the car was unreliable. Nor have I seen any sufficient evidence on this forum to the same. There is always an exception to every rule, but for the most part I wouldn't worry about this so-called "report."

[Sabretooth]

Owner of JD Powers musta bought his daughter a Yaris, and she never changed the oil, then it broke...Hence the horrible reliability rating.

[Yaris Hilton]

Just a thought, I wonder how buyer demographics affect car reliability? I'd expect a small economy car more likely to be owned by students, younger and lower income adults might receive less attention to maintenance and general "pampering" than a more upscale car more likely to be owned by older, more affluent people. I'd expect the less powerful little car to get driven harder relative to its maximum capabilities on average, as well.

[Astroman]

Honestly im not the easiest on my yaris, and it's given me zero issues in over 62k miles. The ONLY issues I've had were due to the dealership doing a crap job putting my interior back together when it had fireworks thrown in it. Not the cars fault, and I turned plenty away from that dealership.

[Bob Dog]

J.D. Powers suggested the gen two Neon was the best car in its classs.

[highwaypass]

i don't know much about them,but once i saw in my dealer,here in my country,JD Power named toyota as the most reliable brand.

[IsLNdbOi]

JD and CR will give anything a good rating if you pay them.

[SilverBack]

Once again, the review is total :bs:

JD, CR, and similar groups don't represent anything or anyone, therefore they can't be trusted. Word of mouth only through people who own or have owned a Yaris can tell you the real story (as already proven in this thread by so many). We're talking up to 3 years (up to 10 for 1st gen. owners) of Yaris ownership compared to a sponsored 2-hour test drive. So who are you more likely to believe?

Oh yeah, I've had mine for a year as of yesterday. I'm almost at 20K miles, driving hard and fast at times, keeping up with maintenance and still no problems. There's your review :thumbsup:

[tuckevalastin]

I hate to tell you guys but as die hard Yaris owners and fans your reviews of the Yaris are not any less biased...

Also many of you still don't understand that saying something is Toyota's least reliable car is not the same as saying something is unreliable.

[SilverBack]

It's not so much a question of reliability as it as about long-term experiences of owning the car.

JD and CR are jumping to conclusions based on quick drives and reviews. Actual ownership in reality is the best way to determine and report the ups and downs of the car, IMO

I would be more likely to believe someone working for JD or CR if he or she actually owned a Yaris for a while, not just taking it for a spin

[Dave]

Actual ownership in reality is the best way to determine and report the ups and downs of the car, IMO


Agreed. When I was shopping for a car last year, I spent more time looking at Edmunds' forums and specific vehicle forums (like this one) than I did reading formal reviews/reports.

Take a look at the ratings and reviews on the Edmunds' site to see what owners think of the Yaris; 9.3/10, based on almost 350 reviews (taken from '07 model year). Pretty good, I'd say. And it got a Recommended/Best Buy/whatever from the 2009 Lemon-Aid guide as well, which is largely based on owner feedback.

It's been said before, and I'll say it again, I think critics like to rag on the Yaris because it isn't the rolling living room they've become accustomed to.

[Thirty-Nine]

One thing to keep in mind with J.D. Power is that with a lot of their surveys, they don't qualify the "problem" with the car. That means a broken cup holder gets the same weight as a blown engine. At least that's the way it is with the initial quality studies if I remember correctly. A problem is a problem to their surveys.

Plus, keep in mind: How unreliable is the least reliable Toyota?

Is the least reliable Toyota still better than the mid-level Chevrolet? Just something to fuel the fire. :smile:

[MUSKOKA800]

How does J.D. Power make money? Who commissions their surveys?
Surely whomever pays the bills get a favourable rating. Toyota's cheque must have been lost in the airmail.

Consumers Reports does independant testing and monitors subscribers feedback all funded by expensive subcriptions and news stand sales without selling advertising which could bias their opinions (eg. Motor Trend "car/joke of the year").

IMO CR holds much more credibility than J.D. Power.

[frownonfun]

I hate to tell you guys but as die hard Yaris owners and fans your reviews of the Yaris are not any less biased...

Also many of you still don't understand that saying something is Toyota's least reliable car is not the same as saying something is unreliable.


im with you on this one... every company has to have a least reliable...makes sense that toyota's least expensive would be their least reliable. i mean cmon do you want them to say, "every car at toyota is equally reliable and will never fail you in any way, ever."

[supmet]

Look out your window - that's the only survey you need, and the only one that isn't bought out. I see tons of old toyotas, hondas, subarus, mercedes. I see FAR fewer old hyundais, kias, and american cars.

dodge neon being reliable.. that's funny.

[voodoo22]

Just a thought, I wonder how buyer demographics affect car reliability? I'd expect a small economy car more likely to be owned by students, younger and lower income adults might receive less attention to maintenance and general "pampering" than a more upscale car more likely to be owned by older, more affluent people. I'd expect the less powerful little car to get driven harder relative to its maximum capabilities on average, as well.

While your point is valid the Yaris owner whom I know who treats his car the worst makes over 200k a year. One time I checked his PSI because his tire was unbelievable low and he was running at just over 20psi. I pumped him up to 35 and wow, he got better FE. He also quite often goes twice the recommended interval between oil changes, because he doesn't care and if the car dies he'll just get another one. So far he as over 70k on it with no issues except some rust because he never washes it summer or winter.

[JBougie]

This is the most reliable unreliable car I've ever owned.

43k now and 0 issues to date; taken it cross country 4 times and to and from Mt Rushmore - no problems at all.

Who cares what they say .... there has to be a "most reliable" and a "most unreliable" out of every class ... everyone just needs to remember "unreliable" in Toyota language is COMPLETELY different than "unreliable" in GM language lol

[tuckevalastin]

Look out your window - that's the only survey you need, and the only one that isn't bought out. I see tons of old toyotas, hondas, subarus, mercedes. I see FAR fewer old hyundais, kias, and american cars.

dodge neon being reliable.. that's funny.



I dunno where you live but that is nothing like what I see out my window. Unless by old you mean less than ten years old

[talnlnky]

28k - 1 problem, leaking axel seal.... tho i'm pretty sure I know when it happen, and if so, can't blame it for failing... was doing some stuff I shouldn't have.... gravel/dirt logging roads - camping trip thing... yeah.. nuff said.

Still even running stock tires... expect to get another 15-20K miles out of them too. front tires are good, backs are starting to get worn (just rotated)