Dodge named one of the least reliable brands, and the Challenger named worst Dodge (Durango is the best Dodge). Separately, of the 20 "least reliable cars" of 2015, the Challenger was number 14 (#1 is the Fiat 500L). Major issues cited were the Transmission, Engine, noise, and leaks.
*this is from the Dec 2015 issue of consumer reports.
Maybe they should start rating these vehicles on how much excitement they bring to the owner. If that was the case, all of the Japanese manufacturers would be dead last. Lets face it, how exciting is a Corolla. Of course nothing breaks on a Honda or Toyota because they're simple cars. I think that owners of domestic vehicles ***** more than Lexus, Porsche, Mercedes etc.. owners because they bought a performance car at a bargain and want to ensure their money is protected. The other owners of those vehicles I mentioned lease their cars and couldn't give a crap on reliablity because in 3 years, it becomes someone else's problem. Just look at the resale value on those cars...
I owned two Honda Accords from back in the heyday of the Japanese made auto - 1987 Lx and a 1991 Ex. Both were pure trash. Transmission issues, bad brakes, failed water pump, electrical issues, peeling paint, etc. The Lx was owned for four years and the Ex was owned for two. I've bought German, Ford, and Mopar since then and combined, they have far fewer problems than one of those Honda Accords.
I just passed 80K miles on the odometer last night. I've had exactly ONE issue with this car in that time. 100's of hours of good drives, dozens of compliments from total strangers.
Funny, I was thinking just the opposite!
I seem to notice a lot more issues with the manuals and very little with the A8. Then there's the guys that super-charge the engines and put a lot more power through the trans then it was designed for - and they seem to be ok.
I was a bit leery of those transmissions in general but after reading all the reviews of them in our cars and much higher end cars I was sold.
I guess it's all in the perspective.
My FIL was an awesome guy, WWII vet, but only bought used rental cars, American used rental cars. Probably the first and last time I'll sit in an Olds Acheiva...RIP.
I don't use CR for toasters or appliances . The reviews on Amazon are much more informative and real world for that kind of stuff. CR is a dying business model, look at how many here don't use it...
Just thinking from the top of my head but could dealer experience affect these rating on a major scale? Most of the members here (including myself) had a bad experience with CJD dealers. I think that would encourage owners to post reviews about the car.
Owners may get very frustrated when their cars have to visit the dealer 4-5 times for a single job like a valve body replacement that should have been done in the first place. That's 4-5 times where the "same issue" is recorded on CR's due to dealer's not being co-operative. These things tend to happen especially with a recent introduction of a redesign/refresh. Dealer experience is
I don't have a subscription on CR so I can't read details, but isn't the review based on average of the last 5 years of ownership? The '15s and '16s are totally new in many aspects, so I wonder to what extent the CR guys are just smoking too much.
Crap. I guess I better get the "Limo tint" or just start walking for my (s)miles. Can't have folks identifying me as "the guy" who drives an unreliable car.
I can't even imagine pulling into a gas station now! LMFAO
Being caught in a Challenger now would be as bad as being seen with a Supermodel, and having to tell folks that she can't cook
But seriously folks... if you're buying a car based on consumer reports, it would be the same as you buying a medication being sponsored by a politician who is being paid by that pharmaceutical company.
If you want to buy cars based on what is more relative, ask people who own them. Not the ones that sit behind computers judging them.
Funny... The two years (the only 2 years) that CR said to stay away from was 2012 and 2015.... The rest of the model years are good to go....apparently.
My father in law encourages me to buy a honda because they are reliable. He does not watch football and bases all his decisions on CR recommendations as he is risk averse.
I will be a much better father in law as long as my daughters come home with a guy who will drink beer, yell during football games and know the difference between a 454 and a 440.
Unfortunately most young guys think an accord or civic 4 door is a cool car.
At best you can hope they like beer since not all like sports either.
Remember the old days when men were manly?
I'm just glad that now, when someone tells me how much nicer the '15's interior is, I can say "At least I can enjoy my old interior while driving down the road and not just sitting in the garage in your unreliable car".
How many of those complaints are from new Challenger owners who weren't aware of the Hemi Tick? Almost every person that has ridden in my Scat Pack has commented on the ticking sound, it's that noticeable. When I tell them it's just the Hemi Tick the responses I get are varied, but mostly it's I'd take it back to the dealer a new car shouldn't sound like that...
Well,I think I have you all beat-I have a 2015 Chrysler 200,which CR says is the worse car Chrysler makes and I also have a 2015 SRT Challenger which is the worse car Dodge makes LOL
Well.... I read reviews before I buy just about anything. I use as many sources as possible.
And for what it's worth, CR loved the '13 & '14 R/T Classics for they're handling, comfort, and reliability.
I have a 2014 R/T Classic... I did not upgrade to a 2015, and never had a plan to. Like many others, I don't feel that the transition from the Diamler parts to Fiat parts is an improvement.
It's too soon to tell how the new Italian aluminum suspension components wear, but I have a hunch that they weren't meant for a 4300 lbs car. Kinda like when the Army kept slapping more and more armor on the HMMWV chassy. If you've driven a M998A1 and a M1151, you know what I'm talking about. The suspension (even the modified one) just was designed to handle that kind of weight. Enter the MRAP.