Audi at the Bottom of Car Quality Rankings: American Buyers Speak Out!
J.D. Power just released the results of its 39th Initial Quality Study (IQS) for the US market, and guess what? Audi is dead last! Yes, you read that right — Audi scored a shocking 250 problems per 100 vehicles in the first 90 days of ownership. That’s a disaster for a brand that prides itself on being premium.
How does the study work?
The IQS surveys new car buyers about their experiences during the first 90 days of ownership. This year, 92,000 customers participated, reporting issues with engines, infotainment systems, interior quality, and more.
Who’s on top, who’s at the bottom?
Lexus once again topped the charts with only 181 problems per 100 vehicles, while many other premium brands like Volvo and Infiniti performed much worse. Infiniti, the luxury counterpart to Nissan, landed near the bottom with 243 problems, whereas Nissan, a mainstream brand, took second place with just 196 problems.
What about the others?
Jaguar ranked 4th, Buick 9th, Genesis 10th, and Porsche 13th. The only brand with more problems than Audi was Rivian, but it was excluded from the final ranking due to not meeting criteria. Tesla, Cadillac, and Toyota also had surprisingly poor results, with Tesla reporting 226 problems, on par with Cadillac and Toyota.
What does this mean for buyers?
J.D. Power highlights that luxury cars generally have more problems than mass-market brands, and new models tend to have more defects than established ones. Complex plug-in hybrids are especially prone to issues.
Audi admits the flaws
Audi didn’t stay silent. Oscar Silva Martins, head of communications and technology, admitted that quality, especially interior quality, was better in the past and promised to bring it back to the level customers expect.
The bottom line
If you thought buying an Audi meant luxury without headaches, think again! With 250 problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is firmly at the bottom of the US quality rankings. Lexus and Nissan prove it can be done better, while Tesla and Toyota surprise with poor results. Is it time to stop blindly trusting premium brands?
So, what about you? Had a bad experience with Audi or another luxury car? Or maybe you’re one of the lucky Lexus owners? Drop a comment and let’s see who’s really right!
