Quote: “I wonder who J.D. Powers and CR questions about their stats?”
Well, I can’t speak about J.D. Power, but I can tell you that subscribers to CR receive an annual questionnaire regarding their cars, washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, power lawn mowers, etc.
And, I can tell you that what I have reported over the years has been reflected very similarly in the overall statistics that CR publishes on those very products. My Chevy Citation had exactly the same problem areas as were noted in the CR ratings. My GE dishwasher was just as unreliable as CR found from their survey.
My experiences with a Taurus, a Honda and with 2 Subarus are also amazing similar to what was reported regarding those makes of cars. Obviously not everyone will experience the same problems with their vehicles of the same make, but the similarity between my own reporting of problems and what was published by CR is amazing.
I agree with all of N55s comments and also believe that perception plays a big part in these discussions.
For those who did not know, J.D. Power was caught taking payola about 15 years ago to bump up the “praise factor” on Subarus.
This made national press, a few lambs were sacrified to look good, and no one remembers any of that farce now.
Perception also plays a part with Consumer Reports too. CR works on donations and one should ask where those donations are coming from.
This young faculty member who drove the BMW was obviously smarter than I am. I’ve been teaching in a University for 40 years and the best I’ve been able to do is a Chevrolet. Fortunately, I had finished most of my courswork when I honked and waved while he tried to start his BMW.