In late 2005 I started conducting my own reliability research. I'm reporting absolute stats like "times in the shop" that will make the differences between cars much clearer. Relative ratings obscure too much--how large is the difference between "better than average" and "worse than average"? I’ll also be updating results four times a year, so there will be information on new models sooner.

I've started collecting data on the Yaris, Fit, and Versa, but not the small Scions, because too few xB owners have signed up to participate. I'm about 2/3 of the way to the minimum needed to get started for the 2005, and just three short for the 2006-2006.5. So I hope to start collecting data on the latter in October.

Participants simply report repairs the month after they occur on a one-page survey. When there are no repairs, they simply report an approximate odometer reading four times a year, at the end of each quarter.

To encourage participation, panel members will receive full access to the results free of charge.

Details: Vehicle reliability research

Comments, questions, and suggestions welcome.

 

lol. you were gonna charge people for these results? you do know that edmunds and consumer reports gives the info out for free right ?

 

First of all, the results will be free to those who help provide the data.

Second, Edmunds doesn't provide reliability info.

Third, CR charges for access to their results. Head over the consumerreports.org and see how much info you can get without buying a membership.

Finally, my information will be much better than CRs. For one thing, my results will average about ten months "fresher" than theirs, with quarterly rather than annual updates. Do you want to know how reliable a car was a year ago, or how reliable it's been lately?

My critique of their approach here:

Consumer Reports critique

 

Well I have only had my B for a little over a month and had to go to the dealer twice so far just hit 2000 miles. I think the initial problems are now solved.
1. Some belt noise squel in the AC Belt
2. Check engine light came on Cam position sensor was bad.

 

I've got an 06 xA, PM me if you need anything.

 

We have 2 xB's...
both are a year or so old. ('06.5)
have not had ANY ISSUES as of yet.
pm me if needed

 

Good to see you on the forums, Michael! I've been reporting my gas mileage on your site for a while now. No service visits yet and hopefully none to come.

Oh, and feel free to ignore the obligatory smartasses on here. In only 2 months of ownership I've already noticed that some members love to post negative comments about everything.

 

I've had mine for over a year now with 33k miles on it. I drive it 80 miles a day (work commute) and have never had it in the shop. It has the normal cheap car creaks, squeeks, pops and pings but it's holding up pretty good so far. The paint sucks though and does not stand up to highway rock chips well at all...

 

I had the same problem but after 5k miles

 

I have about 3200 miles on my 2006 RS4 and the a/c compressor internally blew apart with the bolts holding it on the a/c mount were backed off and able to see threads. they gave me a free rent-a-car after three days, I was back on the road.

 

My xB was built OCT2004, I purchased it JAN2005 - no problems requiring any service other than one insured repair of vandalism.

 

Bought mine Aug. '06, now have 25,000 miles, oil changed religiously at 5,000 mile intervals, and no issues here (other than the usual requisite squeaks, pitted windshield, etc. ).
Great mileage, handles great (with some aftermarket help), and dependable as the morning sun!

 

ok i got a 05 with 87000 mls never been on the shop for repairs just regular mainance tires brakes and oil changes

 

A bit over halfway to the minimum for the 2005, and still looking for more owners for all model years. It would be especially nice to have quick results for the new 2008.

Results were recently posted for a few dozen other models:

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

 

Your access to this data is limited, and will not be representitive of actual reability. Consumer reports has a huge customer base in which to collect this data. thier customer base is approx 6.7 million which about 1.3 million respond to those surveys.
Interesting you want to charge people for your limited info.

 

This just happened to my 06.. with 3683 miles on it.. A/C compressor said "BOOM!"

 

Hmmmmmm... Living in a cooler, very wet part of the country, my A/C is running just about every time the engine is on - either with the defroster (automatically comes on) or cooling the interior when it's warm out. That means warm or cold the A/C is running, and has been since January of 2005. No problems.

Did they give either of you any hint as to what went wrong with yours?

Tom

 

i will know tomarrow, it was off when it went, besides the fact
i rarely used it at all.. so, i dont know, but when it went, it
sounded like my car got hit with a bat, then you could hear
the shattering pieces hitting the road, windows were down

 

Proud original owner of my box since July of 2004. 45,000 miles and nothing gone bad! PM if you need anything.

 

heres the update (posted in original topic for my a/c issue.. copied to here)