JD Power conducted its Initial Quality Study (IQS) in August 2021 to find out the most reliable and quality car brands in the industry. While RAM, Dodge, and Lexus emerged on top, Chrysler
ranked as the worst car brand in the industry. For a car company established in 1925, one would be justified to ask: why is Chrysler quality so bad? Chrysler's quality issues began several years back, but the American automaker has plans to rebuild its reputation by manufacturing EVs, which will compete with other EV options like the Chevy Bolt, Ford Mach-E, and Tesla Model Y. Meanwhile, let's find out why Chrysler falls short in the quality scale, and how you could save hundreds on your car insurance
. Why is Chrysler Quality So Bad?
JD Power based its study on the number of problems per 100 cars (PP100) experienced during the first 90 days of ownership, surveying over 3,000 cars. Following the PP100 selection criterion, it meant that the higher the score a brand had, the lower the quality. The industry's overall average score is 162, while Chrysler scored an eyebrow-raising 251 PP100. Why?
Chrysler's quality issues have plagued its models for several years. There were safety concerns with the automaker's 2016 Town and Country minivan, as the car's power sliding doors wouldn't open. That compelled Chrysler to discontinue it in 2016.
Another major issue that tarnished Chrysler's quality was the poor usability of tech features, such as OEM apps, smartphone connectivity, and touch-free trunk/hatch operation.
The discontinuation of certain models leaves Chrysler with only three models in the market: the Pacifica, Voyager minivans, and the Chrysler 300 sedan. While the latter got better reviews in JD Power's IQS, it wasn't enough to salvage the brand's dipping reputation. As noted on MotorBiscuit
, Chrysler plans to discontinue the 300 sedan in 2023. Why does Chrysler build poor-quality cars?
Stellantis North America is the company that owns Chrysler and other renowned car brands, such as RAM, Dodge, Jeep, and Fiat.
If Stellantis owns Dodge, Jeep, and RAM—which got better scores for quality—it's quite disturbing that Chrysler makes headlines for all the wrong reasons. One of the major factors affecting the brand's quality is perhaps because the company has changed ownership hands in the last three decades. The new owners find it challenging to incorporate the Chrysler brand, leading to low-quality builds.
As a result, most models sold by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles come with a range of problems. For instance, Fiat ranked lowest in 2020 on the reliability scale, according to Consumer Reports. The cars suffered wide-ranging problems, including transmission woes, poor safety, potential fire hazard, and corrosion issues that resulted in the recall of 240,000 Jeep Liberty and 12,500 Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUVs in 2018.
MORE: What Is the Most Reliable Luxury Car?
Stellantis' strategic plan to revamp Chrysler's reputation
The Chrysler 300 earned a promising score in JD Power's IQS because of its engine (5.7-liter HEMI V8). However, the car manufacturer plans to discontinue it in 2023. That means Chrysler doesn't necessarily make crap cars. It's because other brands manufacture better cars with enhanced performance that Chrysler models can't match. But there's hope for the downtrodden car company.
Stellantis plans to restore Chrysler's lost glory by investing in technologies to maximize the company's EV-producing capabilities. The first Chrysler EV crossover—known as the Airflow—will make its market debut in 2025. It's expected to deliver 400 miles of range, and Chrysler claims the car will feature Level 3 autonomous driving capability, bringing competition to the Tesla Y and Ford Mach-E.
With only three models on the market, Chrysler will soon risk slipping into dim, obscure memory. Stellantis' plans to revamp the brand couldn't come at a better time. The move not only preserves the brand's value and history, but it also diversifies Chrysler's product lineup.
MORE: The Most Reliable American Brand Isn't Ford or Chevy
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