We’ve updated the stats from TrueDelta’s Car Reliability Survey to cover through the end of September, 2012. For information on how cars have been holding up through the past summer and fall, there is no other source.
So, what’s new? We have our first full result for a 2013 model, the Mazda CX-7. Few have required any repairs so far. We came within a response or two of having a full result for the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ. Through the end of September they were looking better than average. But enough owners have recently reported problems with tail light condensation and a chirping fuel pump that their score will worsen with future updates. If no further problems creep up they’ll have middling-to-poor scores for a few quarters, after which they could regain a better-than-average stat.
Among 2012s, the Volkswagen Jetta and Passat have improved enough that they’re now about average. Earlier repairs largely involved trim and rattles. Meanwhile, the FIAT 500 has worsened in recent months. So far this has only taken it from better than average to about average, but if the recent repair frequency continues they’ll fall below average.
We’ve yet to have a single repair reported for the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, or Toyota Prius, with 47, 28, and 37 owners participating, respectively. The redesigned Honda Civic, Hyundai Accent, and Subaru Impreza have been nearly as flaw-free. The Toyota Camry and Hyundai Veloster have required repairs a little more often, but are also clearly better than average. More of a surprise: the all-new Audi A6 and A7 have been as glitch-free as the Camry and Veloster.
In the next grouping, the Ford Focus and Chevrolet Sonic are both about average. Finally, no 2012s for which we have at least 25 responses are substantially worse than average.
For a “sad face” you’ll have to go back to the 2011 model year, where you’ll find two, for the Infiniti M (experiencing the sort of glitches people expect from Audis) and the MINI Cooper (common problem with the thermostat). Some first-year common problems with the air suspension and panoramic sunroof behind it, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has improved to about average. You’ll find more sad faces among older cars, especially European ones.