For years people have been critical of car reliability surveys for not weighting problems by their severity.

TrueDelta has had a couple of questions that touch upon severity. One asked if the car had to be towed. Another asked if the car could have been dependably driven for another week. But fewer than ten percent of reported repairs have been severe by this measure. Without larger sample sizes, we haven’t been able to do anything with it.

Recently a member suggested a more graduated measure of severity, based on FMEA analysis. Based on this suggestion, the survey will now replace the previous two questions with this one:

How severe was the problem?

Car had to be towed

Car performance impaired, could not be dependably driven for another week

Car performance impaired, could be dependably driven for another week
–includes slow fluid leaks, engine light with no severe symptoms

Feature necessary for comfort or safety totally not working
–such as anti-lock brakes, airbags, AC, power window stuck open

Major feature totally not working
–such as power windows, power locks, entire audio system
–includes water leaks into interior

Major feature working, but not well or every time

Minor or infrequently used feature malfunctioning

Rattle or appearance problem most people notice

Rattle or appearance problem most people don’t notice

So, what do you think? Should nearly everyone be able to answer this without much effort? Or will it be more extra trouble than the information will be worth?