German cars 'among worst for engine failures', Honda most reliable
01-19-2013, 11:48 AM
#1
brahs be jelly
Thread Starter
German cars 'among worst for engine failures', Honda most reliable
Audi, BMW, and VW ranked in the bottom 10 of a study into engine reliability.
German-made cars are not as reliable as many believe, according to new research. Warranty Direct has studied its claims data to compile a list of the manufacturers with the most reliable engines - and Audi, BMW and Volkswagen all finished in the bottom 10 out of a total 36 makers.
In fact, the only firm whose cars had a worse engine failure rate than Audi was MG Rover. MINI wasn’t much better, finishing third from bottom, while its parent company BMW came seventh from bottom. And, despite its reputation for rock-solid reliability, Volkswagen came ninth from bottom.
Honda scooped the gold medal – the study found that just one in every 344 Honda engines failed, compared to one in every 27 Audi engines. Despite its recent recall woes, Toyota came second and Mercedes managed to outperform its fellow German brands with a respectable third-place finish.
Duncan McClure, Warranty Direct Managing Director, said that engine failures are the worst for motorists as they’re the repairs that can lead to the highest costs because of the parts and hours of labour required to fix them: “The nuber of failures may be low compared to areas such as axle and suspension damage but engine repairs almost always result in costs reaching the thousands for motorists who aren’t covered by a warranty.”
An engine failure on a Range Rover Vogue recently led to Warranty Direct’s highest ever claim of £13,000.
Top 5 manufacturers
Manufacturer Failure rate (%) Failure rate (1 in x)
1 Honda 0.29% 1 in 344
2 Toyota 0.58% 1 in 171
3 Mercedes 0.84% 1 in 119
4 Volvo 0.90% 1 in 111
5 Jaguar 0.98% 1 in 103
Bottom 5 manufacturers
Manufacturer Failure rate (%) Failure rate (1 in x)
1 MG Rover 7.88% 1 in 13
2 Audi 3.71% 1 in 27
3 MINI 2.51% 1 in 40
4 Saab 2.49% 1 in 40
5 Vauxhall 2.46% 1 in 41
German-made cars are not as reliable as many believe, according to new research. Warranty Direct has studied its claims data to compile a list of the manufacturers with the most reliable engines - and Audi, BMW and Volkswagen all finished in the bottom 10 out of a total 36 makers.
In fact, the only firm whose cars had a worse engine failure rate than Audi was MG Rover. MINI wasn’t much better, finishing third from bottom, while its parent company BMW came seventh from bottom. And, despite its reputation for rock-solid reliability, Volkswagen came ninth from bottom.
Honda scooped the gold medal – the study found that just one in every 344 Honda engines failed, compared to one in every 27 Audi engines. Despite its recent recall woes, Toyota came second and Mercedes managed to outperform its fellow German brands with a respectable third-place finish.
Duncan McClure, Warranty Direct Managing Director, said that engine failures are the worst for motorists as they’re the repairs that can lead to the highest costs because of the parts and hours of labour required to fix them: “The nuber of failures may be low compared to areas such as axle and suspension damage but engine repairs almost always result in costs reaching the thousands for motorists who aren’t covered by a warranty.”
An engine failure on a Range Rover Vogue recently led to Warranty Direct’s highest ever claim of £13,000.
Top 5 manufacturers
Manufacturer Failure rate (%) Failure rate (1 in x)
1 Honda 0.29% 1 in 344
2 Toyota 0.58% 1 in 171
3 Mercedes 0.84% 1 in 119
4 Volvo 0.90% 1 in 111
5 Jaguar 0.98% 1 in 103
Bottom 5 manufacturers
Manufacturer Failure rate (%) Failure rate (1 in x)
1 MG Rover 7.88% 1 in 13
2 Audi 3.71% 1 in 27
3 MINI 2.51% 1 in 40
4 Saab 2.49% 1 in 40
5 Vauxhall 2.46% 1 in 41
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01-19-2013, 12:47 PM
#3
Rooting for Acura
iTrader: (1)
"German-made cars are not as reliable as many believe" - Who believes that??
I'd be interested to know what is meant by "engine failures", for instance, how many miles are we talking about? Also, it's the other little things that break on vehicles that matters. Show me the list of the car with the least amount of little things that break, squeak or wear prematurely.
I'd be interested to know what is meant by "engine failures", for instance, how many miles are we talking about? Also, it's the other little things that break on vehicles that matters. Show me the list of the car with the least amount of little things that break, squeak or wear prematurely.
01-19-2013, 07:29 PM
#4
The Third Ball
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German engines are mainly computers now with lots invested in FI tech...so yes, they'll be prone to more issues over time.
Audi/VW 1.8T had the coil pack issue...not a huge deal
BMW...early VANOS cars had issues...now the early turbo models have had fuel pump problems.
Mercedes are electronic nightmares if you get a bad one.
Big deal...other automakers have their shortcomings in other areas.
Audi/VW 1.8T had the coil pack issue...not a huge deal
BMW...early VANOS cars had issues...now the early turbo models have had fuel pump problems.
Mercedes are electronic nightmares if you get a bad one.
Big deal...other automakers have their shortcomings in other areas.
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01-19-2013, 07:47 PM
#5
Safety Car
Honda's engines are awesome...trannsmissions..not so much.
01-19-2013, 07:58 PM
#6
Team Owner
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Interesting.....
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MTEAZY (01-19-2013)
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01-19-2013, 09:12 PM
#8
Senior Moderator
Id really like to see the same thing but with auto transmissions. Bet Honda would still be 1st. First for worst 
01-19-2013, 09:14 PM
#9
Senior Moderator
01-19-2013, 09:27 PM
#10
Senior Moderator
Are Japanese Honda transmissions prone to failure or just the NA ones? For instance, RL and TSX vs TL, CL, and Accords built in Marysville?
01-19-2013, 11:25 PM
#11
The Third Ball
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The failures were coming from a vendor and pertained to specific transmissions...I believe (but I could be wrong) those transmission were built in Japan or somewhere else and shipped to the states for assembly.
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oo7spy (01-19-2013)
01-20-2013, 12:06 AM
#13
Senior Moderator
I noticed that Honda had 2nd place doubled by the measure used here.
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oo7spy (01-20-2013)
01-20-2013, 06:58 AM
#15
99 TL, 06 E350
Honda = Nokia cell phones
I have seen so many Audi/VW cars broken down that I have to agree with these findings.
That's sad when a newer model is already reporting engine failure.
I have seen so many Audi/VW cars broken down that I have to agree with these findings.
That's sad when a newer model is already reporting engine failure.
An engine failure on a Range Rover Vogue recently led to Warranty Direct’s highest ever claim of £13,000.
Last edited by Black Tire; 01-20-2013 at 07:03 AM.
01-20-2013, 07:43 AM
#17
Senior Moderator
All I know is the AAA activity on route 18 in central NJ seems to peak during Waterfest weekend @ Etown. 
01-20-2013, 11:51 AM
#18
Rich and Famous
Strange but true on German Cars Engines and Transmissions.
Many trans are made by Borg Warner.
The first gen MDX's {01 - 03} had glass transmissions but to my knowledge
there has been no problem w 2nd gen 6AT.
Another real problem w German is the labor rate.
Just give me apple strudel ..
Many trans are made by Borg Warner.
The first gen MDX's {01 - 03} had glass transmissions but to my knowledge
there has been no problem w 2nd gen 6AT.
Another real problem w German is the labor rate.
Just give me apple strudel ..
01-20-2013, 11:57 AM
#19
אני עומד עם ישראל
01-20-2013, 12:36 PM
#21
Moderator
01-20-2013, 02:04 PM
#22
brahs be jelly
Thread Starter
:ghey: The 2.0 Ecoboost is not a bad engine. Although the new 1.6 Ecoboost has had 3 or 4 fire recalls since launch.
01-20-2013, 02:21 PM
#23
Moderator
01-20-2013, 07:04 PM
#24
Senior Moderator
2nd gear clutch packs anyone? Remember that?
Edit: I should search for the old threads on that just for shits and giggles. This forum was one tool in bringing change.
Back on topic, yeah, Honda engines are darned near indesructible as long as you take care of them properly.
Last edited by neuronbob; 01-20-2013 at 07:09 PM.
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Sarlacc (01-20-2013)
01-20-2013, 07:26 PM
#25
But Audi is the reason everyone praises lambos for being so reliable now.
You like what cars you like and no facts or convincing will ever change people's stubborn biased minds. This is all engrained into people at a young age like religion is.
You like what cars you like and no facts or convincing will ever change people's stubborn biased minds. This is all engrained into people at a young age like religion is.
01-20-2013, 07:39 PM
#26
Well thats only 3 German makes, and a lot of the problems pertaining to BMW are probably due to the fuel pump failures in their turbos, as far as i know, their NA engines are rock solid, as well as the stunning v8 in the current m3.
Benz and Porsche are the most reliable among all brands as it seems.
Benz and Porsche are the most reliable among all brands as it seems.
01-20-2013, 10:47 PM
#27
Senior Moderator
The problematic 5ATs were made in Japan by Aisin, if memory serves. Many of us (you included) were around in the bad old glass tranny days of the 2G TL and the early days of the 3G TL. I still remember the 2G TL owner who reported his problems to the LA Times, after posting here, which is what finally got Honda's attention on the issue.
2nd gear clutch packs anyone? Remember that?
Edit: I should search for the old threads on that just for shits and giggles. This forum was one tool in bringing change.
Back on topic, yeah, Honda engines are darned near indesructible as long as you take care of them properly.
2nd gear clutch packs anyone? Remember that?
Edit: I should search for the old threads on that just for shits and giggles. This forum was one tool in bringing change.
Back on topic, yeah, Honda engines are darned near indesructible as long as you take care of them properly.
Also it seems as though there are issues with the 6 speed in the 4gtl popping up
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neuronbob (01-21-2013)
01-21-2013, 04:15 PM
#28
The sizzle in the Steak
01-21-2013, 06:44 PM
#30
Senior Moderator
01-22-2013, 07:36 AM
#32
99 TL, 06 E350
Isn't this a engine failure thread? How did it become a tranny thread?
In any other thread, this would be off topic.
In any other thread, this would be off topic.
01-22-2013, 08:11 AM
#33
brahs be jelly
Thread Starter
01-22-2013, 08:36 AM
#34
Senior Moderator
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Black Tire (01-22-2013)
01-22-2013, 08:38 AM
#35
Not Registered
I'd bet most engine failures are caused by the owner and not the car. This is a worldwide article and most of where these cars are sold, I bet they run them into the ground and don't take care of them like they should.
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PortlandRL (01-22-2013)
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MTEAZY (01-22-2013)
01-22-2013, 09:02 AM
#37
Three Wheelin'
Well when the listings for the worst trannies come up you guys can jump all over it. Honda just can't do anything right with some of these guys. You can make up all of the excuses you want but when Honda engines are more than 2 times the next best I think deserve some kudos.
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01-22-2013, 10:08 AM
#38
Senior Moderator
01-22-2013, 10:10 AM
#39
Senior Moderator
Well when the listings for the worst trannies come up you guys can jump all over it. Honda just can't do anything right with some of these guys. You can make up all of the excuses you want but when Honda engines are more than 2 times the next best I think deserve some kudos.
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ttribe (01-22-2013)
01-22-2013, 11:07 AM
#40
Three Wheelin'
Audi/VW 1.8T actually had a major oil sludge problem - just google it. I know because i had a passat 1.8T and the shop that i went to for parts worked on nothing but audi and vw and they told me that the 1.8T motor was really bad with the sludge issue and they saw it on a regular basis.
Aldo my buddy's dad is a tow truck driver and he said that most cars that brake down on the road that de deals with everyay are audi / vw and all years and models. He said sometimes he get 6+ audi's and vw's per day.
but you like you said they all have their weak points
Aldo my buddy's dad is a tow truck driver and he said that most cars that brake down on the road that de deals with everyay are audi / vw and all years and models. He said sometimes he get 6+ audi's and vw's per day.
but you like you said they all have their weak points
German engines are mainly computers now with lots invested in FI tech...so yes, they'll be prone to more issues over time.
Audi/VW 1.8T had the coil pack issue...not a huge deal
BMW...early VANOS cars had issues...now the early turbo models have had fuel pump problems.
Mercedes are electronic nightmares if you get a bad one.
Big deal...other automakers have their shortcomings in other areas.
Audi/VW 1.8T had the coil pack issue...not a huge deal
BMW...early VANOS cars had issues...now the early turbo models have had fuel pump problems.
Mercedes are electronic nightmares if you get a bad one.
Big deal...other automakers have their shortcomings in other areas.