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.

From the start I've had excellent participation from Chrysler LX owners. 115 are currently signed up for the 2006 model year alone. But I'm short on 2007s, and more would be very helpful for all years.

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

Details: Vehicle reliability research

For both 2005 and 2006 the number of repair trips per year for the 300, Charger, and Magnum has been in the 0.8 to 0.9 range. Worse than average, but much lower than your typical Honda owner would think. There hasn't been an improvement for the second model year, as is often the case.

Comments, questions, and suggestions welcome.

 

Results will be updated in a few weeks for the 2005 and the 2006. Still not enough 2007s enrolled.

 

Looking at the raw results now, not much change. Aiming for mid-August.

 

Updated results for about 65 models in a few weeks. Have the 2006 Charger among them, but still not enough 2007s.

 

Those results were posted. I'd like to include the 2007 and 2008 in future updates, but need more participants for these years.

99 owners signed up so far for the 2006. Who will be #100?

Auto reliability research -- need more 2007s and 2008s!

 

Had a few more sign up, but also had a couple owners trade theirs in. SO still at 99...

 

New month, same story. Still looking for #100.

Go here for the details and to sign up to help out:

Auto reliability research

Updated results in February. Many o-ring replacements with the transmission in the V8.

 

More owners have joined, but quite a few have traded their Charger in for something else, usually somthing else more fuel efficient. So still in the high 90s with the 2006. Still short on the 2007 and especially the 2008.

For the details and links to the enrollment form:

Vehicle reliability research

 

Latest results recently posted to the site. The repair rate for the Charger and Magnum continues to be worse than average. The most commonly reported problem is a leaking transmission o-ring.

Additional participants are very much needed, especially for the 2007 and 2008. Over 100 owners are now signed up for the 2006 LXs, but even then more would help us provide additional detail.

Vehicle reliability research

 

Next update in May, with a preview for participants in a couple of weeks. Still short on 2007s and especially 2008s.

Vehicle reliability research