How does Honda compare in reliability to other Jap/Korean cars?

Since I was originally writing about Honda and Mitsubishi, I thought I'd put
in my input on how I feel it compares and if anyone has different feedback,
by all means let me know. Below is what I think the reliability and quality
factor is like:

Honda
Toyota
Subaru
Nissan
Mazda
Hyundai
Mitsubishi
Daewoo
Isuzu
Suzuki
Kia

 

I would actually rank Toyota a bit higher than Honda, only because of
issues with Honda automatic transmissions mated to V6 engines. Honda
appears to have the issue resolved, but we'll just have to wait a few
years to see if the fix holds up.

I would also rank Kia higher than Daewoo, although that's not saying much
right now. But since some newer Kia's are now essentially rebadged
Hyundai's, that may result in some increase in reliability for Kia. I
also believe Hyundai has surpassed Mazda, as Mazda's reliability has
really gone downhill in recent years. Even Nissan's reliability has been
slipping quite a bit as of late.

 

For reliability, I'd rate them according to the little red
and black circles of the Consumer Reports annual, April auto
issue, surveying approx. 675,000 owners of IIRC 200 models
of cars, according to a dozen or so categories of repairs.
Review say the last five years listed, for each model, in
the 2005 issue.

I checked a couple of years ago, and Toyota and Honda still
led in reliabity, by this measure.

 

I basically agree pretty close. I prefer to put them in groups where
the quality within the group is about equal. I would go:

 

honda/toyota. or toyota/honda. toyotas are pretty damn bulletproof, and
*gasp* might actually be engineered a tad bit better (there, i SAID it)
than honda. their 4 cylinder truck engines, for example.

 

I would agree with your ratings with some slight tweaks. I think Honda
and Toyota should be both share the Number 1 position. I'm not sure on
the Nissan and Mazda positions though, as both have had their share of
reliability and build-quality problems lately. Hyundai's reliability
and build-quality has improved tremendously, and I'm not too sure they
couldn't move up a notch or possibly two. This manufacturer is really
improving its product significantly with each model launch, and they've
been reliable except for this first USA model back in the '80s - the
Excel. And, I wouldn't place Daewoo ahead of those below it. If
anything, Daewoo should be on the bottom. Since Hyundai-corporate
bought Kia, cash strapped Kia has improved also. Take a careful look at
the 2005/2006 Spectra and you will see what I mean. As a side-note, my
son has a 1996 Galant ES sedan with over 130K on the clock, and he
hasn't had any problems. It was built at the Bloomington-Normal,
Illinois Mitsu plant.

 

I think the Toyota Prius shutting down while doing highway speeds is
far more of a concern.

 

Did you forget about that massive Honda ignition switch recall? Same
symptom but different culprit.

Anyway, Toyota issued a recall for that problem and implemented a software
patch to fix it.

 

Don't know about the other brands but since 1986 I have owned a 1986 Honda
Accord SEi I4 coupe, a 1996 Accord EX I4 Coupe, a 1992 Nisan Maxima SE,
and a 2004 Maxima SE. Bought them all new new, drove them all at least
93,000 miles (except the latest Max which now has 32,000). IMHO all four
were/are really good cars but the Maximas were significanly more trouble
free than the Hondas. Not talking about little trim problems but things like
leaking struts, failed radiators, failed ABS.

Cars mostly driven in New England. Combined both long trips 3000 miles or
more and city driving.

 

I have had the opposite experience. I have owned 1990 Civic, 1991 Civic,
1994 Integra, 1995 Integra and 2000 Maxima SE. All hondas were pretty
much trouble free (I have 145,000 miles on 1994 Integra now). The
troubles I had with Hondas/Acuras were mostly rattles which have been
nothing compared to Maxima. I have had light switches failure,
cassette/CD player failure, window switch failure, problems with struts
and lots of rattles. Front rotors on this car are constant source of
problem. In 40,000 miles rotors have been replaced once and turned three
times.

--
Khalid
khalid AT gonehiking DOT org

====================================================================
Khalid Aziz Open Source and Linux Organization
(970)898-9214 Hewlett-Packard
Fort Collins, CO

"The Linux kernel is subject to relentless development"
- Alessandro Rubini

 

As easy as it is to replace rotors, and caliper/pads, one can save a
bundle of money. OEM Brembo rotors for the 2000 Maxima are $53 each,
and excellent products. Just a thought . . .

 

Yeah, that is true, but I would rather drive a car that does not need
that to be done. My '94 Integra has 145K miles and is still on original
rotors. My '00 Max has 48K miles and is already on second set of rotors
which have been turned once already and from the sound of brakes, are
glazed yet again and ready to be turned a second time. That is just too
much maintenance for me to deal with. I am planning to replace my Max
with an Acura TSX or Accord.


====================================================================
Khalid
khalid AT gonehiking DOT org

 

The Integra must use rather soft pad material to minimize wear on the
rotors. Not having to replace rotors in 145K is very, very unusual in
any vehicle. You should consider yourself very lucky indeed with the
Integra. Brake maintenance and costs are quite minimal, as compared to
potential engine mechanical problems. Brakes, and all associated
parts, are deemed "wear and tear" items. A hundred bucks, or maybe
two, is much less than the cost of a TSX or an Accord!