The 2024 Initial Quality Study by J.D. Power reveals that electric vehicles (EVs) report significantly more problems compared to gas and diesel vehicles. On average, EVs and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) recorded 266 problems per 100 units (PP100), while gas and diesel vehicles averaged 180 PP100. Even leading EV manufacturer Tesla showed a high rate of issues, particularly with advanced technology features like turn signals and wiper controls. Ram and Porsche topped the rankings for initial quality in overall and luxury categories respectively.
The study highlights that EVs’ advanced tech features, intended to enhance the driving experience, often complicate early ownership, leading to a higher number of reported problems. These issues include complications with in-vehicle technology, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and popular features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While EVs offer many benefits, this study suggests that the increased complexity of their technology may detract from their overall quality and user experience. Automakers are encouraged to address these tech-related issues to improve the EV ownership experience.
