Consumer Reports and New Dodge/Cummins trucks

[GHarman]

The predicted reliability of 21 new trucks in a scale had the Chevy Silverado Turbo Diesel at #3 from the top and the Dodge/Cummins Turbo Diesel at #14 from the top. That is not what I would have expected. GregH





Full-sized pickups













Make and model Overall score





Toyota Tundra (V8, 2WD)*

Ford F-150 (V6, 2WD)

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 (turbodsl, 4WD)*

GMC Sierra 2500 (turbodsl, 4WD)*

Dodge Ram 2500 (turbodsl, 2WD)

Ford F-150 (V8, 2WD)

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (V8, 4WD*)

GMC Sierra 1500 (V8, 4WD)*

Ford F-150 (V6, 4WD)

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (V8, 2WD)*

GMC Sierra 1500 (V8, 2WD)*

Ford F-150 (V8, 4WD)

Dodge Ram 1500 (2WD)

Dodge Ram 2500 (turbodsl, 4WD)

Nissan Titan (2WD)

Chevrolet Avalanche 1500*

Dodge Ram 1500 (4WD)

Lincoln Mark LT*

Nissan Titan (4WD)

Toyota Tundra (V8, 4WD)*

Cadillac Escalade EXT* (-220%)

PREDICTED RELIABILITY

 

[Matt400]

LMAO! Ford F-150 (V6, 2WD) somebody is smoking something, and the Tundra V8 near the bottom... I don't think so.

 

[Grizzly]

Where is the Ford F250 in the ratings? As much as I like Consumer Report I think they can be very bias. I have never seen them rate any truck heavier then half tons in the past and they always like Ford and Toyota best and Dodge last. Take it with a grain of salt.

 

[2broke2smoke]

apparently a transfer case and front axle don't impress them much ...

 

[DScherbarth]

Interesting in the fact that yesterday Consumer report said the were taking two toyotas off of the to buy list, and one of them was the new tundra truck .

 

[KCanepari]

Tundra 2x4 no. 1 and 4x4 at the bottom?? that list is a joke

 

[DBentley]

Consumer reports dont know crap about trucks.

Tvs or toyota camrys mabey but real 3/4 and 1 tons there clueless.

 

[bighammer]

I'd bet a handfull of grease zerks would've made 'em less costly to maintain and given them a higher rating.

 

[TFucili]

I've been in two different industries where Consumer Reports had a big impact on the "educated" consumers' decisions. The fact that they don't take advertising does not mean they are not biased and/or crooked. The best use for that magazine is lining your parakeet cage.

 

[BTighe]

my parakeets are gone now



how many tundras do you see pulling real loads? yeah, i havent seen any either. maybe luck, i dont know. just the fact that they put GM IFS on top of 2wd dodge and fords tells me there rating pavement only trucks. i wouldnt read this mag on the can!

 

[rbattelle]

I'd bet a handfull of grease zerks would've made 'em less costly to maintain and given them a higher rating.

That's very insightful. I agree.



It's a very strange list. I'd be interested in what they used to judge "predicted reliability".



Ryan

 

[GHarman]

The Process

Just wanted to share this description of their process. I know that Consumer Reports does rely on feedback of members in an annual questionaire about all new stuff or specific items owned or recently purchased and they compile that data along with their own testing. GregH



"Reliability of new models by category

Our in-depth data let us predict how this year's models will fare



Family cars | Upscale cars | Luxury cars | Large cars | Small cars | Coupes & convertibles | Sports/sporty cars | Roadsters | Wagons & hatchbacks | Minivans | Small SUVs | Midsized SUVs | Large SUVs | Compact pickups | Full-sized pickups | Full-sized vans



These charts help you compare our Predicted Reliability Ratings for 2008 models within the same category. To create them, we calculate an overall reliability score for each of the three newest model years (2005, 2006, and 2007) provided the vehicle hasn't changed significantly in that time. Three-year data are a good predictor since most new models for this year are essentially the same as earlier models. Extra weight is given to some components, including the engine (major problems), cooling, transmission (major problems), and drive system. Each overall reliability score is compared with the average of all vehicles in our survey for that model year. The yearly differences are combined to give the Predicted Reliability score shown as percent. This overall average is the zero line in the charts. The bars represent the percentage by which each model was better or worse than the average.



Note that the average stretches 20 points on either side of the zero line, so it's possible for a car to have an average Predicted Reliability Rating even if its bar is in the negative zone. A broken bar indicates a percentage that extends beyond the chart. In cases where a model was new or redesigned last year, or where we simply lack data for more years, we might rely on one model year's data. Those models are labeled with an asterisk (*).



Most brand-new models don't appear here because they have yet to establish a track record. Models redesigned for 2008 are shown with (2007) in their model name. In rare instances, we make a prediction for a new or redesigned model if the manufacturer's or model's history is typically outstanding. "



Heading from Consumer Reports Predicted Reliability Catagory Charts.

 

[Grizzly]

Just wanted to share this description of their process. I know that Consumer Reports does rely on feedback of members in an annual questionaire about all new stuff or specific items owned or recently purchased and they compile that data along with their own testing. GregH









I've been subscribing to Consumer Reports (CR) since the late 60's. I had always trusted them with complete confidence in what they published. The turning point in my confidence with CR happened many years ago when I was reading ratings on 35 mm cameras. Being a die hard photo buff and having somewhat expensive camera equipment I read where CR didn't rate nor consider the lens of 35mm camera because, "they are all the same". That is so wrong. So in their infinite wisdom they rated a camera that I know is inferior to others. The lens on a 35mm camera is a most major component of a camera. CR does not consider the whole picture of a product.



In this case of rating trucks with diesels they must not be considering the fact that the Cummins diesel is far superior to anything else. Come on CR, if going to do the job, do it right or don't do it at all.

 

[HBarlow]

Consumer Reports test reports are useful when considering a refrigerator, washer, or television but every guy on the TDR forums probably knows more about turbodiesel powered pickups than the entire staff of CR. I don't know if they are biased but I do know that I do not value their opinion of diesel-powered light trucks.



Harvey

 

[GHarman]

Just wanted to share this description of their process. I know that Consumer Reports does rely on feedback of members in an annual questionaire about all new stuff or specific items owned or recently purchased and they compile that data along with their own testing. GregH









I've been subscribing to Consumer Reports (CR) since the late 60's. I had always trusted them with complete confidence in what they published. The turning point in my confidence with CR happened many years ago when I was reading ratings on 35 mm cameras. Being a die hard photo buff and having somewhat expensive camera equipment I read where CR didn't rate nor consider the lens of 35mm camera because, "they are all the same". That is so wrong. So in their infinite wisdom they rated a camera that I know is inferior to others. The lens on a 35mm camera is a most major component of a camera. CR does not consider the whole picture of a product.



In this case of rating trucks with diesels they must not be considering the fact that the Cummins diesel is far superior to anything else. Come on CR, if going to do the job, do it right or don't do it at all.

I do agree with you Grizzly. When you really know a subject, and someone else makes an ignorant statement, that really sets my hairs on end, also. I am not defending CR. Just reading their report. I'd like to see other reports but I dont know where to look. I have read about the problems of third gens on TDR

My point is that I am looking for a replacement truck for "Old Ugly". I personally do not need the 6. 7L Cummins. The 5. 9 is more than enough motor fer this old Hillbilly! It is still attached to a vehicle with a frame, drivetrain, body and electrical components. I am looking at the whole vehicle and what it has to offer. There will be hauling, towing, and commuting with passengers. It will require about 80% operation in 4X4, primarily winter operations in a mountain environment. It will require reasonable fuel mileage (18+), reliability and diesel power. I'm sure that it will be required to pass emmissions tests at some time in the future. My projected use life of a truck is 20 years. Anymore lifespan is icing on the cake. GregH

 

[DCreed]

I'm not sure if anyone noticed, but if you eliminate the asterisk * marked trucks the Cummins 2wd is #2 on the list. Considering their criteria and opinions of fuel milage , comfortable ride, and the bling of fresh exterior design ,it's not hard to see why the ford 150 v6 is their #1 pick. If I didn't need to pull anything(bigger than a lawnmower) and was looking for a cheap truck maybe I'd agree... NAH!!:-laf

 

[EEdmondson]

I agree with Grizzly. I've subscribed to CR since the late 60's and I'm considering not renewing. I've purchased a ton of good recommended products in the past. But I've lost confidence in the recent past. It seems that all they want to do now is sell magazines and the reports are secondary. They will test several models of one brand and zero of another popular brand. I know they can't test every model, but they only test a very small sample of what's available. It really isn't much help anymore.

 

[John - K5AWO]

You don't need to pull a lawnmower, it can fly on its' own :-laf :-laf
Welcome to FlyingThingZ

 

[Grizzly]

I do agree with you Grizzly. When you really know a subject, and someone else makes an ignorant statement, that really sets my hairs on end, also. I am not defending CR. Just reading their report. I'd like to see other reports but I dont know where to look. I have read about the problems of third gens on TDR

My point is that I am looking for a replacement truck for "Old Ugly". I personally do not need the 6. 7L Cummins. The 5. 9 is more than enough motor fer this old Hillbilly! It is still attached to a vehicle with a frame, drivetrain, body and electrical components. I am looking at the whole vehicle and what it has to offer. There will be hauling, towing, and commuting with passengers. It will require about 80% operation in 4X4, primarily winter operations in a mountain environment. It will require reasonable fuel mileage (18+), reliability and diesel power. I'm sure that it will be required to pass emmissions tests at some time in the future. My projected use life of a truck is 20 years. Anymore lifespan is icing on the cake. GregH

I'm somewhat disappointed in CR as I don't believe they do a very thorough job of researching the products. Their questionnaire, however are good.



If I were you I'd look for a good used 04 to 06 Quad Cab 3500 SRW.

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

Very useful Magazine, see what they recommend then buy the opposite.