For the first time since 1998, J.D. Power is revamping its influential survey that tracks new car and truck quality, and the changes could increase the number of problems and gripes reported by owners by as much as 40 percent on some models.

The third-generation study, which collects nearly 60,000 surveys from new car and truck buyers after 90 days of ownership, contains more detailed questions than previous Initial Quality Studies and allows consumers to reply in essay form.

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http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic.../605110403/1148

For the first time since 1998, J.D. Power is revamping its influential survey that tracks new car and truck quality, and the changes could increase the number of problems and gripes reported by owners by as much as 40 percent on some models.

Based on a pilot program last year, J.D. Power said the latest study will produce significant swings in quality scores for some brands and models.

Gives a bit of an indication about how accurate the survey has been in the past, and perhaps explains some of the more bizzare ratings they have given.

But this still doesn't address the real flaw of the methodology... a feeling that the suspension is too tight has the same weight as an engine blowing up. Do both have an equal effect on quality? Not at all.

This should also give JD an excuse to raise the price of the results significantly.

Survey questions will be broken down into two categories, defects and malfunctions, and design problems. The design category allows respondents to comment on shortcomings that are not a mechanical problem but still an issue, such as the placement of cup holders or factory-installed CD-changers in the glove box.

Sounds kind of bogus to me. I want to know of ACTUAL problems. Not design issues I can check out before I buy a car. Good grief.