mkaresh

Next update in February. Additional participants would be helpful, especially for the 2008. For the details, and to sign up to help out, go here: Auto reliability research

For some reason I just got this notification. The site was down for perhaps an hour yesterday. Sorry about that. Please give it another shot.

Updated results in February covering owner experiences through the end of 2007. Would like to also have results for the 2008, but need more participants for that year. For the details, and to sign up to help out: Vehicle reliability research--especially need more 2008s!

The latest TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results have been posted. These are for the year ending September 30, 2007. For the 2007 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX, I have an average of 4.0 months of data on 42 cars. The stat of 65 successful repair trips per 100 vehicles per year (0.7 per vehicle) is about average for a 2007 model, and is decent considering that these vehicles are all-new, including all-new engines and transmissions. Most of the reported problems involved fit and finish. Everyone who has been helping out with this research, thanks. Those who aren't yet helping out, please consider doing so. 2008s are especially needed, for quick results on the second model year. Other results: TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

CR's results have just been released, but the data they're based on is already six months old. TrueDelta just posted updated results, based on data that is just a little over a month old. Over the next year, their data will get older and older, while TrueDelta's will get updated every three months. When buying a car, do you want to know how reliable it was a year ago, when it was a year younger, or how reliable it has been recently?

You probably didn't like that I asked for a license plate number. I started asking for this in the first place because some paranoid people felt that otherwise people would fake cars to influence the results. I figured that no form of personal info is more public, by design. And the plate would be much easier to remember than a VIN. No one would know their VIN. Now that I ask for it, other people wonder what I might do with their license plate number. To date, I've done nothing with them. But this does allow me to verify that vehicles exist if this ever seemed necessary. It is possible to enter 99 for the plate number if you can't remember it. I can always ask for it latter if this is necessary.

Next results in November. Nearly 60 owners are now signed up, but more would still be helpful. For the details: Vehicle reliability research

Excellent tip, thanks.

Yep. I was once told the vehicle actually had to be run through the entire paint line a second time. The painting area is about the most expensive part of the entire plant, so this does involve considerable additional cost. The $500 or so metallic paint costs on most German cars, though, that's nearly all profit.

Thanks, but unfortunately I need a complete price list.

Is 2008 Edge pricing posted anywhere online? If so, I'll get it into my database, and people can configure to their heart's content.

The latest TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results have been posted. These are for the year ending June 30, 2007. Late responses could lead to further changes, but these are unlikely to be large. For the 2007 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX, I have an average of 2.5 months of data on 29 cars. The stat of 49 successful repair trips per 100 vehicles per year (0.5 per vehicle) is somewhat better than average for a 2007 model, and is quite good considering that these vehicles are all-new, including all-new engines and transmissions. The result is asterisked and visible only to site members because the sample was a single response short of the minimum. Because the sample size is so small, this result provides just a rough indication of reliability. That said, if many people were having problems, it would show up even with this size sample. All of the problems that were reported were minor, such as a spoiler painted the wrong color, rust inside the door panels, and a seatbelt with too much tension. No problems have been reported with the powertrain or any other major mechanical component. A more solid result will be included in the next update, in November. Everyone who has been helping out with this research, thanks. Those who aren't yet helping out, please consider doing so. Other results: TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

I'm also seeing good results for Ford products in my reliability research. TrueDelta will update results next month, based on owners' experience through June 30, 2007. One partial exception, though, will be the Edge. You will notice that they tout the Edge's customer satisfaction score, but not its TGW. In TrueDelta's results, the Edge will have about an average repair rate. Not bad, considering it's a brand new model, but also not as strong as the Fusion. It's very likely that the Edge's repair rate will improve over the course of the model year, and especially with the 2008s. This has been the case with the Five Hundred and Freestyle, which have low repair rates in their second and third years. I'll also have results for GM's large crossovers. Their repair rates are considerably higher than the Edge's. Details about TrueDelta's research: Vehicle reliability research

Thanks, guys, I appreciate it. The last regular round of survey emails will go out tomorrow. If you didn't own the Edge yet in June, just ignore the emails this month and start replying next month. If you only had the Edge a few days in June, that's okay, please go ahead and respond.

Up to 38 owners. Initial results next month, but probably with an asterisk for insufficient sample size. More participants would certainly help. For the details, and to sign up to help out: Vehicle reliability research

I've written about the limitations of satisfaction studies here: http://www.truedelta.com/blog/?p=130 That said, great showing by the Edge. It has clearly been designed to suit the tastes of the people who buy it.

Make that 33 Edge owners and over 100 for the GM crossovers. It's going to be tight, but I'm hoping the response rate has been high enough for results in August.

It's up to owners to make a forum great. Robert Lane does a very good job as admin, but he can't do it without you guys. I have noticed that while the Edge is outselling the large GM crossovers, the forums for the GM vehicles are more active. Edge and MKX owners need to step up. Speaking of MKX owners, are they around?

My sense is that the exterior styling draws many, even most people in. A friend of mine said his wife noticed an Edge on the road. And she never notices cars. When that sort of driver notices your car, sales will be strong.

I personally think every SUV/hatch/etc. where the seat design permits it (i.e. not a sport bucket) should have this feature. http://www.truedelta.com/blog/?p=115 I can't say why, but part of me loves that photo of the Freestyle with all seats folded. I don't need to carry large objects often, but the ability to do so is enticing.

I had to flip the headrests around like that when test driving the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu a few years back, and have wanted to in a few others cars. It's an increasingly common issue, with increasing attention on whiplash protection. Many cars have active head restraints these days, where the head restraint moves forward in a rear impact forces your upper body into the seatback. Nissan does this in most if not all of its cars. I wonder if the problem in the Edge happens when a manufacturer saves a few bucks by not taking this route. If you do flip them around and get rear-ended, the insurance company could potentially try to limit their payout, and you can probably forget about being able to sue Ford.

Excellent info. I hope you provide updates as you gain experience with the Edge. I'm surprised you prefer the handling in the Edge, since this is one area where the magazines tend to favor the Nissan. I haven't driven a Murano recently myself. I test drove an MKX with the same sunroof. About as quiet as they come thanks to a very large wind blocker.

Thanks guys. Up to 28 Edge owners in the panel, so I'm likely have initial results in August. This will be a few months before CR.

Up to 14 Edge ownes enrolled, so finally starting to get somewhere. Up to 63 Acadia/Outlook owners and 50 MDX owners, though. I will have reliability information on these 2007s in August. I'd like to also provide information on the Edge at that time, but will need more participants. Where are all the Edge people? These SUVs are certainly selling well.

The rear overhang does appear excessive and out or proportion. But I think it'll do well simply because it's so much trendier than anything else in the three-row segment. Also, the seats look outstanding.