Why are American Cars Considered Less Reliable?

If you’re in the market for a new car, you’re probably considering a few different makes. From foreign makes such as Toyota to American-made vehicles like Chrysler, there are several different things to think about. In general, American-made cars are considered less reliable than their foreign counterparts. Do you know why? Let’s take a look at the differences between domestic and foreign car makes.

Recalls

One of the biggest factors consumers look at when choosing between foreign and domestic makes is the recalls of each auto manufacturer. American-made vehicles have a much higher recall rate than their competitors. In addition to this, the seriousness of these recalls is generally higher for American-made cars. For example, the Chevrolet Cruze recently had a very concerning fire-related recall that turned many consumers off of the model and the brand.

Frequently with American-made cars, recalls happen early in the life of the vehicle. Within the first few years of a release, the recall rate is extremely high for domestic brands. After that, the companies perform a redesign, which generally helps with the original problem. However, this points to domestic vehicles being released far too soon, with too little testing.

Build Quality

In addition to serious recalls, many American-made vehicles suffer from poor quality in design and build. These automakers are trying to jump ahead of the competition, meaning they move just a little too quickly. Many domestic automakers have trouble with door alignment and gaps in doors and windows, as well as poorly designed frames.

Along with the overall build quality, new features are released without being fully tested or ready for consumers. One example of this is the MyFord Touch technology offered by Ford. The technology used is interesting; however, there are several usability issues and so many bugs that some consumers are unable to use it effectively. Because of this, the technology requires quick updates to try to fix the issues, and, frequently, the updates have other bugs and problems.

Foreign-made cars have been known to have great build quality for decades. Part of the reasoning for this is that these vehicles have to stand up to several international requirements, some of which are extremely strict. If the cars have poor build quality, they won’t be released in many of the target countries for the manufacturer.

While domestic automakers have stepped up the quality of their vehicles over the last several years, many are still lagging behind. Auto experts and critics believe that this is partially due to the fact that foreign automakers have had higher standards for decades, and American cars are just starting to live up to these standards.

Style

When it comes to styling, it really is a toss-up between foreign and domestic cars. Because everyone has their own style preference, it can be difficult to say whether American cars are lacking or excelling. However, historically, foreign-made vehicles tend to be more innovative in styling, offering sleek lines and beautiful aesthetics. If you prefer hard lines and a rugged look, American-made vehicles have this style down pat.

Efficiency

When you’re buying a new car, one of the first things most people look at is the fuel efficiency. Having a car that gets great gas mileage helps save money in the long run. It’s beneficial to those who drive a lot and those who only drive to and from work each day. Because of the rigid standards of many countries, international automakers have worked hard to ensure the best gas mileage possible and have regularly blown the competition out of the water. In 2014, imported Toyota vehicles rated an average fuel efficiency of 44.2 mpg while domestic Ford was 36.8, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

It should also be noted that American automakers are making an effort to increase the fuel efficiency of their vehicles. Part of this is due to national regulations on fuel efficiency, and part of it is because of the consumer demand for hybrid vehicles. While domestic vehicles are closing the gap, it is still there, and still causing many consumers to buy foreign options.

Price

American-made vehicles generally are cheaper for American consumers than foreign-made vehicles. This pricing difference is due to many factors, several of which have already been discussed. Quality of the build, fuel efficiency, and overall creation costs of foreign vehicles tend to increase the price. In addition, if you’re importing a vehicle, it’s going to cost more than something that is manufactured here in the United States.

More foreign cars are becoming affordable for American consumers, however. The price differences are becoming less noticeable, depending on the brand of the vehicle and exactly what you’re looking for. In the past, this was a much more substantial difference, and actually became a negative for domestic cars. People equated the low cost with low quality, and they weren’t always wrong.

Making the Choice

When it comes down to it, the quality of American-made vehicles is improving, but many foreign vehicles are flat out better than their American competitors. Because of stricter regulations in European countries and other areas throughout the world, foreign car makers offer higher quality vehicles. However, each car purchase is a unique situation, and the buyer must weigh his or her wants and needs with the vehicles that fit into their budget.