10 Worst Cars List Includes RAM and CHEVY HD Trucks

[Mark N.]

Originally Posted by dexters

CR always had a bias against USA cars/trucks.

This isn't CR saying they're bad, it is the owners! I fill out auto surveys from them every year and have done so for over 2 decades. We, the owners, determine the ratings.

[Mark N.]

Originally Posted by Tucker5

Always been the case and it is getting worse

It's we, the surveyed owners that determine those ratings.

[Jccjr50]

The 2014 3500 was the worst vehicle that I have ever owned. Got rid of it due the total lack of concern from both the dealer and Ram. We did not feel safe going on the road pulling our 5th wheel. I realize that all Ram Owner’s did not have the issues that I had, but what CU does is conduct the surveys and reports the results. Even though I disagree with some of their political positions, l do respect their test and survey results.

[Scarab0088]

So much passion here...
Guess I need to quote this.

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

To those slamming the article...
...please read what it says was measured and reported

This list is a ranking of owner reports of service issues for 2018 models.

The list IS NOT a CR test or some Motor Trend style selection of what they like.

The article clearly says this Ram model has not even been tested by Consumer Reports.


Just keeping it real.

Clearly says they did not yet test the 2018 RAM...but are just reporting the owner's surveys

Safe travels

[Kountry_star]

Have to go back a few years on this. This one of the many things that made me lose confidence in CR. Jeep Grand Cherokee 2002 CR rated it dead last. In Febuary 2002 Four Wheeler Mag made the Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland FOUR WHEELER OF THE YEAR. Ended up buying a new 2004. Liked it so much we are on our third 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Seems the quality / ability of a vehicle may be directly related to the questions that are ask.

[Ragmanx]

Have read C/R for years and I take their opinions and surveys with a grain of salt.

IMO a through search of the internet is a much better way to research a product.

C/R is also famous for dissing Mopar products.

[mike5511]

If you want to know what to buy, talk to the guys that work on them........independent mechanics, not the dealer mechanics. And those who own and use them......I mean really use them.

[LargeMarge]

re:
My review of reviews

Who writes reviews? Real live living individuals. And some individuals have an opinion. The opinion before the test might influence the outcome of the test. It could happen, potentially, on those == cough == rare occasions. Individuals need to feel their preferred opinion is valid, so they search for 'evidence' to complete the loop.

Human nature. Stands to reason. Those big trucks are hideous. Those big trucks use too much unsustainable resources. Those big trucks are all driven by evil people who vote for [ fill in the blank ], so there is only one path to commonsense compromise... and that is by helping them understand the error of their incorrect thinking.

For example:
Our 1991.5 Dodge Cummins 4x4 ( not for sale, ever ) has over a half-million miles. Would Consuming Reporters Consuming be interested in hearing our review of this product?

Probably not... it wouldn't change the mind, influence the purchase, of anybody in the market for a vehicle. Although our test procedures are certainly extensive, covering all types of use, buyers of this year / model know their needs. Our opinions are of little value.

I am always amused at research conclusions done by imminently-qualified researchers PAID BY THE FOLKS THEY ARE RESEARCHING.

Do you want a report, a clearly-no-possibility-of-doubt report, stating cross-eyed albinos are prone to toenail delamination? Check in with the fine purveyors of toenail delamination pills. You'll get your funding... and your not-at-all-biased report guarantees more cash next year. Trip to some exotic resort? Accompanied by supple nubiles of your preferred gender? Fix you right up! This is The Rules Of The Game.

I thought everybody knew that. In my opinion.

PS:
How would the all-knowing all-seeing all-scribbling Consumption Reportedly rate congress-critters and anybody else over in District Of Corruption? Prior to purchase. Now that might make interesting reading!

[ijon]

Originally Posted by V3600

Being an election year we all know about surveys and polls and their reliability. That is how CU comes up with its statistics. First you must be a subscriber to CU magazine and second you must send in the survey. There is nothing scientific about how their data is obtained. I quit CU decades ago as they also appeared biased favoring European cars.

Amen brother.

[runamuck]

I have bought several vehicles over my lifetime that didnt rate high with CR and they have all been fine. their reviews often take off points for things I dont care about and dont give credit for stuff I do care about. seems like the last truck I had didnt score well on the number of airbags or fuel economy and I dont buy a truck based on that.

[Hardroad]

Originally Posted by grafton guns

ford f-350 best all around choice!
My opinion

yeaaaaaa!!

[Jccjr50]

The survey came from thousands of CU reviews, and these are the people who are the daily drivers, living with these issues. Initial reviews do not nessarily see the long term problems. Being a car buff. I am close follower of new vehicles. Many have had really good reviews initially only to find out later that there are serious issues that develop with time. The 2014 Ram 3500 had great reviews when that model was originally introduced, but with truck having to be towed in twice and the numerous recalls, Ram did not have the parts to take care of some of those issues, which some were serious safety problems. Like I said before, the total lack of concern by the dealer and Ram was the real deal breaker for me.
Chrysler-Fiat does not have a good quality control reputation, but in fairness, the newer models seem to be doing better in quality.

[Ret.LEO]

I know they highly favor the foreign brand names but maybe there's a reason for it? Like the owners are pleased with them?

My last P/U was a 96 Toyota T-100. When I sold it, it had 265,000 miles on it, 4X4 that got 21 MPG, used less than 1/2 qt of oil between 5K oil changes. 20 year old truck and I still sold it for 5K
Now have a 2006 Tundra and w/out a doubt the best truck I have ever owned. Not made for towing though. It has 135 K miles on it, 4X4 and gets 23MPG, does not lose a measurable amount of oil between 5K oil changes, truck looks like it came off the show room floor. Every so often I get a thrill of a lifetime when at a gas station or grocery store somebody wanders up and trys to buy it from me. Last one was a dealer who offered me 5K more than I paid for it. No way!!!! What else would I buy that would make me as happy?
Fords, Chevs, Rams in my truck's age group usually have the rust cancer.

If I was to buy a new TT it would probably have to be in a new Tundra's capability...........if not then I would buy a Ford F-350.
Were looking at new Class C's The ones were considering are on the Ford E-450 chassis with the V-10 engine.............. very pleased with that

[Hikerdogs]

Originally Posted by Kountry_star

Have to go back a few years on this. This one of the many things that made me lose confidence in CR. Jeep Grand Cherokee 2002 CR rated it dead last. In Febuary 2002 Four Wheeler Mag made the Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland FOUR WHEELER OF THE YEAR. Ended up buying a new 2004. Liked it so much we are on our third 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Seems the quality / ability of a vehicle may be directly related to the questions that are ask.

You have just listed one example of their lack of credibility. Others that come to mind are Giving American Tourister luggage the best ratings only to find out later they had been paid by the company.

They gave the Renault Alliance "best buy of the year". Less than 2 years later the company stopped making them because of mechanical and sheet metal problems that caused them to not be road worthy.

Then there's the dog food test that claimed many of the popular foods lack important ingredients. Again after the fact we find their testing methods are inaccurate.

Just recently they were condemning almost all car child seats on the market saying they failed every test. Later we find out they weren't using any of the standard NHTSA testing methods, and in fact were exceeding the standards by double the impact speeds.