J.D. Power - Automated Driver Assistance Systems: Alarms Abound

"These driver assistance systems (e.g., cruise control (primarily adaptive cruise); lane departure warning; collision avoidance/alert systems; and blind spot warning) are becoming more commonplace in every model on every showroom floor. With each new technology comes the possibility for problems—as well as the opportunity to delight—and these driver assistance systems are no exception." -- Kristin Kolodge, J.D. Power

Kristin Kolodge, JD Power

Vehicle quality is the best it's ever been. Ever. Owners made it very clear in the J.D. Power 2018 Initial Quality StudySM (IQS), and this was the fifth year in a row that we have seen the industry improve. All is good, right?

For many owners, the answer is, "Uh, no." There is a cacophony of noise from one of the many driver assistance systems on their new vehicle demanding attention, and they don't like it.

These driver assistance systems (e.g., cruise control (primarily adaptive cruise); lane departure warning; collision avoidance/alert systems; and blind spot warning) are becoming more commonplace in every model on every showroom floor. With each new technology comes the possibility for problems—as well as the opportunity to delight—and these driver assistance systems are no exception.

J.D. Power sees consumer problems increase noticeably with these technologies. Is this a hurdle that automakers must overcome? Absolutely! Especially when those same technologies form the basis for even more advanced systems coming rapidly down the road, including automated vehicles.

Driver assistance problems increased 57 percent in 2017, as measured by IQS. And this year, the number of problems continues to rise another 17 percent.

Some of the increase in problems is caused simply by more people experiencing the features. This is reflected in the similar but lagging pattern witnessed above between Premium and Non-Premium vehicles. With increasing penetration comes an inherent potential for more quality issues.