Because existing sources of auto reliability information left much to be desired, in late 2005 I started conducting my own reliability research at TrueDelta.com. TrueDelta reports absolute stats like "trips to the shop" that make the differences between cars much clearer. Results are updated four times a year, so any significant changes in a model's reliability become apparent quickly.

So far 75 GV owners have signed up, but most of these are for the Gen. 3.  We'd also like to provide information on earlier model years--just need more participants to help make this happen.

Participants simply report repairs the month after they occur on a one-page survey. When there are no repairs, they simply report an approximate odometer reading four times a year, at the end of each quarter.

To encourage participation, panel members receive full access to the results for free.

For the details, and to sign up to help out:

Vehicle reliability research

Does TrueDelta provide cross-brand reliability research.  I just registered my 2002 Chevy Tracker, a gen 2 under a Chevy Badge, and wondered if it actually helped at all.

We'll include any model in the survey for which 25 owners sign up. We'll include the Tracker and Vitara in the same sample since they're essentially the same. Hard part is getting enough of them.

103 GV owners now signed up. A good start, but most of these are for the Gen 3. Continue to need more to include the Gen 2 in the survey.

Help get your year included:

Car reliability research

Recently enhanced the related repair history survey so that it can (optionally) be used as a personal car maintenance record.

As always, more participants would be helpful. Updated Car Reliability Survey results in May.

Car reliability research

Now about halfway with the 2002 and 2003, and other years also getting closer.

To help get your year included:

Car reliability research

The 2002 is now over two-thirds of the way to the minimum needed to include it in the survey.