Are first year models having first year issues... urban legend?

[crashmtb]

I wouldn’t be worried about the mechanical or electronic bits, as most of it has already been used in ranger and other things.

build quality is the big concern with a first year anything.

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[Broncodave]

What I would tell people to do and what I actually do are two different things. To be sure, the safer bet is wait a couple years until the bugs are worked out. Consumer Reports can back that up with reliability issues cropping up with first year redesigns of many cars and trucks by many auto manufacturers.

That said, I bought a first year Audi TT and no real problems, I bought a first year Mini and no real problems, and I'm still driving a 2009 Dodge Challenger (technically 2nd year, but first full year) and it has been great! I even bought the extended warranty on that one because I was so scared of Chrysler's "dodgy" quality. Turns out I didn't need it.

caveat 1: Ford did not do well in model reliability across their current lineup

caveat 2: I was not given a boost of confidence when today I was behind a newer Ford Super Duty Off Road truck on the freeway and when he/she stepped on the gas, plumes of blue smoke billowed out of the tailpipe and into my ventilation system.

 

[Austin26]

Nowadays much less so, but still relevant. If there's a new technology, be it in an engine or system, there can be issues. I worked for Nissan and usually it was something dumb but easily fixable... The black plastic roof channel pieces would randomly fall out of the new Pathfinders... But a more serious issue was when their computer would learn one's driving style. if it was very slow and steady the toe in would become very sensitive and other times any throttle would have it rev high for no apparent reason. Obviously that was a big one as old people were the most affected and it was dangerous. On the other hand, the new Altimas of I think the same year (2013) only had slightly under inflated spare tires from the factory. Few other problems I knew of.

 

[Used2jeep]

, but I need my Man-Lux.

Hehe, how did the Mani & Pedi go today? Did you also do the cucumber on the eyeballs?

 

[Stitches1974]

I bought a 2014 Jeep Cherokee on a whim. Then, I start reading about the transmission issues they were having with them on a Cherokee forum. A few of the forum members there posted pictures of them getting their transmissions replaced with the same transmission that has the same exact issues. Multiple members had 2-3 transmission replacements, with months of waiting and not being able to use their vehicle.

After a year and about 6K miles on mine, it started showing symptoms of the transmission going out. I traded it off on another vehicle.

I'll pass on first year models from now on.

 

[Hkak45]

I had a 2012 focus i bought in 2011, it was first year for the DCT transmission in the focus. Constantly in the shop that ford had to extend the transmission warranty to 100k miles. That car also had a water pump go out, and power steering failed

I had a 2014 focus with the same great transmission that was always in the shop too so that wasn’t just first year?

 

[Gquag]

I’ve always been told by people wiser than me never to buy a car the first year it comes out. If you do expect to have it bought back numerous times for recalls, etc.

This obviously has me thinking of Re-Launch of the Bronco. Ford in my opinion has not done a great job with the process. Some being it solely their fault, and covid obviously a problem.

I am highly considering pulling my reservation and waiting to see how all this plays out. I’m not early on the list anyway, so I won’t make a difference. I just can’t see spending 50k plus on a vehicle where logic would indicate 1st year models will have 1st year problems.

That’s the risk you take or in my case don’t take when ordering.

I have similar feelings, but what you can do is take your foot and kick that can so far down the road you become MY22. Hopefully they will improve any issues by the time 2ndNew/7th generation shows up.
I wouldn't ditch the reservation until you completely have to order, which is near the end of March I believe. Either order or take your hundred Buck and go home.

 

[SamR]

I bought a 1st year Mazda 2 in 2012 (leftover 2011 stock) and had it for 7 years with the ONLY issue being the drivers door locking mechanism seizing up one cold day. It was $100 to fix and other than that it just had fluids. Still mad at myself for selling it... Had no need for it but it was just such a nice car to drive and so solid.

That said I’m happy I’m a late reservation holder with the Bronco. There’s a lot more tech in the Bronco than a simple econo hatch.

 

[stampede1]

Here are three different websites answering your question with "With modern cars, it's not as much of a problem as it used to be."

Should You Get a Car in its First Model Year? (motorbiscuit.com)

Buying a Car: Should I Avoid the First Model Year? - Autotrader

Should I Really Avoid a Car in the First Model Year? (jalopnik.com)

Thanks for posting these sources. While everybody has a story, rumor or urban legend about this, few people are actually aware of the facts based on expert research and empirical data.

 

[Squatch]

Hehe, how did the Mani & Pedi go today? Did you also do the cucumber on the eyeballs?

 

[timhood]

I’ve always been told by people wiser than me never to buy a car the first year it comes out. If you do expect to have it bought back numerous times for recalls, etc.

This obviously has me thinking of Re-Launch of the Bronco. Ford in my opinion has not done a great job with the process. Some being it solely their fault, and covid obviously a problem.

I am highly considering pulling my reservation and waiting to see how all this plays out. I’m not early on the list anyway, so I won’t make a difference. I just can’t see spending 50k plus on a vehicle where logic would indicate 1st year models will have 1st year problems.

That’s the risk you take or in my case don’t take when ordering.

Consumer Reports is arguably the best authority on this, as they get vehicle ownership surveys from hundreds of thousands of people every year. And their survey is much better than the made-for-marketing JD Power surveys. What you can find is that consistently, first-year models have higher problem rates. However, problem rates as a whole have reduced steadily over the years and dramatically from say 20 years ago. A "bad" car is one that has two problems. Top cars are around 1 problem, plus or minus. (Problems are actually measured per hundred vehicles, so a score around 100 is excellent.)

Much of how we will perceive problems will depend on Ford and the dealer. If the problems don't need to be urgently fixed, get fixed without much time and effort on our part and you get a loaner vehicle if you need it, it might not seem like a big deal. The more of a PITA the process is, the more it might be upsetting. So, basically, yes, expect more issues (on the whole) with the first-year Bronco, but maybe in the end it won't be that big of a deal.

 

[timhood]

I’ve always been told by people wiser than me never to buy a car the first year it comes out. If you do expect to have it bought back numerous times for recalls, etc.

Also, keep in mind that "I bought a first year xxx and had no problems" is known as an anecdote. Given any vehicle, one owner could have zero problems and the owner next door could have many. You want to examine the statistical data over a large sample. See previous reference to Consumer Reports.

 

[Dlerojo]

There will absolutely be issues with first year Broncos. Whether those issues are major or minor will remain to be seen. Ford doesn't have a great track record with new products.

 

[Stompr]

I’ve always been told by people wiser than me never to buy a car the first year it comes out. If you do expect to have it bought back numerous times for recalls, etc.

This obviously has me thinking of Re-Launch of the Bronco. Ford in my opinion has not done a great job with the process. Some being it solely their fault, and covid obviously a problem.

I am highly considering pulling my reservation and waiting to see how all this plays out. I’m not early on the list anyway, so I won’t make a difference. I just can’t see spending 50k plus on a vehicle where logic would indicate 1st year models will have 1st year problems.

That’s the risk you take or in my case don’t take when ordering.

I was an Audi mechanic for 35 years, first year run vehicles made me bank, many times. Also consider it’s a first run plant, during COVID, and all the suppliers have to deal with that as well.

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