CA Initial Quality Study (IQS)
The Industry Benchmark for New-Vehicle Quality
The Canada Initial Quality Study (IQS) is the automotive industry’s definitive measure of new-vehicle quality in Canada, tracking owner-reported problems within the first 90 days of ownership. Based on more than 175 quality indicators and model-level comparisons, IQS delivers a clear view of early quality performance across brands, models, and segments to help identify issues and drive product improvement.
Early Quality Performance from the Owner’s Perspective
Evaluates new-vehicle quality issues reported during the first 90 days of ownership:
• Mechanical systems and design execution
• Features, infotainment, and emerging technologies
Includes:
• Integration of survey data and verified repair orders
• Brand and model-level diagnostics
• Monthly and annual performance tracking
How the Canada IQS Works
• Surveys new-vehicle owners within the first 90 days of ownership
• Captures owner-reported problems across more than 175 quality-related attributes
• Measures early quality performance at the model level and benchmarks results across brands and segments
Faster Issue Detection, Better Quality
• Identifies launch-critical defects and design issues
• Helps OEMs and suppliers prioritize corrective actions
• Reduces warranty exposure and improves customer satisfaction
• Builds confidence in models and plants that outperform competitors
• Creates annual rankings and awards-licensing opportunities for top-performing brands
Improve Quality, Reduce Warranty Costs
• Drives product quality gains across OEM portfolios
• Reduces customer complaints and warranty claims
• Strengthens brand reputation for reliability
• Enables proactive decision-making through monthly data cadence
• Annual rankings and opportunity to license awards for top-performing brands
