Do most people feel that the gen III is as reliable as the gen II was? Also was the build quality of the genII better than the gen III? I have a gen III and don't know much about the gen IIs. From what I read the gen IIs are pretty much bullet proof and there are no rattle complaints or build quality issues..
I have read alot on the forums. It does seem more people have rattle complaints on the gen III. I have read about alot of people with gen II rattles but its not as much of a problem as the gen III. Besides that i think the gen III is the same as the gen II for breakdowns. I haven't heard of a battery issue yet, but i heard about 1-2 transaxel and a inverter going bad. I really think if you ignore the rattle problems, they are just about the same, but I guess i would have to say a 09 gen II should be a little bit better in not breaking down due to it's the end of a model, and the Gen III is still a pretty new model.
My 2nd gen 2009 would occasionally get a small rattle in the dash. Also, the window would rattle if opened about 2 to 5 inches. The bunches of 3rd gen's I've rented seemed pretty darn solid. Overall it felt and drove like a better car. My 2009 was generally well built, but some of the design flaws I will never forget.
i would say the only differences in large quantities of complaints would be rattles, brakes and rough engine starts. build quality and reliability overall are probably similar.
There are PLENTY of rattle complaints about the Gen II. I have an '04, and it rattles worse than ANY car I have ever owned. I hate driving it... Even on smooth highways...it rattles and resonates...terrible.
My gen III goes over speed bumps everyday, and I have yet to get an unsolvable rattle. I did develop a rattle a couple of times when I noticed the passanger seatbelt was hitting up against the side molding.
I hope that it is as reliable as the gen. IIs. I see in Consumer Reports that the gen IIs are full of the red dots all the way back to 04, hopefully gen III will be since the brake issue has been resolved.
There have been plenty of rattle and build quality complaints regarding the Gen II. There are a few things that are downgraded in the Gen III such as worse NAV screen, lack of colors in the MFD, non-lined glove compartments, etc. However, it's balanced out by the many improvements made in the Gen III. The consensus is the Gen III is the better car overall.
Most of the brake problem was between the drivers' ears. What earlier adopters are willing to adapt to is what the later general populace comsiders unacceptable. Expect manufacturers to remove innovations because they don't meet the expectations of "the masses". If the masses want a loud car then the manufacturer will find a way for a silent car to make noise rather than try to change the prevailing attitude.
It's not as simple as that. The Gen III brake campaign did shorten the regen to friction brake transition to the Gen II's level and that proved acceptable for most owners by making it less unsettling when braking over road imperfections. If they still have problems after performing the brake campaign, then it's between the drivers' ears.
