Dorman Quality - Why This Huge Gap Between Claimed Quality and Actual Quality?

[George7941]

If you were evaluating their products based on their Better Than OEM, Fixing OEM Design Flaws claims, you would think that they were a top notch company. Here is one of their videos


They have some good products but many of them are of poor quality. Why don't they improve quality even if it entails increasing prices?

 

[mrsilv04]

Is there more (or the same) level of profit in raising quality and raising prices? Why doesn't Chrysler improve quality even if it entails increasing prices?

Dorman very well might be happy right where they currently are.

 

[Kira]

I bet a percentage of parts come out at a given quality level and they have no option but to go with it.

 

[George7941]

There is more to life than just profits. I would choose improved quality and therefore reputation, even if it meant less profit.

Dorman is an old well established company and its management should be ashamed for letting its reputation be blemished.

 

[eljefino]

I bet a percentage of parts come out at a given quality level and they have no option but to go with it.

Dorman has a large catalogue and deep distribution. Imagine a restaurant wtih 500 things on the menu. They won't all be great. When Dorman is the only part in town, many people are happy it's there at all.

 

[Chris142]

The few dorman parts I have used worked as designed.

 

[Donald]

Doorman makes some parts no one else seem to make except the manufacturer. And possibly the manufacturer has stopped making parts as model is over 10 years old. But if there are other companies besides Doorman then I would probably avoid Doorman.

I am not sure that I believe Doorman improves on the original design when they manufacture replacement parts.

 

[paulo57509]

The only Dorman product I've had an out of the box problem was with the coolant/windshield washer reservoir in the Safari.

After installation, I filled both and went on my way. A few days later, I looked under the hood to top off the coolant. I found both reservoirs empty.

I exchanged it for another (RA) and the replacement was fine. Bottom line value, not so much. Will I use a Dorman replacement part again? Based on a personal sample size of one, probably.

 

[92saturnsl2]

There is more to life than just profits. I would choose improved quality and therefore reputation, even if it meant less profit.

Dorman is an old well established company and its management should be ashamed for letting its reputation be blemished.

The problem is that approach doesn't make shareholders happy. Maximum profits / share price / dividends, etc. does. If this is a private company, there's probably a huge family going back generations that want the same thing.

In a nutshell: hire talented management that's paid well to produce maximum profit. Management is happy, shareholders and/or family are happy, Capitalism 101.

 

[Braapdaddy]

Dorman is hit or miss there are some products that are a upgrade where metal is used over plastic or similar material design changes to a known to break part .......then some are a gamble I have used dorman injector harnesses on powerstrokes and one side failed in two days this is under the valver cover buried in the engine the corresponding ford that replaced it ( 8C3Z ) parts worked no issues years later

I have also had Dorman parts that were actual factory parts with the Ford logo hand ground off and given a Dorman 6 digit part number

 

[George7941]

The problem is that approach doesn't make shareholders happy. Maximum profits / share price / dividends, etc. does. If this is a private company, there's probably a huge family going back generations that want the same thing.

In a nutshell: hire talented management that's paid well to produce maximum profit. Management is happy, shareholders and/or family are happy, Capitalism 101.

That is not Capitalism 101, that is Greed/Short Term Thinking 101. If you want good long term performance, you would put a lot of emphasis on quality.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Dorman is hit or miss. You just have to know which of their products are good and which are junk

Their transmission pans are usually good. They have a drain plug where OE doesn't. Also, the parts that are an upgrade of a known bad design are also good. Many of those are metal replacements for poorly designed OE plastic parts that break all the time.

 

[Dave9]

Dorman is crap last resort.

If it's the last resort, okay then, otherwise dorman should make a spork that I can stab into my eyeball instead.

If dorman can sell me a cheaper spork to do that, I'm not sure what my appreciation level should be.

Just no (if you can help it).

 

[AZjeff]

Just replaced 2 PCV grommets in the Jeep 4.0 valve cover with Dorman parts. Couldn't ask for a better fit. Not a complicated part but nice that they fit correctly.

 

[D60]

I have also had Dorman parts that were actual factory parts with the Ford logo hand ground off and given a Dorman 6 digit part number

This doesn't last. They buy remaining stock and rights to the part/specs when Ford no longer wants to make the part.

Eventually remaining stock is exhausted and then you get Dorman Institute of Crapology parts.

 

[D60]

Dorman offers A LOT of things that would have once been dealer-only or junkyard.

I've been saying for decades now I'd happily pay significantly more for their products if they'd also raise quality.....but clearly this won't happen

 

[Trav]

Most of my experience with Dorman is hit and miss, as others have said sort of last resort stuff. I did have one very good experience experience with them though.

 

[John105]

They're a behemoth, I know someone who does business with them.

My theory is for the most part, things get worse as a co grows. Not always, but usually. Kind of like successful family businesses normally going out of business by the 3rd generation.

 

[Egg_Head]

The few dorman parts I have used worked as designed.

Would I buy a Dorman engine or transmission if they made one? Probably not, but the parts I have used, I have had no issues with.

 

[Nukeman7]

Like most said here, Dorman quality is hit or miss with most items being generic type fitments that are lower in quality than OEM. However, there are occasional gems such as the aluminum coolant elbow upgrade for GM 3.8 V-6 motors and aluminum oil canister filter housing for the 3.6 Pentastars.

Coincidentally, just this week, I replaced the evap. canister purge valve on my '97 Jeep Wrangler with a Dorman part. It was exactly the same part as OEM, right down to unique mold lines and markings. All for $24 instead of $68 from Mopar.