The fed gov has made the manufactures jump through CAFE hoops. We are seeing the pains of the nonsense. How in the world could you screw up a diesel engine? Fed gov and epa says hold my beer. The major auto makers have been forced to make changes the market may have never demanded. The result, we have some incredible vehicles on the road today. They are capable of lasting longer and providing more creature comforts than ever before. Lots of good things, but a lack of ease of repairable systems, and the global market push that makes entire systems and assemblies made by others prior to final assembly. Problems prop up and the effects of cutting corners are absolutely disastrous.
So what do we really need in a vehicle? I would be willing (gladly) to give up all the tech that each of the manufacturers say is necessary. Give me a well tuned engine with a solid transmission, power steering, power disc brakes, air conditioning, and a simple radio and let it go at that. Crash standards with air bags? sure. but do we need all the other stuff? I've driven Ford's almost daily since 1995. I have also experienced problems with the brand, but nothing major other than a AOD transmission and the wonderful two piece spark plug design.
My biggest gripe for any of the manufacturers is that you can not easily work on the platform. Some of the maintenance items are crazy stupid to get to for routine maintenance. Some of the stuff you need to do you can't even see while doing it. The blend door in an F150, come on man! Designs need to be considered that improve the ability of a person to work on their vehicle. You have to take a fuel tank out to change a fuel pump? Even simple stuff, you don't need to mount a oil filter any way but upside down so you don't pour oil all over the place. A pan plug that doesn't pour oil all over a cross member or anti roll bar. A simple process to replace coolant.