ABSTRACT
Analyzing the field failure behaviour of systems assembled in automobiles is one approach to determine the amount of end of life components for long periods. Therefore reliability prognosis models were developed to predict the future failure behaviour based on warranty data which is recorded during the warranty period. Generally warranty data of the first 2 to 5 years is available depending on company and product. Due to this censored data special models had to be developed. In 1998 the University of Wuppertal in connection with a major automotive supplier presented a reliability prognosis model based on warranty data which enabled reliability predictions for automotive components. Taking the censored data into consideration this model has been proved to be suitable in practice to answer several questions regarding quality, reliability, safety and economic issues as shown in (Pauli 1998).
