The Most Dependable Cars

With few exceptions, most cars and trucks coming out of the factory these days are well-built and thoughtfully designed, earning high marks from consumers for their initial quality.

But ask car buyers again in three years whether they’re satisfied with their car’s reliability and you might get a different answer. Indeed, vehicle quality is best measured a few years down the road, after it’s logged 40,000 or 50,000 miles, been driven over potholes and endured the kind of abuse that comes from being used as a living room on wheels.

That’s where it gets interesting.

J.D. Power and Associates does just that each year, by surveying owners of three-year-old cars to see how they’re holding up. Its latest Vehicle Dependability Study, based on responses from 37,000 owners of 2010 model-year cars and trucks, was released today.

It’s no surprise, probably, that Lexus tops this year’s study as the most reliable brand. But how about Lincoln tying with Toyota for third place? Or that Buick, Ram and Chevrolet are all above average? Or Land Rover, with a reputation for rugged luxury, is the least reliable nameplate. Volkswagen and Audi are also below average.

The study measures problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of three-year-old vehicles. Dependability is determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles, with a lower score reflecting higher quality.

Toyota Motor, which was dogged by quality recalls a few years ago, nonetheless has the most reliable model in seven segments — Lexus ES 350; Lexus RX; Scion xB; Scion xD; Toyota Prius; Toyota Sienna; and Toyota RAV4. General Motors had the most reliable vehicle in four segments – the Buick Lucerne; Chevrolet Camaro; Chevrolet Tahoe; and GMC Sierra HD pickup.

Overall, vehicle dependability is at an all-time high, so if you can’t afford a new vehicle, or you simply don’t want one, you should feel confident about buying a pre-owned car, especially one that is certified by the manufacturer.

And if you’re worried about buying a pre-owned car that was all-new or redesigned the year it first went on sale, don’t be. J.D. Power says the perception that these first-year models aren’t as dependable as carryover models is false. In fact, dependability of all-new and redesigned models is at a record high, according to the latest study.

Another misconception is that domestic brands are less reliable. The study showed that improvements in vehicle dependability have been made by both domestic and import brands, and the gap between the two is narrowing. Overall, domestic nameplates average 133 problems per 100 vehicles, while import nameplates average 123. The average for all vehicles is 126 problems per 100 vehicles, up 5 percent from last year’s survey of 2009 models.

Lincoln’s third-place ranking ought to be good news for parent Ford Motor Co., but it underscores the challenge the automaker faces trying to revive the slow-selling brand. Lincoln makes good cars, but its brand reputation is still lagging. Ford plans to introduce four new Lincoln models over the next four years, but its first one, a redesigned MKZ, is only trickling into dealerships as Ford works to ensure quality.

“The continuous improvement in long-term dependability means consumers should have more confidence in three-year-old vehicles, whether they are keeping their current vehicle or shopping for a used car, truck, crossover or SUV,” said David Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power. “This means there are a lot of dependable off-lease vehicles in the used-vehicle market. It also means that owners who keep their vehicle beyond the manufacturer’s warranty period are able to have greater peace of mind that vehicles are becoming increasingly more dependable. That said, it is virtually certain that new vehicles being sold today will be even more reliable in three years.”

http://www.forbes.com/sites/joannmu...cars-include-some-surprises/?partner=yahootix

 

I heard about the problems with Range Rover and Volkswagon makes absolute crap!

 

The most dependable items, not just cars, still come from japan. You know why? Culture. Their standards are much higher than americans when it comes to family and work.

Ever since I was 18 I have owned various toyota/lexus vehicles and all have been driven hard but maintained well and never given me any problems.

 

I agree that the Japanese make superior cars, but the reason for that is because of an American:

[h=1]W. Edwards Deming[/h]

 

Just sold my '07 GT Mustang and got a Supercrew F-150 4x4. Never had 1 issue with the mustang and I am hoping the F-150 is as reliable.

The article doesn't really mention Fords except that its the parent company of lincoln.. I wonder how ford branded vehicles managed?

 

Me too bro. We've had all Toyotas, except for one Honda Accord, for over 20 years. They have always been reliable. I change the oil, change the transmission fluid, and because I'm a little more anal than most even change the power steering fluid. It's rare that I have to do much to any of these cars. We have a 2003 Sequoia with 125,000 miles on it. I just had the most major (actually ONLY repair other than brakes) ever on it- the rear cargo door handle broke.

 

This will blow your mind

http://biertijd.com/mediaplayer/?itemid=39089

 

That is pretty awesome.

I would never be able to trust that thing and just walk away like that lady though. I'd just be thinking that my vehicles is like 2 miles away in a ditch somewhere because the computer went nutso.

 

My last 3 Chevy S10 based vehicles had less than $300 of unschedualed maintence in an ave of 170,000 miles of use.

The reliability of japanese cars are highly over blown. Besides why should we send our money to Japan and ruin our economy???

 

Horse(*)(*)(*)(*).

 

skillz

So what rust bucket jap POS car companies do you work for?? I have bought 17 brand new Chevrolets over the years, and all of them have been nearly flawless. Part of the reason for that is the fact I service my own cars using the very best oil.

 

bear

That was per car. It was small stuff like a heater motor, a wiper motor, and an electric window motor. All of which I changed out myself.

I do all my maintence, and have my own sched that usually exceeds what Chevy recommended. I use the best grade of Mobil 1 synthetic engine oil.

 

chevs, fords and dodge had them all, always something to repair(went through 3 engines on the chev silverado)...switched to my first toyota 14yrs ago and I still have the same vehicle and other than routine maintenance I've done nothing to it...added another new toyota Tundra to my collection 5 yrs ago and it's never let me down...I bought a used 2001 in "08 Acura MDX and it too is flawless... my neighbours 2 yr old Chev Tahoe is a regular visitor to the dealer repair shop(he still claims chevies are best lol)...I may try a german next (likely Audi or BMW)but I'll never go back to domestic...

and do we want to mention resale? Toyota's hold their value better than domestics...

 

and my daughter has an Oldsmobile that is a piece of crap, endless trips to the repair shop she only keeps it because her grandfather gave it to her for free...

 

I have had very good experience with Mercedes Benz over the last 25 years. Just bought a BMW that i believe was made in South Carolina.

There aren't any bad cars any more, unlike the 1970's when there weren't any good ones.

 

Yeah, I got an 98 Oldsmobile Cutlass for short time in 2004 in a "deal", the head cracked, a few $400 engine sensors went out, a couple other $1000 repairs, then some nice lady ran me off the road into a yard. which ripped out the undercarriage. The insurance gave me $2000 for it after having spent $5000 in the previous 12 months.

My find this past year was a 1991 Honda Civic AWD Wagon! Sold to me for a $1000 by a friend whose husband died and who didn't want to sell it to a stranger. It had 140,000 miles and I have already put on 30,000 trouble free miles besides updating the air conditioner to modern coolant and brakes.

Its a popular drifter car, and kids keep offering to buy it in parking lots! lol

But there is a Turbocharge kit for this car, and I have to keep telling myself that Turbo acceleration in that car is simply going to get me speeding tickets! And NONE of the chicks MY age will be impressed. I am not 18 any more.. But I still would LOVE to be a drifter.

 

There's no question that American made (Detroit) cars built today are far superior to the ones built in the '80's and '90's. They were absolute crap back then.
Still would go with a Toyota, but I wouldn't be afraid to buy an American car now,

 

I've owned a Subaru for the last 5 years and the intangible aspect of not slipping in the rain or snow is worth far more than any reliability rating. Ironically, Subaru does well with regard to Consumer Reports (i.e. the only source of information that isn't bought and paid for).

 

I owned a 2004 Chevy Malibu Classic til 2010 when I totaled it. That dang car was soooo dependable, never needed anything but oil change. It figures that they changed the design starting 2005. To bad.

My Sonata Hyndai 2011 has been a lemon---unbelievable how many times that car has to go in for replacement of defective parts.

 

that's normal I think, people tend to stay with what works, american cars may indeed be better today but Japanese product owners need incentive to switch from something that has been very reliable for them...

I find newer fords tempting but not enough to make me give up my toyota and acura...

having recently rented two domestics a Jeep Patriot (absolute crap) and a GMC Sierra (just ok) I feel no need to change to those brands...

 

Dave, how did the A/C update work and if you don't mind, how much was it? The A/C in my '92 Accord died and am considering the upgrade.

 

I gave up on American cars after so many problems over the years. We only drive BMW products...the ultimate driving machine.

 

This can be an error.

My son is a very savvy systems engineer in need of a Toy Highlander. Turns out that post-Ca$h4Clunker$, used Highlanders were priced the same per-mile as new. They would obviously require more repairs and net out as no bargain. He bought new (and paid cash!?!?). How did he save up $27K and who taught him that trick?

Thanks, Obama, for fing up the car market.

I dread my next used Camry purchase in this dicked up market.