April 2008
Reliability trends
Our latest survey tracks a decade's worth of trouble
Reliability remains a forte for most Japanese brands. Twenty-three of the 33 models in our “most reliable” list are from Japanese
automakers. Moreover, we’ve predicted average reliability or better for all Honda and Subaru models based on our most recent
survey.
This year’s forecast shows that domestic models, led by Ford, continue to improve and that there are small improvements in European makes as well.
Toyota’s previously sterling reliability has slipped a bit, and two Toyota models, the V6 Camry and the four-wheel-drive, V8 version of the Tundra, have below-average reliability in their 2007 redesign. The all-wheel-drive version of the Lexus GS also dropped below average. We now predict below-average reliability for all three models and can no longer recommend them.
Other news from our latest survey:
THE SURVEY AND OUR RATINGS
The 2007 Annual Car Reliability Survey is the largest of its kind and gathered responses on almost 1.3 million vehicles owned or leased by Consumer Reports or ConsumerReports.org subscribers. Those results underpin the most comprehensive reliability data you'll find anywhere. Such a large survey response allows us to provide reliability data on most new or redesigned for 2007 models, and we can also report on some expensive and low-volume models.
Predicted reliability for 2008 models is our forecast of how well the models that are currently on sale are likely to hold up, based on how they've done in the past. It's based on the reported overall reliability (used car verdicts) for the newest three models years (2005-2007) if the model hasn't changed significantly for 2008. One or two years of reliability data may be used if a model was new or has been redesigned in that period or if we don't have data for more years.
This year’s forecast shows that domestic models, led by Ford, continue to improve and that there are small improvements in European makes as well.
Toyota’s previously sterling reliability has slipped a bit, and two Toyota models, the V6 Camry and the four-wheel-drive, V8 version of the Tundra, have below-average reliability in their 2007 redesign. The all-wheel-drive version of the Lexus GS also dropped below average. We now predict below-average reliability for all three models and can no longer recommend them.
Other news from our latest survey:
- Despite Toyota's problems, the automaker still ranks third overall in reliability, behind only Honda and Subaru, with 11 models
in the best list. Honda has six with a smaller model lineup.
- Only three domestic models made the Most reliable list: the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and the two-wheel-drive Ford F-150
with the V6 engine. U.S. makes, however, account for almost half the models—25 of 44—on the Least reliable list. There are
13 from GM, 6 from Chrysler, and 1 from Ford.
- European makes account for 17 models on the Least reliable list. This includes six each from Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen/Audi.
THE SURVEY AND OUR RATINGS
The 2007 Annual Car Reliability Survey is the largest of its kind and gathered responses on almost 1.3 million vehicles owned or leased by Consumer Reports or ConsumerReports.org subscribers. Those results underpin the most comprehensive reliability data you'll find anywhere. Such a large survey response allows us to provide reliability data on most new or redesigned for 2007 models, and we can also report on some expensive and low-volume models.
Predicted reliability for 2008 models is our forecast of how well the models that are currently on sale are likely to hold up, based on how they've done in the past. It's based on the reported overall reliability (used car verdicts) for the newest three models years (2005-2007) if the model hasn't changed significantly for 2008. One or two years of reliability data may be used if a model was new or has been redesigned in that period or if we don't have data for more years.
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