- Lexus ranked highest in vehicle dependability in J.D. Power and Associates' annual U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study released on Wednesday. Chrysler Group's four brands finished at the bottom of the list.
- Toyota grabbed eight segment awards in the study, more than any other automaker in 2012.
- The study looked at 2009 model-year vehicles and reports "historically high levels of vehicle dependability in 2012," despite the auto industry's downturn during the Great Recession.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, California — Lexus ranked highest in vehicle dependability in J.D. Power and Associates' annual U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study released on Wednesday. Chrysler Group's four brands — Ram, Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler — finished at the bottom of the list.
Rounding out the five highest-ranking nameplates are Porsche, Cadillac, Toyota and Scion, respectively.
Toyota grabbed eight segment awards in the study — more than any other automaker in 2012 — for the Lexus ES 350, Lexus RX 350, Scion tC, Scion xB, Toyota Prius, Toyota Sienna, Toyota Tundra and Toyota Yaris. The highest-ranked midsize premium car was the Hyundai Genesis. Ford received three segment awards, for the Ford Explorer (which tied with the Nissan Murano), Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ.
Of the 32 brands measured, 25 showed improved vehicle dependability from 2011.
"Domestic nameplates have improved in 2012 at a slightly faster rate than imports, narrowing the dependability gap," said J.D. Power and Associates in a statement.
The study looked at 2009 model-year vehicles and reports "historically high levels of vehicle dependability in 2012," despite the auto industry's downturn during the Great Recession.
Inside Line says: An amazing report card for many automakers, as they committed to building high-quality products even during tough times.
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williered says:
02:35 PM, 03/01/2012
Chrysler and the inferior quality of their products is legendary in the business, while Toyota / Lexus has been at or near the top of quality surveys for at least the past 20-25 years.
williered says:
02:30 PM, 03/01/2012
This article regarding a comparison between Lexus and Chrysler could have been written every year since the first year of Lexus in 1989.
Chrysler products are most well know for their inferior quality across the board year after year and would be out of business without the government bailout.
Never have had a serious problem with a Lexus since our first one twenty years ago.
scaticus says:
07:08 PM, 02/16/2012
The article doesnt make me sick even thought I cant stand Toyota products, its the poeple on here praising the Japanese automakers and slamming all the American companies, whats wrong with you people! Im willing to bet those that are slamming Chrysler havnt even driven one in the last 10 years, yet you all know about how crappy the products are right? The peoples loyalty to all things other than American makes me sick! Just move to Canada or Japan please!!
megatrontype_r says:
08:34 AM, 02/16/2012
Don't care, Toyota doesn't have a single exciting car in its entire lineup (yes, that includes the IS-F, FR-S, and LFA). Toyota makes transportation appliances, not cars.
says:
08:33 AM, 02/16/2012
Yikes people, read the article. It's based on 2009 models. The models that were designed and executed under the "dumbler" umbrella. Now let's see, all of the 2009 merc's, bmw's, and lexii, are coming off their new car warranty, who'll purchase them then? My 'crappy' 05 magnum has been virtually trouble free since purchase and still holds nearly 50% of it's original value. I'll stack it against any import when it comes to repair costs or parts availability. These so-called sites don't give any pertinent info about real world ownership, most of the people who rely on this info generally can't tell a car from a bus.
wikiwiki says:
08:20 AM, 02/16/2012
But they're Imported from Detroit. And what we make, makes us, right? Or something like that. Stop paying celebrities to push your junk and try to make a better car instead.
nissmazlover says:
07:42 AM, 02/16/2012
@ vwestchester:
OH, man! Your comment was GREAT! I absolutely DETEST those commercials, as well - ESPECIALLY the one you talked about with that "120 lb. adult toddler hipster scumbags being "gifted" new cars from their short-haired androgynous trust fund girlfriends." HA! That's awesome, and I made the same type of observation to anyone that saw the commercial along with me. So sad, so sad. Anyway, awesome post!
moron101 says:
06:19 AM, 02/16/2012
"...Chrysler stumbles in...dependability study." Is this news? After my experience as a previous new Dodge RAM 1500 owner, I vowed never to set foot in a Chrysler/Dodge dealership for the rest of my life. Everything from the sales to ownership experience was fraught with negative impressions.
So I ask myself, is this study a revelation or just confirmation of what I've already experienced first hand? And for all you right wing nuts, I will believe as much as the next American in our manufacturers WHEN they begin to build quality cars -- Ford being the only exception.
vikasdesai says:
05:27 AM, 02/16/2012
sheesh, used to be acura and infiniti were right there, my m56 doesn't start in the cold, still would take over any boring old lex
kkear3 says:
09:19 PM, 02/15/2012
I have a Mercedes C-class. It is virtually trouble-free. I also have a Toyota Tundra. It has given me many problems. Go figure.
I had a Jaguar. It gave me nothing but trouble. No surprise there.