Toyota Motor Corp.’s quality reputation got dinged in the latest Consumer Reports survey of new-vehicle buyers, as glitches in new models pushed the company from the top of the magazine’s rankings and canceled the automatic “recommended” rating bestowed on new Toyota, Scion and Lexus models.
The magazine’s closely watched survey released Tuesday also gave high marks to Ford Motor Co.’s lineup, and offered some encouraging news to General Motors, with Buick becoming the first Detroit brand to crack the top 10 for reliability.
The overall pattern of foreign automakers dominating the rankings held firm. But, despite Ford’s strides, Detroit failed to make many inroads among the top tier of most reliable models. Detroit automakers have long complained that the Consumer Reports surveys of more than 1 million owners understated their quality improvements. Thanks to a base of 6 million subscribers, the magazine has made itself into the highest-profile critic of new cars and trucks, with recommendations that carry more sway than any other publication.
In years past, the magazine has granted its “recommended” tag to new Toyotas and Hondas fresh out of the factory based on the automakers’ reputation for quality, while waiting for surveys on Detroit models before passing judgment. David Champion, director of automotive testing, said problems with Toyota’s best-selling Camry midsize sedan, pricey Lexus GS luxury sedan and heralded new Tundra full-size pickup raised enough concerns that Consumer Reports can no longer assume every new Toyota will be reliable.
“We used to recommend all Toyotas because of excellent reliability,” Champion said. “We’re not going to do that any more.”
Those problems sent Toyota’s ranking among 36 brands from first to fifth, with Honda Motor Co. and its Acura division assuming the top two spots.
Toyota spokesman Xavier Dominicis said the company still was proud of its results. Of the 39 models that Consumer Reports rates “most reliable,” Toyota builds 17; it commands three of the top six rankings among brands, and its Yaris hatchback was rated the most reliable new model.
“Are there opportunities for improvement? Sure, and we are redoubling our efforts to address anything that would be a concern to consumers,” Dominicis said. “The report reflects well on our products.”
The news was far more upbeat for Ford, where 41 of the 44 models in the survey scored average or better reliability. The Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ midsize sedans all scored near the top of their class, just behind the benchmark Honda Accord; the Ford Edge and Taurus, Mercury Sable and Lincoln MKX had strong showings as well.
Champion said Ford was approaching the kind of across-the-board quality buyers used to associate only with Japanese brands.
“Ford is moving the whole company up,” Champion said. “Apart from their diesel and four-wheel drive trucks, they seem to be doing very well.”
The Consumer Reports study follows a J.D. Power analysis in June that also found Ford had improved its quality, even for brand-new models that are typically Detroit’s downfall.
“We’re very pleased with the results, and we’re seeing consistency in the indicators that we’re substantially improving our quality,” said Graydon Reitz, Ford director of quality for the Americas.
The survey was more mixed for GM and Chrysler. While both picked up some “recommended” ratings, some of their scores worsened. Outside of Buick, the only other GM brand to hit average was Saturn, while Cadillac and Hummer beat only Land Rover for reliability. While the Pontiac Vibe was one of four models from the domestic automakers to earn a “most-reliable” rating, the Pontiac Solstice had the worst scores of any new car.
Bob Ottolini, GM’s executive director of product development and quality, said the report “tells us we’re on the right journey.”
“It tells us that we need to remain vigilant and really force consistency … so that products that we bring out will stay recommended,” he said.
Additional
Vehicle reliability
Models with improved reliability
BMW 7 Series
BMW X3
Cadillac STS (V6)
Chrysler 300 (V8)
Dodge Charger
Ford Explorer (V6)
Ford F-150
Ford Mustang
Jaguar S-Type
Jeep Commander
Kia Sportage
Mazda RX-8
Porsche 911
Saab 9-3
VW Jetta (5-cylinder)
Volvo S40 (non-turbo)
Models with declining reliability
BMW 6 Series
Chevrolet Suburban
Chevrolet Tahoe
Chrysler 300 (V6)
Dodge Ram 1500
GMC Yukon
GMC Yukon XL
Hyundai Entourage
Kia Amanti
Kia Sedona
Lexus GS (V6, AWD)
Pontiac G6
Toyota Camry (V6)
Toyota Tundra (V8, 4WD)
VW Passat (V6)
Highlights of the study
• 19 domestic models were added to Consumer Reports’ “Newly Recommended” list, including the GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook, in their first years.
• Of the domestic models Consumer Reports tested, 93% of Ford, 49% of General Motors and 67% of Chrysler models had average or better predicted reliability.
• 34 of the 39 models in the “Most Reliable” list are Asian: 17 from Toyota; 7 from Honda; 3 each from Hyundai and Nissan; 2 from Subaru, and 1 each from Mitsubishi and Mazda.
• The Pontiac Solstice received the worst new-car prediction score in the 2007 survey.
• Among the 36 makes, Land Rover is the least reliable, on average.
Consumer Reports’ list of most reliable vehicles
(NOTES: Models marked with * use data based on one model year only; Models marked with 2007 have been redesigned for 2008)
SMALL CARS
• Toyota Yaris*
• Honda Fit*
• Toyota Corolla
• Honda Civic
• Scion xA(2007)
• Mazda3
• Suburu Impreza (2007)
• Hyundai elantra*
FAMILY CARS
• Toyota Prius
• Honda Accord (2007)
• Hyundai Sonata (4 cyl)
• Toyota Camry Hybrid*
• Ford Fusion
• Mercury Milan
UPSCALE/LUXURY
• Lexus G5450h (Hybrid)*
• Acura TSX
• Infiniti M
• Lexus IS (RWD)
• Volvo S60 (FWD)
SMALL SUVs
• Honda Element
• Mitsubishi Outlander
• Toyota RAV4 (4 Cyl)
• Hyundai Tuscon (FWD)
• Subaru Forester
• Honda CR-V*
• Nissan Xterra
MIDSIZE SUVs
LARGE SUVs
• Toyota Land Cruiser (2007)*
WAGONS/MINIVANS
• Pontiac Vibe
• Scion xB(2007)
• Toyota Matrix
• Toyota Sienna
PICKUP TRUCKS
• Toyota Tundra (V8, 2WD)*
• Toyota Tacoma (4cyl)
• Ford F-150 (V6, 2WD)
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