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Survey: Domestic Cars' Reliability Improving

November 10, 2006
Consumer Reports' annual car reliability survey shows some domestic models have become as reliable as their Japanese competitors, and that as a group, family and small cars have the best predicted reliability.

Still, Asian models continue to be the most reliable overall.

The magazine found three of Ford Motor Company's newest models scored among the top players, with the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans scoring slightly better than the Honda Accord V6 and Toyota Camry V6.

The Lincoln Zephyr also did well, scoring second in predicted reliability to the Lexus ES350, the leader in the upscale cars category.

In addition, the Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS -- both first-year models -- scored above average in the large cars category, with the Lucerne scoring higher than the Toyota Avalon. However, the new Dodge Charger scored below average and the Dodge Magnum dropped to below average in predicted reliability.

Overall, 39 of the 47 vehicles with the highest predicted reliability scores are Japanese. Just six are domestic models -- the Fusion/Milan/Zephyr trio, the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon large sport-utility vehicles (SUV), and the Pontiac Vibe wagon.

Europe and South Korea each have one model rated most reliable, with the 2006 design Mini Cooper hatchback and the new Hyundai Azera respectively.

Among the vehicles predicted to be least reliable by Consumer Reports, a total of eight Mercedes-Benz vehicles made the list, the most for any one brand. These are the S-Class (2006), CLS, E-Class Sedan, SL, CLK, SLK (V6), M-Class, and R-Class.

The redesigned M-Class SUV and new R-Class crossover were especially disappointing, with between 129 percent and 202 percent more problems than the average vehicle.

Small Cars Best

As a group, family and small cars had the best-predicted reliability in the survey. In the small car category, the most reliable vehicles are the new Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris, the Honda Civic Hybrid, and the Toyota Corolla.

The Chevrolet Cobalt, with 37 percent more problems than the average, scored the lowest among small cars, followed by the Nissan Sentra (2006), the Volkswagen Jetta (5-cyl.) and the Chevrolet Aveo.

The new Hyundai Azera tops the large-sedan category, with excellent predicted reliability. The V6 model of the Volkswagen Passat, which was redesigned for 2006, rated above average, while four-cylinder version of the Passat is below average. The BMW 3 Series has average predicted reliability.

The least reliable upscale/large cars are the Jaguar X-Type, Chrysler 300 (V8) and Saab 9-3, in that order. The new Dodge Charger also has subpar reliability.

"CR's reliability survey suggests that domestic manufacturers are making progress in their push to make more reliable vehicles-though they still have some work to do. We also see continued improvements in vehicles from Korean manufacturers," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center in Connecticut.

The 2006 Annual Car Reliability Survey, the largest of its kind, gathered information on about 1.3 million vehicles from subscribers to Consumer Reports and www.ConsumerReports.org -- 30 percent more than last year. The survey was conducted in the spring of 2006 and covered model years 1997 to 2006.

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