Toyota Leads Consumer Reports Reliability Survey

Although some experts think the difference is insignificant, Toyota took the three top spots in the 2012 Consumer Reports reliability study. Ford, typically a top player in the study, fell to near the bottom.

Seeing the survey outcomes

Japanese car manufacturers took the top seven places in the survey, with Toyota's Scion, Toyota and Lexus marques grabbing the top three honors.

Dealers such as Michael's Toyota of Bellevue, Washington should be happy about that news. Toyota Motor Sales USA chief executive Jim Lentz said:

"We're pleased with the findings, which reflect actual customer experience, not just reviewer opinion."

The top ten incorporated Mazda, Subaru, Honda, Acura, Audi, Infiniti and Kia after the top three.

What carmakers hit bottom?

Cadillac, GMC, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, Chevrolet, BMW, Hyundai and Volkswagen ranked 11 through 18. The bottom 10 was Jeep, Volvo, Buick, Mini, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Lincoln, Ford and Jaguar.

Ford not up there

Jaguar traditionally earns the bottom spot. But for Ford, it is quite another matter. Two years back, it was rated by Consumer Reports as the most dependable U.S. car manufacturer. Its fall from grace was attributed to connectivity problems with its MyFord/MyLincoln Touch electronic entertainment system.

The system did much better after the software upgrade that Ford did, but apparently that was not enough for Ford to be redeemed in the public's eyes.

According to Ford spokesman Mark Schirmer:

"Consumer Reports is hugely important to Ford; you can't dismiss Consumer Reports in any way. We offered a major improvement to MyFord Touch in the spring and began offering new transmission calibrations this summer. Unfortunately, there are still some bugs in the system that we are working through."

Ranking depending on last three years

The readership was surveyed to get the data for the Consume Report reliability survey for the last three years, unless a vehicle was redesigned during that time period. Vehicle testing was not done to get the outcomes.

Splitting hairs?

Edmunds.com vice chairman Jeremy Anwyl explained that automobiles are much more reliable than they were years back. In fact, people will probably not even look at the report before making their decision. He said:

"The reality today is that cars are very reliable compared to what they were in the past. It is not something people should be really worrying about."