Poll: Ford Models Rank Above Toyota and Mercedes Hit Rock Bottom

Agent009 submitted on 11/10/2006 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 1:44 PM
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[57] user comments | category: Misc News

Tags: Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports' latest 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. However Asian models continue to be the most reliable overall.

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.

Consumer Reports' New Car Preview 2007, on sale now everywhere magazines are sold, includes reviews and information on 264 models and a first look at CR's latest reliability findings. 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. These results underpin the most comprehensive reliability data available in the United States.

Consumer Reports' expert team of survey researchers and statisticians used the survey data to predict reliability of new, 2007 model-year vehicles. To calculate predicted-reliability ratings on currently-available models, CR averages the overall reliability scores for the most recent three years, provided that the vehicle remained substantially unchanged in that period and also didn't change for 2007. If a vehicle was new or redesigned in the past couple of years, one or two years' data may be used, if that's all that's available.

New Car Preview ($6.99 U.S./$7.99 Canada) is part of the respected Consumer Reports Cars series of special automotive publications. More detailed results and analysis of the Annual Car Reliability Survey will be presented in Consumer Reports Annual Auto Issue next April.

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 wee especially disappointing, with between 129 percent and 202 percent more problems than the average vehicle.

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.

Among the other findings in New Car Preview 2007:

• Of the 47 Japanese cars that earned Consumer Reports' Most Reliable rating, 21 (45%) are from Toyota and its Lexus division. Honda and its Acura division had 11 (23%) models on the list. European and Korean manufacturers-Mini and Hyundai respectively-each had one (2% each). Six domestic models made the list, three (6.5%) from Ford and three (6.5%) from GM. (See the complete list below.)

• Of the 45 cars that are on Consumer Reports' Least Reliable list, five (11%) are Japanese, all from Nissan and its Infiniti division, specifically the Nissan Titan, Nissan Armada, Infiniti QX56, Nissan Sentra and Nissan Quest. All but the Sentra are built in Nissan's Canton, Miss. plant. A total of 20 (44%) are domestic, with 12 (27%) from GM, five (11%) from Ford and three (7%) from the Chrysler Group. European models from Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Porsche, BMW, Volvo, Saab and Land Rover fill 19 (42%) spots.

• Though they still make up a minority of most reliable vehicles, CR's data shows that domestic models are improving. For example, the number of domestic vehicles on this year's Most Reliable list is up from two to six. The number of Least Reliable domestic models fell to 17, from 21. Twelve models are newly recommended, up from 10.

• Nissan's reliability has improved somewhat. While the predicted reliability of the Nissan Armada and Infiniti QX56 are still about 135 percent worse than the average vehicle, they had half as many problems as they did in last year's survey. The Quest minivan, though still much worse than average this year, had fewer problems than minivans from General Motors.

Like last year, the most reliable SUVs still come from Japanese automakers, though American SUVs got a boost from GM's redesigned Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon twins. The two scored above average and are now recommended. Among small SUVs, the new Toyota FJ Cruiser scored the best, followed by the Honda Element and the four-cylinder version of the redesigned Toyota RAV4. The Hyundai Tucson, which scored poor last year, improved to above average. Premium SUVs such as the Porsche Cayenne, Volkswagen Touareg, Range Rover Sport and Land Rover LR3 all had below average reliability. The six-cylinder BMW X5 prior to its redesign is the only exception, and had average predicted reliability. The reliability of the Nissan Armada and Infiniti QX56 continued to be much worse than average.

Hybrids, too, continued to have impressive reliability, though the Ford Escape Hybrid dropped from above average to average.

This year, Consumer Reports tested a number of sports cars, including the Porsche 911 Carrera S, which was top-rated by CR for its performance-but is among the least reliable sports cars along with several Mercedes, the Chevrolet Corvette, and the Ford Mustang V6. The redesigned 2006 Mazda Miata is only average, while Pontiac's new Solstice roadster is far below average.

As for minivans, the Toyota Sienna continues to be the only minivan with above-average predicted reliability. The Honda Odyssey and the redesigned Kia Sedona are both average as is the Mazda5. Chrysler minivans remain below average. The Nissan Quest, Chevrolet Uplander, Saturn Relay, and Buick Terraza are all much below average.

With pickups, the Toyota Tundra V6 and the Subaru Baja are the only pickups with much-better-than-average reliability. The Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier rate better than average. Honda's Ridgeline has only average reliability in its first full year on the road. The Cadillac Escalade EXT (prior to its 2007 redesign), turbodiesel versions of the Ford F-250, and the Nissan Titan were far below average in reliability.

Conducted by Consumer Reports' National Research Center, the Annual Car Reliability Survey is used in determining which makes and models are recommended by the organization. Consumer Reports recommends only models that have performed well in tests conducted at its Auto Test Center in Connecticut and that have shown average or better reliability in its annual survey. In addition, vehicles must perform well in government or insurance-industry crash and rollover tests in order to be recommended. Occasionally, Consumer Reports may recommend a new or redesigned model that's too new to have compiled a reliability record if it scores well in CR's tests and if previous generations or the manufacturer had consistently outstanding reliability.

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99gs400 - 11/10/2006 3:39:43 PM

+1 Boost

consumer report feel sorry for Ford ? man MB is really
hurting badly.

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EL34 - 11/10/2006 4:20:41 PM

-2 Boost

I think youre wrong about that.

And I don't think Mercedes has all that many problems, it's just Toyota has less, but not that many less.

Sauceboy01 - 11/10/2006 5:00:26 PM

+1 Boost

oof! shame on your Mercedes! hehe

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S4cabriofox - 11/10/2006 11:14:29 PM

+1 Boost

I completely agree that Mercedes is still shamefully unreliable. One thing I definitely don't agree with:

"Face it, Mercedes is finished as a brand, dead and buried."

This is pure Lexus propaganda. Mercedes's time is far from over, if it will ever end. It sells on image alone, and you're stupid not to think that.

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mitchatlexusofmarin - 11/11/2006 7:34:35 PM

+1 Boost

"This is pure Lexus propaganda."

This is not "Lexus propaganda" Lexus didn't say this, Goldsmith did and he is not "Lexus" last time I checked.

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Carboy - 11/10/2006 5:24:23 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

LAND ROVER IS THE MOST UNRILIEABLE CAR. HEY, EVEN UR FERARI IS UNRILIABLE, AND BMW

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brianlamar - 11/10/2006 5:29:03 PM

+1 Boost

Regardless of how unreliable "they say" Mercedes is, they will still and always be Mercedes.

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mitchatlexusofmarin - 11/11/2006 7:32:25 PM

+2 Boost

For whatever that is worth.

BMWMPower - 11/12/2006 4:57:07 AM

0 Boost

And for that point Lexus is still a Toyota for whatever that is worth... It's even sold as Toyota in half the world so i'm not really sure why we are discussing it in the same sentence as Mercedes.

brianlamar - 11/10/2006 5:36:34 PM

+4 Boost

Toyota is has at least one car per category!!

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BMW530i - 11/10/2006 5:57:44 PM

+1 Boost

Mercedes isn't finished. They're improving quality etc. but as someone mentioned in another thread, it takes years for this to show up.

Did Toyota's ranking go down because of all the recalls? NO.

Get my point?

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BMW530i - 11/11/2006 9:34:49 AM

+1 Boost

The 2006 S-Class doesn't even have enough data yet to be ranked properly in these studies. They're going by the old S-Class reputation.

mitchatlexusofmarin - 11/11/2006 7:40:30 PM

+1 Boost

530I- They don't do that. Or when they do, they specify it.

528i - 11/11/2006 1:38:02 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

WOW BMW is UNRILIABLE????

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99gs400 - 11/11/2006 10:58:53 AM

+2 Boost

YES bmw is very unreliable , i know i work for them.

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audiot - 11/11/2006 1:23:39 PM

+2 Boost

That's a stealthy comment. Please elaborate. Do you work in sales, or maintenance?

BMW530i - 11/11/2006 6:39:45 PM

+2 Boost

It's pretty clear you're a LEXUS TROLL since you have nothing nice to say about any car that isn't a Toyota. I've seen your biased and frankly stupid posts. "MB is finished" <-- Yeah *SARCASM INTENDED*

FYI, I am not a German troll. I read the article, and the S-Class is fairly new. Too new to be fully evaluated IMHO. That's all.

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Ben55 - 11/12/2006 5:50:01 AM

+1 Boost

I'm not sure if any of you boneheads even realize that the 2006 S class is the old W220. The New W221 S is MY 2007.
If you are planning to bash at least get your facts right.

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S4cabriofox - 11/12/2006 9:39:20 AM

+1 Boost

The new S550 is a 2007!

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99gs400 - 11/11/2006 4:49:54 PM

+2 Boost

audiot i work in sales, ppl are buying new and preown BMW left and right. Just because i have seen it share of problems doesnt mean is a good car. ( ppl are buying it for whatever reasons, i am not pointing a gun to there head )I dont go to work to make friends, as long as the cash is keep flowing my way.

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kart1 - 11/11/2006 5:07:49 PM

+1 Boost

So two Ford models rank above Toyota - the Title makes it sound as if Ford as a whole beat Toyota buy a huge margin.

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Homer008 - 11/11/2006 5:20:48 PM

+2 Boost

Its pretty damn sad to see a nice lookin cars such as
MB..barely scoring in reliability barely in the par with Tata, Geely or John-deer lawnmowers.

Sheepdog

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rleggs - 11/11/2006 6:29:05 PM

+1 Boost

any reliability info. regarding the mb gl450?..i didn't see that on the list...is that because cr drivers don't drive one or the vehicle is too new?...any one have general issues with the gl450?...thanks

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BMW530i - 11/11/2006 6:40:22 PM

+2 Boost

Housewives don't feel comfortable driving those, so they don't rate them. ;)

MercBasher - 11/12/2006 1:30:15 PM

+2 Boost

The GL was too new to be rated. However it uses many of the same parts and is built at the same plant as the reliability-challenged ML and R; so if I were betting, I'd place money on the GL also being a reliability flop.

theman - 11/11/2006 6:31:22 PM

+2 Boost

S-class(2002), S class(2006), ClS(2006), E class (2002), ML(2000)..These are the most recent cars me(or family) have owned, and with the occasional dealer maintenance, they ran fine with few reliability issues...

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Ben55 - 11/12/2006 6:36:22 AM

+1 Boost

I have never in my life visited a Lexus forum. I'm not even remotely interested in a car that will always be a MB wannabe. You just proved how insecure you and most Lexus owners are driving your overpriced Toyotas.

What were you trying to prove with that link anyway?
Everybody knows that the SBC was recalled for the bracket and software. This is the price you pay sometimes for having the most advanced car technology. Mercedes innovates, Lexus follows with the copy and paste button.

Bash MB as much as you want, but MB is the one that has 80% of their cars (since the 50s) still on the road, not Lexus.
MB is the one that holds the Guinness book of records for most miles on a single car, not Lexus.
MB is the one that has 21 different models and God knows how many different engines (world wide) vs. Lexus' measly 8 models with 5 engines + 2 hybrid engines that they added recently. If you don't see how this would affect "problems" per car you need a reality check.

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MercBasher - 11/12/2006 1:33:44 PM

+2 Boost

Ben 55 I don't need to buy so many models and engines. I just need a vehicle that works. If you think DCX [Mercedes/Chrysler] makes many more models than Toyota worldwide you're a mess.

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Ben55 - 11/12/2006 3:09:13 PM

0 Boost

Actually they do, but that is not even the point.
We are comparing the luxury division.
Don't even try to compare the company as a whole. They are on a totally different page.
Lexus was crated as an extension to a very successful car brand that sells to the masses, unlike Mercedes, which has been a successful LUXURY brand since day one. See the difference?

“I just need a vehicle that works.” This is typical insecure Lexus owner bashing. Do you think that people with real money like the Trumps, Hiltions, Lenos, etc. of this world would even consider purchasing an MB if it was leaving them stranded every other day? You keep dealing the one and only card that you have, which is a subjective JD power survey.
Mercedes has one or two extra subjective problems per car and you keep blowing it out of proportion. Get over it!!
Mercedes is in the driver’s seat innovating all the time, while Lexus sits in the back seat and copies everything.
Mercedes is the one with 160% more models and who knows how many more engines.
Mercedes is the car of choice for most used car dealerships. Why is that?
It’s because even though a new MB might have one or two extra electrical gremlins, in the long run it will outlast anything that ever comes out of a Toyota plant.
How many Cressidas, I mean ES250s do you see on the road today? How many first generation SC300s (the one with the 3 ft long signal light) do you see on the road today?

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lexusis350 - 11/11/2006 8:57:28 PM

+1 Boost

Here is my prediction:

By 2012, Ford Motor Company will be no more.

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S4cabriofox - 11/12/2006 9:41:29 AM

0 Boost

The car industry fluctuates more than I can count. Ford isn't going anywhere. I actually see a comeback in their future.

99gs400 - 11/13/2006 10:40:03 AM

+3 Boost

god bless u lexusis350, well said.

austintyson - 11/19/2006 9:47:23 AM

+1 Boost

So my question to you is, what happens to all the people Ford employees? If Ford closes its going effect not only The USA but the world. Its just not Ford employees, its dealers ships, suppliers which includs steel compnays, plastic, wiring, glass, rubber and more. So if Ford goes belly up what do you think is going to Happen in the USA? Think we can afford that many people looking for jobs????

Oh by the way anyone else notice that the Three Fords they talked about being better all share the same platform?

austintyson - 11/19/2006 9:52:17 AM

+1 Boost

Sorry I didn't mean to sound like I was attacking you. I am not a big Ford fan, but I do own one a F150 because I need a truck and got good deal, but people are always saying stuff like I wish Ford would just close.. and thats how I was reading it.. not the way you meant it as in the way Ford is going they wont last until 2012

lamar - 1/9/2007 7:46:17 PM

+1 Boost

think ford has been around for what... oh over 100 years... come on

neutral - 11/11/2006 11:31:05 PM

+1 Boost

Lexusis350, FMC has cars ranked above camry and accord. What are you basing your comment off of, the 3rd quarter losses of Ford? GM has HUGE losses last year and from the looks of things, GM will be fine this coming quarter (or at the latest, next year). Please elaborate..

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lexusis350 - 11/12/2006 11:59:48 PM

+1 Boost

I'm basing my comment off of the fact that Ford has layed off thousands of employees, shut down a ton of plants, and can't seem to make a come back. I'm not saying that Ford can't make a come back, I'm just saying it isn't likely.

austintyson - 11/19/2006 9:56:50 AM

+1 Boost

Well whats sad is Fords wayforward plan has been pushed up because shareholders are not seeing progress like they want. I think Fords biggest problem is they make a fix and when its not working 3 months later they make another fix and another and another..when your always fixing the fixs your never going to see an end result.. I think they would be better off planing the future in more than one meeting.

Gennissen - 11/14/2006 5:52:18 AM

+1 Boost

do not be fooled by numbers like 129% and 202%.
1) it just means that it has twice to 3 times more problems than the average car.
2) MB and BMW cars do have a wide range of models and with a heck load of specs and tech. they at least have 5 times more tech than your average car.

put the two together and you are bound to have a lot of problems popping up.

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lexusis350 - 11/14/2006 4:31:24 PM

+1 Boost

Your comment brought tears to my eyes. Just kidding, but you make a great point that all of these Mercedes leeches won't admit to.

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phaetonmeister - 11/13/2006 1:24:52 PM

+1 Boost

Who really gives a rip what consumer reports says...do you take alot of stock in a company that rates everything from hairdryers to toaster ovens and Mercedes-Benz?? I own a 2006 CLK350 with 22000 miles and it hasn't missed a beat.......the typical Mercedes buyer will scream bloody murder if he or she hears a single rattle.......Consumer reports sucks ass

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mmeecc - 11/13/2006 4:27:06 PM

0 Boost

Sometimes I wonder about the IQ of certain people who write these posts... There are so many factors to take into account when you read these surveys. But the most important one of all, is that in the Consumer Reports' case, it's all about the consumer. The problem with that, is that unfortunately, people are not objective. They'll destroy a product for the stupidest little reasons, if their expectations were way too high, and accept major faults in a product they love, by finding all possible excuses. Surveys of that nature are interesting but nothing more, if anything it's more of a window into consumers' habits and particularities. Anyone who knows cars will find that most of the order on that list is ridiculous, but for some wishful thinkers, and some people in DENIAL, it makes them really happy. So to them I say, whatever does it for you!!! But the truth is UN-deniable, whether you know it or not. If all these "reliability" people became multi-millionaires tomorrow, a very high proportion of them would go out and buy known unreliable cars that look great and give awesome performance and/or unrivaled luxury. Not Lexus' or Infinitis' or Lincolns', step up to the truth boys.....

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mmeecc - 11/13/2006 4:28:38 PM

+1 Boost

By the way, great posts BEN55!!!

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mmeecc - 11/14/2006 5:04:48 PM

+1 Boost

Hi Goldsmith, nice to hear from you again. First, I find it interesting that at no point in your response did you address the fact that you would be the first in line to purchase some hot-shot un-reliable car if you had the money (because you wouldn't care anymore you hypocrite). And don't start saying that you do have tons of dough, just because we're online and we can't prove the contrary. Other interesting fact, I love the fact that you're hanging on to these two (2) so called "professional" bodies as you would call them and COMPLETELY "forget" (blatant sarcasm) ALL the other "professional" bodies who rank and review many of the top cars on CR and JD lists at the middle or bottom of the pack. But I guess only the two (2) "professional" bodies your believe in must know the God's honest truth right? Not Motor Trend, or Car and Driver, or Automobile Magazine, or those UN-Reputable publications huh? Still catching on to the sarcasm Goldsmith? Or to subtle for you. I'm not saying that all vehicles on the list don't belong where they are, but I'm saying that many of them obviously DO NOT, and it destroys all of CR's and JD's credibility. Buy the way good luck with that DENIAL, hope it's not spreading........

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mmeecc - 11/27/2006 7:21:15 PM

+1 Boost

Hey ApexAlex.... you're really in denial if you think CR is UN-biased. They're trying to sell something just as much as the next publication..... SUBSCRIPTIONS. Not to be ignored. If you trust them, before your OWN research, then you really need some comsumer help and they obviously sell their publications to people like you. If you want a consumers' opinionm, talk to consumers on your own and you'll get much more reliable information, on the exact model you want. On that note, good luck!!

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