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The Top 5 Most Dependable Automobile Brands for 2012
| Car Brand | Dependability Score (PP100) |
Change in PP100 (from 2011) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexus | 85 (problems per 100 vehicles) |
22.01% less problems |
| 2 | Porsche | 98 (problems per 100 vehicles) |
14.03% less problems |
| 3 | Cadillac | 104 (problems per 100 vehicles) |
20.00% less problems |
| 4 | Toyota | 104 (problems per 100 vehicles) |
14.75% less problems |
| 5 | Scion | 111 (problems per 100 vehicles) |
33.13% less problems |
Special Report
- In 2012, overall vehicle dependability averaged 132 PP100 (problems per 100 vehicles), an improvement of 13 percent from the 2011 average of 151, which is the lowest problem rate since the inception of the study in 1990. The strong dependability of these models reflects their high levels of initial quality when measured against three years ago. (a.)
- 25 of 32 brands have improved in dependability from 2011, while only six have declined and one has remained stable. Domestic brands have improved in 2012 at a slightly faster rate than imports, narrowing the dependability gap to 13 PP100 from 18 PP100 in 2011. (a.)
- According to the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Vehicle Dependability Study, several brands have performed very well in dependability during the past several years but still face challenges with customer perceptions of their reliability. In particular, during the past four years, models from Buick, Cadillac, Ford, Hyundai and Lincoln have achieved consistently strong levels of dependability, but still have relatively high proportions of new-vehicle buyers expressing reliability concerns.
- Lexus ranks highest in vehicle dependability among all brands in 2012. In addition, the Lexus LS has the fewest problems in the industry, with just 72 PP100. Rounding out the five highest-ranking nameplates are Porsche, Cadillac, Toyota and Scion, respectively. MINI and Scion post the greatest year-over-year improvements from 2011 by 60 PP100 and 55 PP100, respectively.
- Toyota Motor Corporation continues to perform well in long-term dependability and garners eight segment awards (more than any other automaker in 2012) for the Lexus ES 350 (in a tie with the Lincoln MKZ); Lexus RX 350; Scion tC; Scion xB; Toyota Prius; Toyota Sienna; Toyota Tundra; and Toyota Yaris. Ford Motor Company receives three model awards for the Ford Explorer (in a tie with the Nissan Murano); Ford Fusion; and Lincoln MKZ (in a tie). General Motors (Buick Lucerne and Chevrolet Equinox) and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (Nissan Frontier and Nissan Murano, in a tie with the Ford Explorer) each receive two awards. In addition, the Hyundai Genesis also receives an award. Although there are no awards in their respective segments due to an insufficient number of award-eligible models, or insufficient market share of award-eligible models in the segment, these models also perform particularly well: Ford Mustang, GMC Yukon and Porsche 911.
- J.D. Power and Associates 2012 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. (Published: 02/14/2012). Retrieved March 1st, 2012.
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Top 5 Most, Motor Vehicles, Brands & Consumer Products
Sources: J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Vehicle Dependability Study.
List Notes: PP100 is problems per 100 vehicles. List is vehicle brands sold in the United States. Change in problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) is from the year 2011. The J.D. Power and Associates 2012 vehicle Dependability Study measures problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of three-year-old (2009 model-year) vehicles. Overall dependability is determined by the level of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality. The 2012 Vehicle Dependability Study is based on responses from more than 31,000 original owners of 2009 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership. The study was fielded between October and December 2011.
Sources: J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Vehicle Dependability Study.
List Notes: PP100 is problems per 100 vehicles. List is vehicle brands sold in the United States. Change in problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) is from the year 2011. The J.D. Power and Associates 2012 vehicle Dependability Study measures problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of three-year-old (2009 model-year) vehicles. Overall dependability is determined by the level of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality. The 2012 Vehicle Dependability Study is based on responses from more than 31,000 original owners of 2009 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership. The study was fielded between October and December 2011.
