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The Top 5 Most Dependable Automobile Brands for 2011
| Car Brand | Dependability Score (PP100) |
|
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lincoln | 101 (problems per 100 vehicles) |
| 2 | Lexus | 109 (problems per 100 vehicles) |
| 3 | Jaguar | 112 (problems per 100 vehicles) |
| 4 | Porsche | 114 (problems per 100 vehicles) |
| 5 | Toyota | 122 (problems per 100 vehicles) |
Special Report
- In 2011, overall vehicle dependability averages 151 PP100—the lowest problem rate since the inception of the study in 1990—and improves from 170 PP 100 in 2009. Between 2009 and 2011, annual improvement for the industry has averaged 6 percent, which is slightly lower than historical rates of improvement. During the past decade, industry improvement has averaged 8 percent each year. (a.)
- The slowdown in improvement in 2011 is largely attributable to increased rates of problems with electronic features in vehicles, including audio, entertainment and navigation systems and new safety features, such as tire pressure monitoring systems. (a.)
- For the first time since the inception of the study, Lincoln leads the overall nameplate rankings in 2011. Lincoln improves by 13 PP100 from 2010. Lexus follows Lincoln in the nameplate rankings. Rounding out the top five nameplates are Jaguar, Porsche and Toyota. The Porsche 911 has the fewest problems in the industry, with just 68 PP100. (a.)
- The study finds that while domestic brands have closed the gap in initial quality with import brands, there is still a considerable difference between the two in vehicle dependability, with import brands outperforming domestic brands by 18 PP100 in 2011. (a.)
- In addition to affecting brand image and brand loyalty, long-term dependability also has a notable effect on dealership service and customer service spending. As the number of problems experienced increases, owners are increasingly likely to use non-dealer service facilities for paid service work. In addition, as the number of problems increases, the percentage of owners who say they “definitely will†return to their dealer for service diminishes. Among owners who indicate they have experienced no problems, 76 percent indicate they “definitely will†return to the dealer for paid service. This proportion decreases to 42 percent among owners who say they experienced six or more problems. (a.)
- J.D. Power and Associates 2011 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 2011 U.S. vehicle Dependability Study
List Notes: List is vehicle brands sold in the United States. The J.D. Power and Associates 2011 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 2011 Vehicle Dependability Study is based on responses from more than 43,700 original owners of 2008 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership. The study was fielded between October and December 2010.
Sources: J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. vehicle Dependability Study
List Notes: List is vehicle brands sold in the United States. The J.D. Power and Associates 2011 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 2011 Vehicle Dependability Study is based on responses from more than 43,700 original owners of 2008 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership. The study was fielded between October and December 2010.
