Ford Consumer Reports Reliability Rankings Fall, Toyota Still King
Tim Esterdahl | Oct 31, 2011 | Comments 3
The latest findings by Consumer Reports indicate that Ford, and other domestic brands, has slipped in the reliability rankings while Toyota remains on top of the ratings.
Toyota remains king while Ford drops in the reliability ratings.
Ford’s drop was from 10th to 20th and is mostly blamed on the redesign of a few old models, as well as problems with their new electronic systems. This is bad news for Ford, as the automaker has taken years to build up a good reputation for reliability in last year’s Consumer Reports rankings. But, as pointed out by David Champion Sr., director of Consumer Reports‘ Automotive Test Center in East Haddam, Conn., it only takes a few problems to lose that reputation.
GM also took a fairly steep fall in the rankings, particularly its Buick and Cadillac brands, which both dropped six spots. Chrysler moved up slightly, with its Jeep brand performing better than previous years. The Dodge brand made a jump of a few spots to 21st. Overall, the quote “Big Three” took a general drop in the rankings.
On the other hand, quote “import” brands continued to dominate, occupying the first 9 spots in the rankings. Toyota topped the rankings this year, and other Japanese brands filled out the rest of the slots. In spite of some recent improvements, domestic vehicles continue to have nagging reliability issues. The proof? 64% of the Ford/GM/Chrysler-Fiat vehicles were rated average or better, versus 96% of Toyota/Honda/Subaru vehicles rated average or better.
Toyota’s reliability continues to be the measuring stick for both imports and domestics. Both vehicles sold under the Toyota name and their luxury division, Lexus, have continued to remain on top of the rankings.
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Filed Under: Auto News
Consumer reports always, and I mean always, gives too high regards to toyota and honda over the big 3. Always have and always will vs. other magazines or reviewers. I think some of it has to do with toyota and honda giving money to consumer reports in some form or the other if you ask me. Granted, honda and toyota are probably better than the rest of the mfgs., but not that much of a margin as people think.
mk give Toyota high marks? It was Consumer Reports that took back it’s recommendations back in 07 for the recall and turned around and did the same for GM. They gave Toyota high marks without testing the truck. Then with the recall recanted. Turned around and gave Chevy the high marks without testing their trucks. Although I don’t care for Consumer Reports on vehicles anyway.
That is just it Mickey, they gave toyota tundra high marks in 2007 just because it is a Toyota brand without fully testing it. No matter what toyota and honda comes out with, consumer reports gives them praise.