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Big 3 reliability gets a lift

Consumer Reports ranks several U.S. cars ahead of Europeans, but Asians still lead

By Eric Mayne / The Detroit News

EAST HADDAM, Conn. — For the first time since Consumer Reports began tracking vehicle reliability in the 1970s, models from Detroit’s automakers rate higher than their European competitors, but they still trail Asia-based manufacturers.

Based on survey information covering 675,000 cars and trucks, the influential magazine says customers of Detroit-based automakers experienced 18 problems per 100 vehicles that are less than a year old. European automakers averaged 20 problems, while Japanese and South Korean brands experienced 12 problems.

The findings represent a dramatic reversal from previous years when Detroit automakers routinely were slammed in Consumer Reports surveys — a source of buyer information in 42 percent of all new vehicle purchases, the publication says.

“Some years ago, (Detroit) didn’t really take reliability that seriously,” said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports auto test department. “There were a lot of commercials about it and things like that, but they didn’t seem to really want to tackle the problem.”

But in the past few years, Champion added, “the domestic manufacturers have really come along strong.”

The magazine’s special autos issue goes on sale today.

Toyota Motor Corp. placed four vehicles among Consumer Reports’ top picks in 10 categories. Among 2004 models, the publication’s recommended vehicle list features 21 products from Toyota and its Lexus luxury division — the highest total Consumer Reports has ever recorded for a single automaker.

Reliability, Champion said, is a key selling feature.

“The domestic manufacturers have seen that and have really put a lot of management pressure on getting it right,” he said.

Consumer Reports’ reliability data is derived from responses to surveys asking whether motorists experienced problems in 14 key trouble areas such as brake malfunctions, peeling paint, engines and transmissions. Electrical systems proved the most problematic overall, Champion said.

The magazine’s top picks and recommendations are determined by combining survey data with results of testing performed here at a converted drag strip owned by Consumer Reports.

Ford Motor Co. has the only double winner among Consumer Reports’ latest top picks. In its annual auto issue, Consumer Reports picked the Focus as the industry’s best small sedan, and its high-performance SVT version is rated most fun to drive.

Once plagued by more than a dozen recalls after its launch as 2000 model, the Focus has rebounded to become an industry benchmark.

About the time Focus stumbled out of the gate, Ford began to revamp its product launch and manufacturing procedures. The resulting quality improvements have saved the company $1.7 billion, Ford says.

“Quality is in the details,” Ford quality vice president Louise Goeser said. “There is no silver bullet.”

But Ford “continues to suffer teething pains,” Consumer Reports says. The redesigned Lincoln Navigator was rated worst American model for 2003 with 39 problems per 100 units.

Ford vehicles that have been in production longer — Focus, Lincoln LS, Ford Escape, Ford Explorer and the Mazda Tribute — are now on the publication’s recommended list.

Including Volvo, which is wholly owned, and Mazda, of which Ford owns 33 percent, the No. 2 automaker has 15 vehicles on Consumer Reports’ recommended list.

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Stacy94PGT
My first car was a 67 Mustang Coupe, 2nd one was a 67 Cougar XR-7, 3rd one was a 66 Mustang Coupe. Why did I get rid of these cars for ? I know why, because I'm stupid, stupid, stupid.

My next Ford.....