Lexus Loses Reliability Crown: Jaguar & Buick Share Top Spot
For the first time in 15 years Lexus is not the most dependable brand according to J.D. Power & Associates. The torch has instead been passed on to luxury competitor Jaguar as well as to GM’s Buick brand.
Both Buick and Jaguar came from well behind in the pack to eclipse Lexus in the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study, which ranks reported problems of 3-year old models.
Buick, which ranked 6th last year, and Jaguar, which placed a distant 10th in 2008, are tied for the top spot this year.
Lexus continues to hold on to the second spot, with Toyota and Mercury following closely.
David Sargent, J.D. Power’s VP of auto research told Automotive News that, “Part of GM’s historical challenge has been that the customer’s perception of GM’s vehicles has been not in line with reliability. Maybe 10 or 15 years ago their vehicles weren’t as reliable as some of the imports, but I think today they’ve virtually caught up.”
In fact, two years ago Buick actually tied Lexus for the top spot.
The J.D. Power research shows that owners of Buick and Jaguar models reported an average of 122 problems per 100 vehicles, compared to 126 problems per 100 vehicle for Lexus owners.
Lexus can, however, still lay claim to the most reliable vehicle, the LS430, with the fewest problems reported – just 61 for every 100 vehicles.
J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study is even more important this year as with the current recession owners are opting to hold on to vehicles rather than purchase new ones. According to J.D. Power, owners of new vehicles are holding on to their cars for an average of 73 months, up from 66 months in 2006.
WORST PICKS
As for the worst brands in the industry, GM may have the nefarious distinction of having six of its brands below average 170 problems per 100 vehicles, but none of those are the worst offenders. The least reliable brands are Mazda, Isuzu, Land Rover and Volkswagen with Suzuki in last position.
[Source: AutoNews]
With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.
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From what I have read on this Powers reliability report, its about worthless. What must be known is the value of each so-called defect. A $1.98 cupholder breaks....one "defect". A $1,980 ECU malfunctions leaving the car owner stranded...one "defect".. A $19.80 device breaks(no big deal), but still...one defect. Come on now... this is no way to judge a motor vehicle. Yes, I am exaggerating for point of emphasis.... I'd love to see the full, complete JD Powers report and the survey that John Q Public fills out....
Why does not G.M. advertise the fact that Buick has captured the top spot in reliability? I would think that this is something to gain sales advantage. I would think that the news media would say something, after all, we all own G.M. If it goes belly up, were all out about 100 billion.