Lexus has retained its number one ranking in automotive reliability, claiming top spot in the J.D. Power and Associates 2013 US Vehicle Dependability Study.
In its second consecutive year of dominating the rankings, Lexus was the clear leader in the survey, which ranks brands according to the number of problems experienced by owners of three-year-old vehicles (2010 model year) over the past 12 months, expressed as problems per 100 vehicles (PP100).
Lexus, Toyota’s luxury division, achieved a rating of 71 PP100, down from 86 PP100 in 2012. The result saw it stretch its dependability ranking lead over second-placed Porsche, which improved from 98 PP100 last year to 94 PP100 in 2013.
Lincoln and Toyota shared third place with a 112 PP100 rating, while Mercedes-Benz rounded out the top five at 115 PP100. Lincoln’s rating improved marginally year to year while Toyota and Mercedes both went backwards compared with 2012.
Now in its 24th year, the study found vehicle dependability is at an all-time high, with the industry average improving five per cent this year to 126 PP100.
Ram, Suzuki, Mazda and Chevrolet all pulled themselves up above the black line this year, while Ford, Hyundai and Scion all dipped below after exceeding the industry average in 2012.
Luxury British marque Land Rover replaced Chrysler at the bottom of the table rankings chart with 220 PP100, while Dodge, Jeep, Ram and Jaguar also disappointed in the bottom five.
Toyota Motor Corporation enjoyed success in seven different segments, while General Motors picked up four awards.
The 2013 Vehicle Dependability Study is based on the responses of more than 37,000 original owners of 2010 model year vehicles, conducted between October and December 2012.
