Consumer Reports Annual Car Reliability Survey (updated October 2011)
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,574
Likes: 265
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
The one significant exception was my old 1984 Mazda, which was somewhat more unreliable than what CR averaged out for that year.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,204
Likes: 12
From: The Woodlands, TX
I bought a C6 for example and I'm a CR reader.
I find CR a VERY useful tool when buying something, but not the end-all source...its just another piece of information I use before buying.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,474
Likes: 2
From: Tennessee
Just because they don't always buy the cars CR recommends doesn't mean they don't buy CR recommended cars much more often than the typical non CR reader. So it doesn't mean it's a completely closed circuit polling method but it's still flawed.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 14,100
Likes: 1
From: tech capital
But reliabilty is one of the big factors in determining what CR does or doesn't recommend. To make the CR recommended list, a vehicle has to pass CR's review/driving tests, have an acceptably good Government crash-safety rating, have an established record of average or better reliability, and, in the case of SUV's and high-center-of-gravity vehicles, pass CR's own rollover tests, which are done with outriggers. Usually, with an all-new or extensively redesigned vehicle, it takes a year or so (and an adequate number of owners filling out the surveys) to start to establish a credible reliability record.....which is why newly-introduced or redesigned models are sometimes not on the Recommended List evrn though previous versions have done well and have been reliable. CR, for example, got burned a few of years ago with the all-new Camry, when they gave it a Recommended rating based in its past record of good reliability. V6 models, though, had defective automatic transmissions, and some older 3.0L V6s had oil sludge/gel problems from not changing the oil enough. CR learned from those experiences....and, now, no longer recommends vehicles based solely on past reliability. They now have to start over and prove themselves with each new model or redesign.
Then I reach my own conclusion, since I'm well qualified and experienced enough to do so. By reaching my own conclusion, often it agrees with their recommendations, sometimes it doesn't.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 14,100
Likes: 1
From: tech capital
Exactly, a very useful tool for the educated amongst us.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,204
Likes: 12
From: The Woodlands, TX
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,883
Likes: 1
From: Coral Springs, Fl
It's not that CR data is flawed, It's the fact that CR has so many reliability surveys in the automotive industry, it's difficult to keep up. When comparing survey results, it is VERY critical to understand which survey your looking at. I notice that this survey is called "predicted reliability" IMO, the CR survey we are most familiar with is "reliability history" Keep this in mind as I'm willing to bet that Lexus will sit higher in that survey.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,997
Likes: 248
From: California
I take an average of what CR says, what leading car magazines say in their longterm testing and short reviews, some general questions to real owners I know, and then how my test drives go. Between all that, I've loved every purchase I've made over the years. Education really makes a difference.
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or the statistically challenged, at least.
Pit Crew
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 111
Likes: 1
From: Florida
Consumers report
Has any one seen Consumers Annual report about Lexus reliability being number 8 behind Mitsubishi? I know I saw it someplace but I cannot remember where.
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Last edited by Gojirra99; Nov 2, 2009 at 08:52 AM. Reason: merged threads
Haven't seen it, and I don't think the issue hits news stands till 11/3...but IIRC the current-gen AWD GS has gotten some pretty terrible reliability scores and it's dragged the whole brand down as a result lately.
