Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Consumer Reports announces top 10 most reliable American cars

Consumer Reports recently unveiled its latest predicted reliability results, from the 2012 Annual Auto Survey, which found Japanese brands claimed the top seven spots in our rankings. However, it's not all bad for the domestic brands and within some vehicle segments there are standouts.

We're often asked how the domestics' reliability stacks up, especially with some people wanting to specifically buy American. (Of course, defining what is an "American" car can be a challenge these days.) The results show that there are some very reliable U.S.-branded models, but they also remind of potential risks with buying first-year models.

Below is a list of vehicles with the highest predicted reliability within their respective segments. (We have only listed models whose predicted reliability is average or better, and scored high enough in CR tests to be recommended.)

Small cars: Chevrolet Sonic
Fuel-efficient hatchbacks: Chevrolet Volt
Compact sports sedans: Cadillac CTS
Upscale cars: Chrysler 300 (V6)
Sporty cars: Ford Mustang (V6)
Large SUVs: Chevrolet Traverse
Midsized SUVs: Chevrolet Equinox (V6)/GMC Terrain (V6)
Luxury SUVs: Buick Enclave
Full-sized pickups: Chevrolet Avalanche

Other models, such as the Lincoln MKS luxury sedan and Jeep Patriot small SUV, have average or better reliability but did not do well in Consumer Reports' tests. Hence, they are not recommended. CR only recommends models that have performed well in tests conducted at its 327-acre Auto Test Center in Connecticut, have average or better predicted reliability based on the annual survey, and perform at least adequately in government or insurance-industry crash and rollover tests, if tested.

Our reliability data are based on responses on 1.2 million vehicles owned or leased by subscribers to Consumer Reports or ConsumerReports.org.

http://news.consumerreports.org/cars...ican-cars.html

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Meh only one blue oval :/

97-SC300

iTrader: (17)

Let's see how reliable they are in 5-7 years...

mmarshall

I got my latest CR paper-issue yesterday. It shows overall brand-reliability. Ford, overall, company-wide, was near the top in reliability just two years ago (and was clearly the best domestic brand), but is now the second-worst to Jaguar....just one up from the bottom. It took an enormous fall in the last two years with several of its latest products, though what the effects of the all-new 2013 Escape, Fusion, and C-Max will be next year is unclear.....those vehicles, of course, have no reliability records yet.

Audi, BTW, is the most-improved brand for reliability, rising some 18 levels in just the last year alone. It is now the most reliable Euro-brand sold in America.

An interesting surprise is the new Fiat 500, which is average in reliability......compared to the disaster-Fiats sold here decades ago.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

oh puleez, surveys are still being done on 'american' cars vs. 'import' or whatever? cars have parts from everywhere. a honda accord may be more american than some of these models.

darkdream

Well its compared to other American cars, so its relative.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

maybe that thinking applies to a 97 car, but not one built in the past 10 years. my 6 year old ford explorer for example, has been rock solid and inexpensive to own

sam12345

iTrader: (1)

Ford dropped so much because of its Sync system. That's the issue, reliability is not weighed for seriousness.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

my 2003 Ford Explorer is still going strong, never had any issues. 100K on the clock

mmarshall

I agree, but they are probably referring to American-sourced nameplates. That would generally include domestic Ford/GM/Chrysler brands.

Haitwun

My pony made it on the list.

mmarshall

The Explorer reliability problems (except, of course, for the old Firestone Wilderness tire-fiasco), are mostly with the new ones (2011/2012), not the ones of your vintage.

RocketGuy3

iTrader: (1)

That's some domination by GM.

FrankReynoldsCPA

Our 1992 F-350 is in better shape now than our 1999 Toyota Sienna Starts at the turn of a key and not a hint of smoke. Runs like the day we bought it. OTOH, the Sienna is almost to the point where it changes its own oil.

As far as electrical/cosmetic issues, the Ford is in better overall shape than the Toyota, save some paint fade on the hood from 20 years of being out in the sun, where the van gets parked in the shade.

My buddy's 2002 F250 Powerstroke is also in near immaculate condition, with 350,000 miles on the clock. Original automatic transmission. I think it had a bad water pump last year, but that's it. The bed is bashed up a bit, but it's used in a stone quarry.