2009 Annual Auto Reliability Survey: 10 best and worst models

Just because a model is reliable doesn’t mean it is recommended by Consumer Reports. Four out of the top 10 most reliable vehicles don’t perform well enough in our tests for us to recommend them. The opposite happens as well—some vehicles that score well in our testing are not recommended because they have below average reliability. Seven out of the 10 least reliable vehicles have high enough test scores to be recommended, but their poor reliability prevents them from reaching that recommended status. So, it’s important to look at both performance in our tests as well as reliability because a high scoring car isn’t always a smart purchase choice if it isn’t reliable.

Our 2009 Annual Auto Survey reveals the best and worst vehicles in reliability based on our subscribers’ experiences with 1.4 million vehicles over the past 10 years (2000-2009). Our data helps determine which used cars to choose as well as to forecast how the 2010 models will hold up.

The vehicles listed below are the top 10 most and least reliable new cars in our reliability survey. Models with an asterisk (*) are based on data of one model year only. Click on the vehicles below to visit the model overview pages to see how they performed in our tests and also view a more-detailed look at reliability broken down by 17 potential trouble spots. (Model overview pages are available to online subscribers.)

Most reliable vehicles, listed in order of Ratings score starting with the best score.

1. Honda Insight*
2. Lexus SC*
3. Toyota Venza (4-cyl.)*
4. Mercedes-Benz GLK*
5. Toyota Yaris Hatchback
6. Toyota FJ Cruiser
7. Honda Fit*
8. Toyota Prius
9. Scion xD
10. Toyota 4Runner (V6)

Least reliable vehicles, listed in order of Ratings score starting with the worst score.

1. Volkswagen Touareg*
2. Jaguar XF*
3. Chevrolet Colorado (4WD)
4. GMC Canyon (4WD)
5. Ford F-250 (turbodiesel, 4WD)*
6. BMW 535i (AWD)*
7. Chrysler Town & Country
8. Dodge Grand Caravan
9. Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (turbodiesel)*
10. Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (V8)

For more details on our 2009 Annual Auto Survey including the full list of most and least reliable new cars by vehicle type, see our reliability report. Also, check out our guide to car reliability for more details on new and used car reliability, as well as owner satisfaction.

—Liza Barth 

2009 Annual Auto Reliability Survey: Domestics vs. the imports

Asian vehicles continue to lead in car reliability, but a number of domestic and European automakers are showing improvements. Of the 48 models with top reliability scores, 36 are Asian—Toyota accounts for 18; Honda, eight; Nissan, four; and Hyundai/Kia and Subaru, three each. The rest come from Ford with eight; Mercedes-Benz, one; Volkswagen, two; and Volvo, one.

European brands continue to improve in reliability with a significant rebound from Mercedes-Benz and improvements from Volkswagen and Audi. Most Volvo and Porsche models have also done well in our survey.

Ford leads the domestics with about 90 percent of models scoring average or better in our survey. Overall 20 of the 48 GM models have average reliability, but only the Chevrolet Malibu V6 has above average reliability in our survey. Last year, we couldn’t recommend any Chrysler product due to low test scores and poor reliability, but this year the 4WD Dodge Ram did well in our tests and has average reliability. However, more than one-third of Chrysler products are much worse than average in reliability.

The graphs below show the percentage of models that rate above average, average, and below average for Asian, European, and American brands.

 

For more details on our 2009 Annual Auto Survey including the full list of most and least reliable new cars by vehicle type, see our reliability report. Also, check out our guide to car reliability for more details on new and used car reliability as well as owner satisfaction.

—Liza Barth 

2009 Annual Auto Reliability Survey: Best and worst models by car maker

It is easy to assume that certain automakers build only reliable cars and others don’t, however, nearly every manufacturer have their share of winners and losers in our annual reliability survey. Each company and even brand product portfolio runs a spectrum of reliability performance, with its own best and worst examples. For some, the range can span from much better than average to much worse than average, whereas other may be centered around average. The key lesson from scanning the data within an automaker is not to make assumptions.

For example, the best Toyota Motor Company model in our reliability survey is the Lexus SC—its predicted reliability score is the second highest out of over 300 vehicles, but the worst is the Lexus GS (AWD), which scores in the bottom 10 percent, and receives a much worse than average rating, and is not recommended in our testing. While it is true that Lexus models tend to be reliable and test well, this is not the case for all Lexus vehicles.

The greatest disparity comes from Volkswagen. The VW Golf (aka Rabbit) is one of the most reliable small cars you can buy, but the Volkswagen Touareg has the lowest predicted reliability score in our 2009 Annual Auto Survey.

In most cases, the best model for reliability is a recommended model and the worst is not. However, Honda’s top reliable vehicle in our survey, the Honda Insight, is not recommended due to low scores in our testing. The least reliable Honda vehicle is the Acura RL, but it has an average reliability score and is recommended. Honda is one of the more consistent manufacturers and has no model that scored below average in reliability.

The two more reliable General Motors products are from two brands that are leaving the GM umbrella. The Saturn Aura (4-cyl.) is newly recommended this year and the Pontiac Vibe will be phased out in the coming months.

Below are the best and worst models in reliability. Models with an * are based on data of one model year only.

BMW
Best: BMW 328i (RWD)
Worst: BMW 535i (AWD)*

Chrysler
Best: Jeep Patriot
Worst: Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan

Ford
Best: Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan (4-cyl.)
Worst: Ford F-250 (turbodiesel, 4WD)*

General Motors
Best: Chevrolet Malibu (V6)
Worst: Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon (4WD)

Honda
Best: Honda Insight*
Worst: Acura RL

Hyundai/Kia
Best: Hyundai Tucson
Worst: Kia Sedona

Mazda
Best: Mazda3 sedan
Worst: Mazda CX-7

Mercedes-Benz
Best: Mercedes-Benz GLK*
Worst: Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (turbodiesel)*

Nissan
Best: Infiniti M35 (RWD)
Worst: Nissan Versa sedan*

Subaru
Best: Subaru Impreza Outback Sport
Worst: Subaru Impreza WRX*

Toyota
Best: Lexus SC*
Worst: Lexus GS (AWD)

Volkswagen
Best: Volkswagen Golf (Rabbit)
Worst: Volkswagen Touareg*

Volvo
Best: Volvo S40 (FWD)*
Worst: Volvo XC90 (V8)*

The main take away from this information is don’t judge a book by its cover. Avoid assumptions and do your research before you buy your next vehicle. It takes just a few minutes to browse the model overview pages, or use the interactive new car selector tool, which sorts and filters by the parameters that matter most to you.

Either path will reveal Consumer Reports recommended models that did well in our road tests, score average or better in reliability, and performs at least adequately if included in government or insurance industry safety tests.

For more details on our 2009 Annual Auto Survey including the full list of most and least reliable new cars by vehicle type, see our reliability report. Also, check out our guide to car reliability for more details on new and used car reliability as well as owner satisfaction.

—Liza Barth 

Consumer Reports 2009 Car Reliability chat

Today, Consumer Reports released the findings from the 2009 annual car reliability survey. As in past years, there are significant revelations to be found in the 2009 data, with some brands and models rising, while others are falling, in predicted reliability.
 
The data will be updated throughout the Cars section of ConsumerReports.org, including on the new car selector and on the model overview pages, available to online subscribers. Further information can be found in our Guide to Reliability and Owner Satisfaction hub, including a detailed Reliability FAQ.

Below is an archived, interactive chat with our automotive experts to discuss the findings.

The live video chat via the Consumer Reports Facebook page has been canceled.

New tire tests and Ratings

Michelin tires top four categories in our latest Ratings of 69 models of all-season (S and T speed ratings), performance all-season (H and V speed ratings) and Winter tires--the largest group ever tested by Consumer Reports.

The Michelin HydroEdge was the top scoring model among S- and T-rated all-season tires, and the Michelin Primacy MXV4 and Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S took top honors among H- and V-rated all-seasons, respectively. The Michelin X-Ice XI 2 topped CR's ratings for winter tires for passenger cars.

CR's tire engineers rated models based on a variety of categories including dry and wet braking, handling, hydroplaning resistance, snow traction, ice braking, ride comfort, noise, rolling resistance, and tread life. Despite top scores, the Michelin models aren't necessarily the best in every area and they are also among the most expensive tires CR tested, but drivers don't have to pay top dollar to get good performance.

Other high scoring all season tires include the Hankook Optimo H727, Nokian WR G2, Dunlop Signature in the all season and H and V speed rated all season categories, respectively. In the winter category, the General Altimax Arctic was a runner-up to the Michelin X-Ice XI 2.

Consumer Reports' testers put tires through a number of objective and subjective tests. Testers measure braking and lateral grip on dry and wet surfaces, handling in CR's emergency avoidance maneuver, and hydroplaning resistance, which measures how well a tire maintains contact with the road in standing water. CR rents a local skating rink to test braking on ice and has outside labs evaluate tread life and rolling resistance. To ensure consistency, testers buy each tire model in the same size and mount them on the same test cars.

CR's latest tire ratings have changed from previous tests. Starting with these tests, CR's ratings are now designed so that readers can compare the individual performance of one type of tire with another. For example, you can compare the ratings of all-season and winter tires to see how much dry and wet grip you give up with winter tires in return for better snow and ice traction. The overall score, however, is still relative to each tire category. Because tread life can influence driving safety, a tread-life rating is included in each tire's overall score.

Investing in better tires can give you a wider margin of safety when driving. A little extra grip, for example, can mean the difference between an accident and a close call. There are a lot of tire choices, and you can't tell by looking at them which ones will perform better. When you buy replacement tires, CR recommends sticking with the same size and speed rating of your car's original tires. You can find the specifications listed on a placard usually located inside the driver's doorjamb.

To see full details on the tire models we tested, check out our Ratings and recommendations (available to subscribers). In addition to our updated Ratings, all site visitors can access our free buying advice for tips on getting started, types of tires we test, features that are important in making a tire purchase, and general tire care. Also, be sure to check out our TireTalk forum to interact with our tire engineers and other drivers.

Ford Fusion – The best car you don’t know about

For some odd reason, when people are chatting about new cars, they rarely mention the Ford Fusion. For a really good car that’s been around for a while, the Fusion seems to get less name recognition than Archibald Leach, better known as Cary Grant. That’s a shame. The Fusion is not only one of the very best cars produced by Detroit, but it is one of the best midsized sedans made by any company. (Ford Fusion model overview with ratings, available to online subscribers.)

What makes it good?

For starters, it’s fun to drive, with a good ride and crisp, responsive handling. It’s also the right size, compact enough to be maneuverable yet large enough to seat five people with ease. Then there’s the wide choice of configurations. Besides the usual front-drive configuration, the Fusion also offers an all-wheel-drive model and a full-hybrid version. Sadly, perhaps, not both at the same time.

Two more pluses: Not only does the Fusion have excellent crash-test results but it’s also one of the more reliable cars in our annual auto survey. It is more reliable than the ubiquitous Toyota Camry, an honor it’s held since the Camry’s 2007 redesign.

What we’re testing now: We just bought three front-wheel drive Fusions, which have been updated for the 2010 model year. Both our 175-hp, four-cylinder SE and 240-hp, 3.0-liter V6 versions have a six-speed automatic. The third example is a Hybrid model, which has a four-cylinder engine aided by an electric powertrain that brings net horsepower to 191. Standard safety gear on all includes antilock brakes, stability control, and six air bags.

What price?

Sticker prices ranged from about $22,150 for the basic four-cylinder to $32,400 for our loaded Hybrid, including options and shipping. The V6 SEL stickered at $28,400.

Without any arm-twisting, we paid about $26,000 and change for our just–arrived V6 SEL. That included customer incentives Ford is offering right now and struck us as pretty reasonable considering what was included. Among the goodies was full leather upholstery, heated eight-way power seats, a power moonroof, a good Sony audio system with Sirius satellite radio, the Sync Bluetooth voice-activated audio and communications system, blind-spot and crossing-traffic alert system, rear-view camera, and 17-inch aluminum wheels.

Can’t say but…
It’s too early to make any judgments about driving dynamics or how well all the bits and pieces work together. Given our past experience with several Fusions we’ve already tested, and a few new ones we’ve briefly sampled, we expect the 2010 models to be at least as good as the cars they replaced, all of which we liked. The enduring mystery is why more people don’t already know about this car. 

–Gordon Hard  Photography by Mike Leung.

Consumer Reports automaker report cards

For the third consecutive year, Honda has earned class leader status for building the best all-around vehicles for American drivers, according to the Automaker Report Cards published in Consumer Reports’ Annual Auto Issue. At the opposite end of the annual ranking is Chrysler, which fared
even worse than last year. The company’s poor performing products and sinking reliability results have kept all Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep badged vehicles off CR’s Recommended list.

With an overall score of 78 out of 100 points, Honda was followed closely by Subaru (75), and Toyota (74) in the overall score. Subaru is also the only automaker with 100% of its tested vehicles Recommended, although it has a relatively small model lineup. Mazda (73), came in 4th, followed by Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Volkswagen, and BMW, all tied at 72.

While the top four overall scores belong to Japanese automakers, a Japanese nameplate is no guarantee that every car in a model range will be a reliable and good performer. For example, the Honda Element and Toyota Yaris scored too low in Consumer Reports’ tests to be recommended. Conversely, despite overall scores of 63 and 57 respectively, that placed Ford and GM toward the bottom of the results, new models like the Ford Flex, F-150, Chevrolet Malibu, and Cadillac CTS have done well in CR’s tests and rank near the top of their classes in its ratings.

Full details and rankings are available in the article “Who makes the best cars?”

Visit the annual auto issue special section for quick access to the latest Ratings, articles, and videos.

How to choose the best windshield wipers

When readying your car for winter weather, don’t neglect the windshield wipers. Your wipers ensure a clear view of the road in all kinds of weather, so take good care of them. In particular, don’t use your wipers to clear ice and snow from your windshield: that’s what scrapers are for. And if you park outside and snow is predicted, put your wipers in the “raised position” so they don’t freeze to the windshield.

Consumer Reports recently completed an exhaustive test of 15 models of windshield wipers on 185 staffers’ cars. The tested windshield wipers included six beam-blade models, a relatively new design. Unlike conventional wipers, beam blades have no external frames. As a result, they are promoted as providing more uniform pressure on today’s curved windshields and therefore better wiping performance. All wipers were evaluated in the real world, as well as in a special lab that could simulate varying rain conditions. In addition to performance, we also evaluated the wipers on ease of installation and removal.

The good news is that three of the top four wipers were also the least expensive. The not-so-good-news: wipers are only good for about six months or so. When brand-new, every wiper tested earned “Very Good” or “Excellent” marks. But after six to nine months of regular use, performance quickly declined.
Replace your wipers every six to twelve months for best performance—don’t wait until the rubber is cracked and you’re seeing streaks on your windshield. If you do it yourself, consult your owner’s manual for guidance. While you’re at it, this is a good time to make sure the windshield washer fluid is topped off, too.

Watch our windshield wiper video, then read our full windshield wiper buying advice and Ratings (available to online subscribers).

Best used car deals - December

If you’re in the market for an affordable and reliable used car, we have recommendations and Ratings to help you make an informed decision. This month, we’ve begun highlighting the best used car deals to help narrow your focus to standout models. Our winning line-up features Consumer Reports Good Bets: vehicles that have performed well in CR’s road tests and have been consistently better than average in overall reliability. And we’ve got everything from convertibles to SUVs, so take a look at the current Best Used Car Deals. 

Our highlighted model this month is a 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid, available for just under $11,000. It averaged 36 mpg in CR tests and has outstanding reliability. While this car was in high demand over the summer, it may be more readily available now.

If you’re ready to buy, get the most for your money using Consumer Reports Used Car Price report, revealing detailed reliability information, selling and trade-in prices, and useful buying tools.  And read our used-car buying advice to see it through to a smart purchase.

See all current used car deals.

 

—Desiree Calamari

Best new car deals - American style

The Detroit 3 automakers find themselves in desperate straits. And while the pleas of their CEOs for emergency federal aid—and their travel modes—have made headlines, a spate of dramatic sales incentives designed to stimulate devastatingly sluggish automotive sales have gone largely unnoticed. Potential new vehicle buyers who are actively shopping in anticipation of a purchase within the next few weeks can choose from several heavily "incentivized" Consumer Reports-recommended GM and Ford vehicles (including related Saab and Volvo models) to meet their needs; there are no CR-recommended Chrysler-made cars.

For example, combined dealer and customer incentives of $6,750, plus dealer holdback, bring the Consumer Reports Bottom Line Price (the effective price the dealer pays GM for the vehicle) for the 2008 Buick Lucerne CXS to $27,132. That’s a whopping 28% off the sticker price (MSRP plus destination charges) of $37,795! Once you allow for a reasonable dealer profit of, say, three percent, the vehicle price climbs to only $27,946: a savings well over $10,000 versus sticker.

If a pickup truck better suits your needs, you can find savings of nearly 18% off sticker on a 2008 Ford F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCrew.  Significant savings can also be found on other CR-recommended pickups such as the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the GMC Sierra 1500.

Here’s a complete look at the current domestic best deals in cars, trucks, and SUVs.

Brand name	Model name	Version name	Expires	MSRP	Invoice price	Customer rebate	Dealer incentive	Bottom Line Price	Potential savings below MSRP
Buick	Lucerne	5XL CXL	1/5/2009	$35,770	$33,803	Yes	Yes	Bottom Line Price	20%+
Buick	Lucerne	CXS	1/5/2009	$37,030	$34,993	Yes	Yes	Bottom Line Price	25%+
Cadillac	DTS	Standard	1/5/2009	$45,400	$42,449	Yes	Yes	Bottom Line Price	15%+
Cadillac	DTS	V8	1/5/2009	$43,175	$40,369	Yes	Yes	Bottom Line Price	25%+
Chevrolet	Avalanche	4WD Avalanche LT1	1/5/2009	$38,880	$35,575	Yes	No	Bottom Line Price	15%+
Chevrolet	Avalanche	4WD Avalanche w/1LT	1/5/2009	$37,355	$34,180	Yes	No	Bottom Line Price	25%+
Chevrolet	Malibu	1LT	1/5/2009	$21,185	$20,020	Yes	Yes	Bottom Line Price	25%+
Chevrolet	Malibu	1LT	1/5/2009	$22,505	$21,267	Yes	Yes	Bottom Line Price	20%+
Chevrolet	Malibu	LTZ	1/5/2009	$27,095	$25,605	Yes	Yes	Bottom Line Price	25%+
Chevrolet	Malibu	LTZ	1/5/2009	$26,880	$25,402	Yes	Yes	Bottom Line Price	20%+
Chevrolet	Silverado 1500	1LT 4x4 Crew Cab	1/5/2009	$32,720	$29,939	Yes	Yes	Bottom Line Price	25%+
Chevrolet	Silverado 1500	1LT 4x4 Crew Cab	1/5/2009	$33,495	$30,648	Yes	No	Bottom Line Price	20%+
Ford	F-150	XLT 4x4 SuperCrew 150-in	1/5/2009	$33,700	$30,446	No	Yes	Bottom Line Price	15%+
Ford	Mustang	GT Deluxe	1/5/2009	$26,240	$24,186	Yes	No	Bottom Line Price	20%+
Ford	Mustang	GT Deluxe	1/5/2009	$31,065	$28,529	Yes	No	Bottom Line Price	15%+
GMC	Sierra 1500	4WD Crew Cab SLT SWB	1/5/2009	$40,575	37,126	Yes	Yes	Bottom Line Price	25%+
GMC	Sierra 1500	4WD Crew Cab SLT SWB	1/5/2009	$41,055	$37,565	Yes	No	Bottom Line Price	15%+
Lincoln	Navigator	4x4 L	1/5/2009	$54,645	$50,291	No	Yes	Bottom Line Price	10%+
Saab	9-3	2.0 T Sport Sedan	1/5/2009	$28,445	$27,108	No	Yes	Bottom Line Price	5%+
Saab	9-3	2.0T Sport Sedan	1/5/2009	$30,360	$28,933	No	Yes	Bottom Line Price	5%+
Saab	9-5	2.3T	1/5/2009	$37,685	$35,612	No	Yes	Bottom Line Price	10%+
Saab	9-5	2.3T	1/5/2009	$38,380	$36,269	No	Yes	Bottom Line Price	10%+
Saturn	Aura	3.6 XR	1/5/2009	$25,675	$24,006	No	Yes	Bottom Line Price	15%+
Saturn	Aura	3.6 XR	1/5/2009	$26,925	$25,175	No	Yes	Bottom Line Price	15%+
Volvo	C30	T5 Version 1.0	1/2/2009	$22,950	$21,573	No	Yes	Bottom Line Price	15%+
Volvo	C70	T5 M	1/2/2009	$39,240	$36,886	No	Yes	Bottom Line Price	10%+
Volvo	C70	T5 M	1/2/2009	$39,800	$37,412	No	Yes	Bottom Line Price	10%+
Volvo	S80	3.2 FWD A	1/2/2009	$38,705	$36,383	No	Yes	Bottom Line Price	15%+
Volvo	S80	3.2 FWD A	1/2/2009	$39,600	$37,224	No	Yes	Bottom Line Price	15%+
Volvo	XC90	V8 AWD A	1/2/2009	$48,505	$45,100	No	Yes	Bottom Line Price	15%+

For advice on buying a new car, from vehicle selection to financing, read our car buying guide. Detailed pricing information is available in the Consumer Reports Auto Price Reports.