Chrysler on Top of Big 3, Hyundai Ties with Honda but Toyota Best of All
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| Chrysler Group vehicles rate higher than General Motors and Ford in Consumer Reports Magazine's 2002 Reliability Survey. While the 2004 Chrysler Pacifica (shown) isn't included in CR's study, its sizable improvement in perceived quality most likely reflects total quality overall, which should help the automaker to continue its upward trend. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Consumer Reports Magazine's annual Reliability Survey shows that the domestic automakers are getting better. The study finds that the Big 3's vehicles first year reliability now averages the same as their European counterparts. To be specific both American and European brands averaged 21 problems per 100 vehicles in 2002, reduced from 24 and 23 problems per 100 vehicles last year respectively.
Despite the marked improvement the Europeans and domestics still lag behind the Japanese, however, that on a whole have steadily kept improving to maintain their leading positions. Asian brands experienced only 12 problems per vehicle, 9 less problems per 100 vehicles than either American or European vehicles.
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| Hyundai has matched Honda while Toyota is still on top with only 10 problems per 100 vehicles. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Most interesting is Hyundai's rise on the charts. The Korean carmaker now ties Honda, which places just behind Toyota's stellar 10 problems per 100 vehicle rating. Hyundai's tremendous leap forward in reliability should cause unrest among the Japanese.
Chrysler is the best of the domestics with 20 problems per 100, while GM is second with 21. Ford, in the news a lot over the last year for recalls, lags behind with 23 problems per 100 vehicles.
Consumer Reports surveyed the owners of over half a million different vehicles spanning model years 1995 to 2002. On the whole the auto industry is getting better, with total results showing an industry average of 18 problems per 100 vehicles in 2002 compared to 21 problems per 100 in last year's survey.