Toyota is slipping, Consumer Reports says

By MSN Money staff

Consumer Reports magazine reported today that the quality of cars made by Toyota, long the benchmark for reliability among automotive brands, had slipped so much that the organization no longer will automatically recommend them.

Releasing the results of its 2007 annual Car Reliability Survey today in Detroit, the magazine said two high-profile models, the top-selling Camry V-6 and the four-wheel-drive Tundra pickup, both redesigned this year, scored below average. Consumer Reports won't recommend any model scoring below average to its readers.

Typically, Consumer Reports will recommend a vehicle only if it has at least one year of reliability data. New and redesigned Toyota models had been exempted from that standard because of the company's record. The magazine said today it no longer will recommend any new or redesigned Toyota-built models without reliability data on a specific design.

• Talk back: Do you still think Toyota is No. 1?

Now, only Honda and Subaru have that distinction. Despite its emerging problems, Toyota, which also makes Lexus and Scion brand cars, still ranks third in reliability among all automakers, behind Honda, which also makes Acuras, and Subaru. The top-ranked domestic brand is General Motors' Buick.

Ford scores big

For Ford, the news was positive. The magazine said 93% of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models scored average or better, allowing a "Recommended" designation.

"Ford continues to improve," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center. "The reliability of their cars has steadily improved over the years and is showing consistency." He added, "We believe Toyota is aware of its issues and is trying to fix problems quickly."

Forty-one of 44 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models scored average or better in predicted reliability. The Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan are among the most reliable cars. They and the two-wheel-drive Ford F-150 V6 pickup make up three of the only four domestic models on Consumer Reports' "Most Reliable" list. In addition, the magazine scored new-for-2007 SUVs such as the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX, as well as the freshened Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator, average or above.

Despite Ford's improvement, U.S. brands account for almost half the models -- 20 of 44 -- on the magazine's list of "Least Reliable" models. Thirteen are from General Motors, six are from Chrysler and one is from Ford. European makes account for 17 models, including six each from Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen/Audi. Not all models carrying Asian nameplates are reliable, either. The Hyundai Entourage; Infiniti QX56; Mazda CX-7; Nissan Armada (4WD), Quest and Titan (4WD); and Toyota Tundra (V8, 4WD) are all on the "Least Reliable" list.

Findings are based on responses on almost 1.3 million vehicles owned or leased by subscribers to Consumer Reports or its Web site. The survey covered model years 1998 to 2007.

How makes compare

Rank	Make	% above avg.	Rank	Make	% above avg.
1	Honda	48	19	Volvo	2
2	Acura	44	20	Chrysler	1
3	Scion	43	21	Nissan	1
4	Subaru	38	22	Audi	-9
5	Toyota	38	23	Kia	-9
6	Lexus	34	24	Saturn	-13
7	Infiniti	31	25	Saab	-14
8	Mitsubishi	31	26	Dodge	-21
9	Porsche	30	27	Suzuki	-22
10	Buick	20	28	GMC	-24
11	Mercury	18	29	Jeep	-26
12	Mini	17	30	Chevrolet	-32
13	Ford	16	31	Volkswagen	-40
14	Lincoln	14	32	Pontiac	-42
15	Hyundai	12	33	Mercedes-Benz	-57
16	Jaguar	10	34	Cadillac	-68
17	Mazda	8	35	Hummer	-86
18	BMW	3	36	Land Rover	-153