Consumer Reports: Ford only Detroit company amongst world’s reliable automakers

2010 Ford Fusion

At an Automotive Press Association luncheon in Detroit, Consumer Reports announced that FoMoCo secured its position as the only Detroit automaker with world-class reliability. The publication said that of 51 Ford, Mercury and Lincoln vehicles tested, 46 had average or better reliability.

Consumer Reports said that other than the Toyota Prius, the reliability of the 4-cylinder Fusion and Milan ranks higher than that of any other family sedan. Both sedans continue to beat the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, while the Lincoln MKZ tops its Acura TL and Lexus ES rivals.

The last domestic sedan that had better reliability than the Camry and Accord was the Buick Regal in 2004, said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Automotive Test Center.

“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 magazine said. The least reliable vehicles in their respective classes are the new Lexus GS AWD, Nissan Versa sedan and the Subaru Impreza WRX.

Follow the jump for the press release for more details.

Press Release:

CONSUMER REPORTS’ 2009 ANNUAL CAR RELIABILITY SURVEY: FORD SECURES PLACE AMONG WORLD’S MOST RELIABLE CARMAKERS

Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan Reliability Tops Honda Accord and Toyota Camry

YONKERS, NY – Ford has secured its position as the only Detroit automaker with world-class reliability. About 90 percent (46 of 51) of Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln products were found to have average or better reliability, according to Consumer Reports’ 2009 Annual Car Reliability Survey. The results were announced today at an Automotive Press Association luncheon in Detroit.

Ford’s sustained production of vehicles that are as dependable-or better than-some of the industry’s best dispels the notion that only Japanese manufacturers make reliable cars. Other than the Toyota Prius, the reliability of the 4-cylinder Fusion and Milan ranks higher than that of any other family sedan. Both of those Ford Motor Company products continue to beat the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, while the upscale Lincoln MKZ tops its rivals, the Acura TL and Lexus ES.

“It’s rare for Consumer Reports to see family sedans from domestic carmakers continue to beat the reliability scores of such highly regarded Japanese models as the Camry and Accord,” said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Automotive Test Center. The last domestic sedan that had better reliability than the Camry and Accord was the Buick Regal in 2004, he noted.

Ford’s position as the most reliable domestic carmaker includes good scores for its new Ford Flex SUV. But the Lincoln ivision has had mixed results; some models score below their Ford equivalents. All-wheel-drive versions of the Lincoln MKS, MKX, and MKZ, essentially high-end versions of the Ford Taurus, Edge, and Fusion, respectively, are all below average.

More details, and a list of models with the best and worst predicted-reliability Ratings, will appear first on www.ConsumerReports.org. The reliability report will also appear in the December issue of Consumer Reports, on sale November 3, and in the latest Consumer Reports Cars publication, Best & Worst New Cars for 2010, which also includes predicted-reliability ratings for more than 300 models.

A large margin separates the best from the worst. The least reliable vehicle, the Volkswagen Touareg, is 27 times more likely to have a problem than the most reliable car, the Honda Insight.

In addition to the Insight, small car reliability scores stood out. Twenty of 37 small cars have above-average predicted-reliability including the Honda Fit, Scion xD and Volkswagen Golf. Family cars fared nearly as well, with 21 out of 42 scoring above average. Five of the eight most reliable family cars are hybrids, including the Toyota Prius, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Mercury Milan Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid.

Even good brands falter. Among the least reliable vehicles in their respective classes are the all-wheel-drive Lexus GS, the Nissan Versa sedan, and the Subaru Impreza WRX.

Full reliability history charts and predicted-reliability ratings on hundreds of 2010 models, plus a list of what’s up and what’s down, best and worst models, and a comparison chart of brands can be found online at www.ConsumerReports.org, in the December issue and in the latest Consumer Reports Cars publication, Best & Worst New Car for 2010 ($5.99 U.S./$6.99 Canada), on sale November 17, 2009 everywhere magazines are sold.

– By: Omar Rana