Lexus, Porsche Top Automotive Quality List
By Jesus Sanchez, Times Staff Writer

Luxury automakers Lexus and Porsche topped this year's J.D. Power list of automotive quality as the auto industry in general, including American manufacturers, showed an impressive gain in building more dependable vehicles, according to the annual survey released today.

The study, which measures the problems reported by the owners of 2002 model year vehicles, found that long-term quality across all brands and makers rose 12% from last year's results, according to Westlake Village-based J.D. Power & Associates. The categories showing the most significant improvements in 2005 included ride, handling and braking; engine; and interior.

Eight General Motors models and five from Ford Motor Co. received the highest rankings in their categories, while the owners of South Korean-made Hyundai vehicles reported the largest reduction in problems, according to the survey, which is based on the responses from more than 50,000 vehicle owners.

"Even though there is still room for improvement, Hyundai is a great example of an automaker that is making strides toward improving vehicle quality by paying close attention to owner feedback and designing products with both short- and long-term quality in mind," said J.D. Powers research chief Chance Parker in a statement.

Despite industrywide improvements, Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus brand continued to lead the quality rankings, taking first place for the eleventh consecutive year. The Lexus quality score improved 14% compared to last year to 139 reported problems for every 100 vehicles.

The quality score for Porsche, which placed second among nameplates, shot up 38% — the largest percentage increase in this year's survey — to 149 problems for every 100 vehicles.

Meanwhile, Kia Motors of South Korea came in at the bottom of the quality rankings, with 397 problems for every 100 vehicles.

J.D. Power Nameplate Ranking

(Problems per 100 vehicles)

Lexus 139

Porsche 149

Lincoln 151

Buick 163

Cadillac 175

Infiniti 178

Toyota 194

Mercury 195

Honda 201

Acura 203

BMW 225

Ford 231

Chevrolet 232

Chrysler 235

Industry Average 237

Mercedes-Benz 283

What was the number for Mercedes?

__________________
Lawrence Coppari

2002 SLK32 AMG
2005 Acura TL
1987 328GTS
1986 944T

Complete Listing

Lexus 139
Porsche 149
Lincoln 151
Buick 163
Cadillac 175
Infiniti 178
Toyota 194
Mercury 195
Honda 201
Acura 203
BMW 225
Ford 231
Chevrolet 232
Chrysler 235
Industry Average 237
Saturn 240
Oldsmobile 242
GMC 245
Pontiac 245
Mazda 252
Hyundai 260
Subaru 260
Volvo 266
Jaguar 268
Dodge 273
Nissan 275
Mitsubishi 278
Mercedes-Benz 283
Saab 286
Jeep 289
Suzuki 292
Audi 312
Daewoo 318
Isuzu 331
Volkswagen 335
MINI 383
Land Rover 395
Kia 397

I never knew the MINI's had that many problems. What sort of problems do they have?

__________________
1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

I would love to buy a Lexus if they could come out with better looking cars. These Lexus remind of the old Infiniti and the Nissan models, so damn sterile looking You know what happened to the previous design team for Infiniti and Nissan after the French took over Lexus would sell a lot more if they fire the design team and hire the Infiniti guys

__________________
Flash Gordon

2003 E500 BlackOpal/Charcoal

2004 Infiniti G35X

The 6/30/2005 Wall Street Journal has an article on the J.D. Power survey results. I just skimmed it during an afternoon coffee break. My opinion: once again JD Power proves itself worthless.

I'll explain. There is actually a bit of Mercedes content in the article. MB improved their score by a modest margin, though it still remains lousy. An MB spokesperson cited the top three "problems" reported on 2002 model year MB vehicles by consumers: brake dust on front wheels, uneven tire wear, inadequate cup holders.

That's it. Once again proving that what the average person thinks is absolutely meaningless to those more sophisticated and knowledgable about automobiles.

- JimY

Very interesting. It still does not change the fact that Mercedes is almost on the bottom of the list. I know Mercedes quality is not what it used to be but I don't think that it is that bad. When some one pays $70,000+ for a car their expectations are much higher than someone who pays $20,000.

Actually I don't think thats true anymore. Your average Honda Accord driver although cheap expects exceptional quality in terms of durability and fit&finish. Honda wouldn't get a way without it now. Their customers have become very picky in that regard, don't let the rice crowd fool you. In fact thats probably the reason Mercedes is suffering so much. I mean you drive a Honda for years without any major issue and then "upgrade" to a Benz and wham, you all of a sudden have to get familiar with the interiors of your local mercedes car dealership.

I think it would be reasonable to believe that if you spent the equivalent of a tract home on a vehicle, it should not require expensive repairs for many years.

Would you feel it would be reasonable to buy a million-dollar home and have to replace a leaky roof, cracked floor tile, and a busted water heater in two years?

__________________
2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Perhaps the "story" is that Lexus, Porsche, Lincoln, Buick, Cadillac and Infiniti buyers aren't typical car buyers either, yet they found their purchases more satisfactory. Seems like a fairly "persnickety" group.

Were there any such surveys done in the early 1980's...?

I currently own a MB 240D, the overall quality and workmanship of which is like nothing I have seen in any other car that I have owned.

I am curious as to what MB's standing was at that time...

- Patrick

__________________
1982 240D. 198k, Marine Blue/Blue, 4 Speed, Crank Windows, No Sunroof, No Rust, No Oil Leaks
2001 TDI. 197k, Lagoon Blue/Black, 5 speed, Chip, G60/VR6

I think J.D. Powers started surveying customer satisfaction of autos in the late 60's.

In April this year I purchased a 2005 Acura TL. Can't find anything wrong with it. Dealer offered me 1300 bucks more for my old 400E than MB dealer offered me in 2003 in trade. Car had 18K more miles on it in 2005. We are very happy with the Acura.

We are having a little trouble with the trunk on SLK32. If you move the top up or down, trunk won't catch when slammed. Last year my wife could not open trunk after moving top. There seems to be a design flaw. Parts are not remaining in adjustment.

__________________
Lawrence Coppari

2002 SLK32 AMG
2005 Acura TL
1987 328GTS
1986 944T

Mercedes below Hyundai? How times have changed.

__________________
1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

I think the current test dates to 1985. Mercedes was number one by a hefty margin until about the early '90s - until the advent of Lexus and the 140.

Looks like Mercedes doesn't even care about being number one anymore.

Tom