Consumer Reports releases 2008 Reliability Survey
Regardless of where you stand on the validity of Consumer Reports' testing and survey methods, there's millions of people out there who consider the magazine their buying bible. Thus, it's news when the non-profit releases findings from a new subscriber-based survey. This time it's the 2008 Reliability Survey, and while you'll have to buy the latest issue of Consumer Reports to see how your favorite favorite brand or model in particular performed, the overall trends indicate that fuel efficient vehicles, whether they be hybrids or just small gas-powered cars, are very reliable. Also, Ford is reportedly pulling away from its domestic rivals in the reliability arena with the majority of its models, including Lincoln and Mercury vehicles, now scoring above the industry average.
You may recall the shock from last year's survey in which three Toyota models – the Camry V6, Tundra V8 4WD and Lexus GS AWD – all fell below average in predicted reliability. Consumer Reports says that those three models have clawed their way back up to average reliability scores, while every other Toyota, Lexus and Scion model in the survey scored average or better. Finally, while European brands are reportedly improving their reliability, many models remain below average and Land Rover has again came up dead last with all four of its SUVs scoring far below average. Oh, and remember when Jeremy Clarkson called the Chrysler Sebring Convertible the "worst car in the entire world"? Apparently CR subscribers who own one agree, scoring it worst in reliability of all the models surveyed and 283% below the average.
[Source: Consumer Reports]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Gabagool 3:30PM (10/23/2008)
"Regardless of where you stand on the validity of Consumer Reports' testing and survey methods,"------------Great First line John, way to go. So because most Detroit groupies in here bash CR for giving those welfare cases poor ratings, that allows you to question CRs validity??????????????????????????????????????????????
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Bob-omb 3:39PM (10/23/2008)
Look at all those question marks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This reliability is based on a trend of three years, if available. Small cars tend to be reliable due to their simplicity. Fords do have decent initial reliability, if nothing else. And the Sebring totally blows. Yep, not much new here.
Dave 7:49PM (10/28/2008)
Surveys are for paying members only
The Luigiian 5:31PM (10/23/2008)
"Ford's three brands-Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury-continue to pull away from the rest of the Detroit automakers. Almost all Ford models are now average or better, with the exception of some that are truck-based. Excluding those, Ford's reliability is now on par with good Japanese automakers."--Consumer Reports, 2008
All right, I'm gonna play Detroit groupie today, Gabagool.
By which I mean to say, HAHAHAHAHA.
TJ 3:30PM (10/23/2008)
Yeah, the current model Sebring Vert is a dud in every aspect. Its a shame, because the first gen was at the top of its game.
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Geeky1 3:36PM (10/23/2008)
If by "its game" you mean "perfect for fleet sales and geriatrics", then yeah, it was...
Pips 6:41PM (10/23/2008)
The current Sebring convertible is a joke, Chrysler should go back to their original design for the Lebaron convertible and copy it on the Sebring. At least I still saw one sample of a 1987 still running around in my building.
stevereportdotcom 3:45PM (10/23/2008)
This is why Detroit is going to look like "Escape from NY" the movie. GM and Ford are playing catch up in reliability. This should have been a focus in the 90's. Oh well, get used to someday choosing from Toyota, Honda, Mazda and Hyundai for a passenger car. Don't blame the buyers, blame the exec's.
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JF 4:28PM (10/23/2008)
stevereportdotcom,
Open your eyes. Many GM and Ford (not opening the Chrysler bag of worms) vehicles are on par or better than their Japanese counterparts. And don't get me wrong, I'm also a huge fan of my old CB7 Accord (runs perfect with 205k on the odo) and many Mazda's, but there are many good vehicles coming out of Detroit as well.
Amit 4:59PM (10/23/2008)
JF, while there might be individual models from GM that are more reliable than average, many customers look at the average reliability of a particular brand. If that criterion is used, this report does not paint a pretty picture for Chevy and most other GM brands. Ford barely makes the cut. After looking at this report, a non-biased car buyer might completely disqualify GM brands on reliability alone.
Gabagool 5:01PM (10/23/2008)
JF
But in terms of quality Lexus is always #1 followed by Porche followed by TOYOTA
I believe last time Chevy was below industry average.
Some Detroit models are better in quality, Buick is probably better than some Toyotas, but overall Toyota and Honda are way above overall GM. No question about it.
psu48187 5:19PM (10/23/2008)
stevereportdotcom: It's rather apparent that you didn't bother with the link from CR it essentially contradicts the basis of your entire statement (as far as Ford is concerned at least)
"Ford's three brands-Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury-continue to pull away from the rest of the Detroit automakers. Almost all Ford models are now average or better, with the exception of some that are truck-based. Excluding those, Ford's reliability is now on par with good Japanese automakers."
Andrew 3:47PM (10/23/2008)
Sorry to be a nerd, but the article says 283% "worse than the average model". I assume they mean that it has 2.83 times as many reported problems. That's not the same thing as 283% "below average". A number could never be more than 100% "below average". (Although you could be 283% above average.)
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Lostintime 7:05PM (10/23/2008)
or it could be..... GASP 2.83 times worse....
Frank 4:12PM (10/23/2008)
It will be interesting to see how the Dodge Avenger is rated. It is identical to the Sebring and made by the same people in the same factory. If CR doesn't combine the two into one rating (I think they will though) don't be surprised if it rates a lot better. That's because the Sebring, while admittedly not a good car, suffers from all the bad press and bashing in the media, and that colors it's perception. Since CR will probably combine the data on the two, I would love to look at the internals of the survey and see what the differences are. The short of it is that the Sebring is a bad vehicle but not as bad as it's made out to be. If Chrysler is around to make another, better to rename it LeBaron or some other name. They have tainted the Sebring name, probably forever.
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Tourian 4:16PM (10/23/2008)
But they are talking about the convertible. There's enough difference in the way they are built to warrant different ratings then the sedans.
Frank 4:29PM (10/23/2008)
You have a point there, if they rate the convertible separate from the sedans. I have not heard any issues with the tops including the hard top but there could be some issues with body integrity.
rextang 5:52PM (10/23/2008)
I currently drive a Sebring sedan 2.7 that I ended up with for a variety of reasons that do not include "wanting a Sebring". I am extremely pleased with the car and do not get all the Sebring bashing. I love power just as much as the next guy, but consider anything over 200hp in a fwd family sedan to be pointless. Coming out of 20+ years of Hondas in the family and three of my own, I can honestly say it is a pleasing car to drive. Yes, the 4cyl engine needs refinement, so I passed. I also passed on the 3.5L for deplorable gas mileage and poor balance. Unfortunately, people miss the one in the middle, which happens to be a great car (in its category). The exterior styling is growing on me and the dash controls are among the simplest in the industry and can also lay claim to Honda's old "we make it simple" adage. The interior is some form of modern art, but at least has a design direction that is pleasing to the eye and not copy cat. The seats are firm in all the right places and if you pass on the pathetic excuse for leather that finds its way into cars these days, you will find the cloth material is great. For those of you with a dash board fondling fetish out there, I have to let you know that the dash is actually soft, however its pebblestone texture may hurt your penis when you rub it across.
For anyone still reading and thinking that I am too soft, I still have my old school (japanese) cult sport hatch for getting a true sporting experience, but it's capabilities far exceed what I need on a daily basis.
I'm going to get into the Sebring now and crank up Boston sound system which is probably why I like the car as much as I do.
David 4:15PM (10/23/2008)
Nobody bothered to RTFA, including you.
"Ford's reliability is now on par with good Japanese automakers."
Suck it.
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Chris 4:20PM (10/23/2008)
meaning they finally caught up to Mazda, essentially their sister corp?
Now all that Ford has to do is make cars people want to drive