Buick, Jaguar knock Lexus from top of J.D. Power 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study
by Michael Harley on Mar 19th 2009 at 7:00AM 
Click above for results of 2009 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study
J.D. Power and Associates has just released its 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study... and it is a bombshell. For the past 14 years, including the most recent 2008 Vehicle Dependability Study, Lexus has sat at the top of the chart. In a significant upset this year, Buick and Jaguar have tied for top ranking (with just 122 problems per 100 vehicles) dropping the premium automaker Lexus (126 PP100) down to third place. The top five are rounded out by Toyota (129 PP100) and Mercury (134 PP100).
The Vehicle Dependability Study is designed to accurately measure problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old (2006 model year) vehicles. J.D. Power based this year's results on responses from more than 46,000 original owners of 2006 model-year vehicles. For 2009, the study has also been redesigned to include 202 different problem symptoms across all areas of the vehicle. Scores are based on the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with lower scores reflecting higher vehicle quality. The complete J.D. Power press release and charts can be found after the jump and in the gallery below.
[Source: J.D. Power and Associates]
PRESS RELEASE
J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Buick and Jaguar Tie to Rank Highest for Vehicle Dependability; Toyota Motor Corporation Captures Ten Segment Awards; Ford Motor Company Garners Four
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: 19 March 2009 - Buick and Jaguar each rank highest in vehicle dependability in a tie, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS) released today. Buick improves from a sixth-place ranking in 2008, while Jaguar improves from 10th place. Following in the top five rankings this year are Lexus, Toyota and Mercury.
Toyota garners five segment awards-more than any other nameplate in 2009-for the Highlander, Prius, Sequoia, Solara and Tundra. Lexus follows with four segment awards for the ES 330 (in a tie with the Acura RL), GX 470, LS 430 and SC 430. Lincoln captures two awards for the Mark LT and Zephyr. Models by Acura, Buick, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Mercury, Nissan and Scion each rank highest in one segment.
"Buick has ranked among the top 10 nameplates each year since the study was last redesigned in 2003, while Jaguar has moved rapidly up the rankings," said David Sargent, vice president of automotive research at
J.D. Power and Associates. "Lexus remains a very strong competitor in long-term quality. In particular, the Lexus LS 430 sets the industry standard for dependability, with fewer problems reported than any other model in the study."
The study, which measures problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old (2006 model year) vehicles, has been redesigned to include 202 different problem symptoms across all areas of the vehicle. Overall dependability is determined by the level of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality. The study is used extensively by vehicle manufacturers worldwide to help design and build better vehicles-which typically retain higher resale values-and by consumers to help them make more-informed choices for both new and used vehicles.
"In the current economic climate, consumers are delaying new-vehicle purchases and keeping their vehicles longer-the average age of a vehicle at trade-in has increased to 73 months in 2009 from 65 months in 2006," said Sargent. "This makes vehicle dependability even more critical. Automakers have improved long-term dependability by an average of 10 percent each year since the inception of the study, which is a testament to the industry's commitment to continuously improve and sustain quality, especially long-term quality. Making improvements in long-term quality not only satisfies customers who are holding onto their vehicles longer, but it will also influence their decisions when they return to the new-vehicle market or are seeking to purchase a pre-owned vehicle."
The study finds that the frequency and severity of component replacement has a particularly strong impact on customer loyalty intentions. Component areas for which the impact is greatest include engine and transmission. When engine components are replaced or rebuilt, just 11 percent of customers state that they definitely intend to purchase or lease another vehicle of the same make, compared with nearly 40 percent among owners who report replacing no components.
The study also finds that Buick, Lincoln, Mercury and Jaguar owners are less likely to replace components than owners of other vehicle brands. While component replacement rates are similar for premium and non-premium makes, there are notable differences between vehicle segments. Owners of models in the premium sporty vehicle segment are least likely to replace components, while owners of models in the van segment are most likely to replace components.
The 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study is based on responses from more than 46,000 original owners of 2006 model-year vehicles. The study was fielded in October 2008.
Find more detailed findings on vehicle dependability as well as model photos and specs by reading an article and reviewing brand and segment dependability ratings at JDPower.com.
About J.D. Power and Associates
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, Web intelligence and customer satisfaction. The company's quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.
About The McGraw-Hill Companies
Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2008 were $6.4 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
Dave 7:08AM (3/19/2009)
America, f*ck yeah!
Buick was tied for first last year with Lexus, but who expected Jaguar of all brands to climb so high?
Reply
oldraven 7:44AM (3/19/2009)
Actually that was two years ago. Last year they lost a couple of spots, BUT THEY'RE #1 NOW!
Tool 12:11PM (3/19/2009)
I bet everyone at TMS in Torrance is sh*tting their pants this morning. Long term reliability was Lexus' calling card.
This is further proof that Toyota took their eyes off the ball when they went on this market share grab earlier this decade.
Ligor 12:44PM (3/19/2009)
the only issue I have with these ratings is that they do not rate problems
for example having an engine/trans failure is a much bigger issue to me than having the radio go out, and if I had to choose between a car that has issue with powertrain adn one that has issues with radio, speakers I know what i'd choose
but in general this does show that Toyota and other asian compnies are riding on fluff instead of real quality
Temple 12:53PM (3/19/2009)
Its kinda disconcerting that Buick can get the top spot, yet GM's major brands of Chevrolet and GMC get 'below average' on their dependability when Toyota is still one spot away from Lexus.
Nightcrawler 12:54PM (3/19/2009)
"but in general this does show that Toyota and other asian compnies are riding on fluff instead of real quality"
How does it show Toyota doesn't have real quality? Toyota was still one of the highest rated makes, and Lexus was third. Where do you get a lack of real quality from that?
It more shows they don't have the quality market cornered. Other makes have reliable vehicles as well.
PJ 1:39PM (3/19/2009)
The results aren't terribly surprising when you read this survey as J.D. Power's *2006* Vehicle Dependability Study, which it actually is (see methodology above).
As good as new-vehicle reliability has become, most cars still have more bugs in their first year of production than in following years. In 2006, Lexus had two all-new models, the GS and the IS. Buick had one, the Lucerne, whose body and interior were new, but which used the existing Bonneville/DTS platform and drivetrains. Jaguar had no new models that year.
In other words, don't be surprised if the top three shuffle around next year, when the 2007 XK and Enclave are included in the results.
MKIV 1:51PM (3/19/2009)
One thing this test does not and can not take into count is the demographics and income levels of the owners.
I think a Lexus owner is more affluent than a Buick owner or a Jaguar owner. People who are well off tend to complain about every little thing. Buick owners are generally much older than either Jag or Lexus owners.
Regardless, Buick was there last year but Jag is a complete surprise.
MKIV 1:55PM (3/19/2009)
One thing this test does not and can not take into count is the demographics and income levels of the owners.
I think a Lexus owner is more affluent than a Buick owner or a Jaguar owner. People who are well off tend to complain about every little thing. Buick owners are generally much older than either Jag or Lexus owners.
Regardless, Buick was there last year but Jag is a complete surprise.
Conundrum 8:53PM (3/19/2009)
@ MKIV...
Another way of viewing the results using a similar line of thinking to your own...
Toyota/ Lexus score so highly because people who buy them do so because they know little to nothing about cars and other mechanical appliances. Consumer reports has been calling them a safe bet for years so the lemming type buy them in droves. These same people couldn't check thier own oil let alone tell you what was wrong with thier car the last time they had it to the shop for an oil change and squeak repair.
Chevy/ GMC owners on the other hand tend to be more the "red state" type who likely change thier own oil and know the ins and outs of thier cars much more readily when the survey folks come calling. They can answer much more specifically about problems because they know the inards of an automobile better.
I know this is stereotypical BS to some, but hey many AB posters are always the ones claiming that rednecks buy Chevies. Not to mention that most of my friends & family members who own imports (except me of course) know NOTHING about thier cars. The domestic owners I know are much more "car savvy".
tenl 2:08AM (3/20/2009)
@Temple
"Its kinda disconcerting that Buick can get the top spot, yet GM's major brands of Chevrolet and GMC get 'below average' on their dependability when Toyota is still one spot away from Lexus."
Well, look where Scion is at. 7th from the bottom in quality
Frank 8:35AM (3/20/2009)
There's a lot of what the customers perceptions are that go into these (or any) surveys.
Let me illustrate:
Meet two neighbors, Joe Import and Jack Domestic. They both buy cars at about the same time. Joe gets a Toyota and Jack buys a Dodge. Joe pays $28k and Jack pays $25k. Jack’s domestic car has more passenger and trunk room and gets only an EPA rated 1 mpg less than Joe’s import car. Other than that both cars are nearly identical in specs and driving dynamics.
At 60k mile Joe takes his car to his friendly Toyota dealer for scheduled maintenance. The dealer tells him he needs to have his timing belt changed, fluids changed, and there is a Toyota "service campaign" (*cough* recall *cough*) to replace his "sofarkiss", it’s fine, but it might go bad. Joe signs his work order happy and content that his Toyota is running so fine and he has such a nice dealer to take care of it for him. Total cost for his “maintenance” - $600. Joe is happy and content.
Jack also takes his car to his friendly Dodge dealer for it’s 60k mile scheduled maintenance. The car needs fluids changed and a tune up. No mention is made of a timing belt or any doodads like a "sofarkiss". Total cost for his maintenance - $125. Jack is happy and content.
At 90k miles Jack’s Dodge throws a timing belt. He has to be towed to the dealer. The dealer is apologetic and says he will fix Jack’s car right away. Total cost for the repair - $350. Jack is NOT happy or content.
Two months later, Jack gets a recall notice to have his Dodge’s "sofarkiss" replaced, it’s fine, but it might go bad. Jack takes his car to the dealer, who does the work for free, but Jack is irrate that he had to take time from his busy schedule to get this done.
Later that week Joe and Jack are talking, and the conversation turns to cars. Jack tells Joe about his recent repair with his Dodge and the later recall. Joe tells him he has never had a problem with his timing belt or any recalls on his Toyota. He tells him it runs great and doesn’t hit him with unexpected repair bills. It also gets “great mileage” because “it’s Japanese”. “You might spend more initially for a Toyota, but you will save more in the end with lower repair bills”, says Joe. Jack listens intently, and decides that the next time he’s in the market for a car, he will go down to the Toyota dealership and see what they’ve got.
Later, Joe and Jack get a survey mailed to them from JD Powers. Joe gives his Totyota nothing but high ratings. Jack gives his Dodge less than stellar ratings.
In the final analysis, Joe is a much more content customer than Jack, even though Joe paid $3000 more to purchase his car and paid $125 more for it’s upkeep than Jack. Jack is disatisfied with his car, even though it cost him less money overall and has more room and trunk space. And Jack thinks that Joe’s Toyota saves much more on gas, even though it only gets 1 mpg more.
PJ 1:13AM (3/21/2009)
You're not far off base, Frank, but if we follow your theoretical anecdote five years down the road, Joe Import gets $10,000 on his trade-in when purchasing his next vehicle, while Jack Domestic ekes out $4,000. At that point, the difference in maintenance costs over the last seven years (which I'm not entirely convinced of, given the desperation of D3 dealers and their attached service departments) become but a drop in the total-cost-of-ownership bucket... and once again, Jack is thinking he should have bought Joe's car. Unfair? Maybe, but that's the market.
C.W. 7:11AM (3/19/2009)
Gotta love Ford Lincoln Mercury being consistently in the top of these things now. Keep it up!
Reply
Mike B. 10:42AM (3/19/2009)
Gotta love that this is just at the beginning of FLM resurgence. In 2006 people were still buying the five hundred/montego, the old escape/mariner, the old focus, and the lincoln LS V8. The fusion/milan/zephyr had just come out. The 2008 focus, taurus/sable, escape/mariner won't be out until the next spring/summer.
FLM will just keep working they're way up the list.
frozen canuck 11:42AM (3/19/2009)
I always thought that JD POwers was a crock of sh**, but now I know. They rate the dodge caravan as most reliable....LOL, but what seals it is the fact that they rate the Ford freestar as number 2. there hasn't been a freestar since 2007. What a load of crap. And no I am not a Jap fan boy ...as a matter of fact if anything a Ford fanboy
chconline 11:55AM (3/19/2009)
frozen canuck, I'm with you lol. Dodge Caravan as most reliable? I thought it was common knowledge that it's only the most reliable for Volkswagen at launch... of course it wasn't out yet back at the time, but still, the reliability is crap.
Mike B. 2:06PM (3/19/2009)
@frozen:
This is the 3year dependability study for 2006MY vehicles. The freestar would be included in that.
Evan 7:24AM (3/19/2009)
I'm sorry, but putting Jaguar at the top of the list instantly shows that JD Power is not reliable. Jaguar has long has dependability issues, and they have not been remedied, illustrated in the new XF's already long list of problems.
With all the money that automakers pay JD, their objectivity is immediately in question.
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Kimura 7:32AM (3/19/2009)
Oh please, like CR is the epitome of objectivity either. JD is far more objective.
I admit that Jaguar being up there is surprising, but hey, at least it's not being assumed it's reliable because of the brand like some organizations do.