CarMD ranks most, least reliable used cars and carmakers
The research company used data factoring in check-engine-related problems and repair costs.
For the second consecutive year, Toyota ranks as the most reliable automaker in CarMD's Vehicle Health Index, which measures vehicle reliability. Even less surprising, the 2010 Corolla claimed the top spot for trustworthiness in the individual vehicle category.The index, which was launched last year, pulls from a database of 136 million vehicle repairs from cars built within the past 10 years. To compile the rankings, it averages the number of check-engine-related problems and the amount of repair costs for each car and carmaker.
This year saw a bit of a shake-up on the domestic front. In 2011, Ford and General Motors occupied the fourth and fifth spots, respectively, but this time around, they dropped out of the top five. Instead Hyundai, BMW, Honda and Volkswagen rounded out the upper echelons of the rankings.
Yet despite its fall among automakers, Ford scored big among individual vehicles, with its 2008 Focus claiming the No. 2 spot below the Corolla. Next in the rankings came the 2008 Toyota Yaris, 2009 Honda Pilot and 2008 Honda Accord.
Among the top vehicles, Hyundai had the lowest average repair cost ($271.86) and BMW the highest ($502.48). But the BMW figure was offset by the fact that those cars rarely need repairs, according to CarMD's data.
The 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan took honors as the most reliable minivan, while the 2010 Subaru Forester was named the best wagon/crossover SUV. Topping the truck category was the 2008 Ford Ranger; the 2007 Lexus ES350 was the highest-ranking luxury vehicle.
The two top hybrids were Toyotas -- and in fact, they were both Priuses. The 2009 model edged out the 2008 model by a hair. These vehicles don't require many repairs, but when they do, it's costly, averaging more than $700.
Toyota's dominance came despite the fact that average repair costs for the carmaker rose since last year -- hitting $490.72. The jump was offset by a decrease in the number of required repairs.
[Source: CarMD]
Yes, the gap between Japanese auto quality may have decreased slightly but you won't find a single car rating organization will agree with you when you try to claim that the US is building "as good" or "better" vehicles. The facts are what they are, the Japanese are still building better vehicles than the US and the bloggers that constantly try to slam them are simply incorrect or refuse to accept the facts.
Not sure about other cars. I have a 2008 Ford Mustang GT, I take it to the short track regularly, it has 95000 miles and its runs great, the trim is a bit loose. I also own a 2012 Ford Focus, it already has 44500 miles and so far one of the lights had water on it, $5 dollar fix.
Thankfully I got rid off a 2005 Hyundai Elantra which I bought new and in 7 years I had to replace the Radiator, the speakers, the radio, the power window on passenger side, the antena, had engine trouble and spent 1000+ on the mechanic, replaced the Air Flow Sensor. I also replaced the shift knob, the lights front and back, the trim had colors that did not match. After all that I still had the check engine on. Based on my experience with Hyundai I am sorry but they are OK at best.
No hating, just driving
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