The Consumer Reports annual auto reliability survey of 2001 makes and models has found the narrowest margin yet between US domestic and European nameplates. European- and American-branded vehicles averaged 23 and 24 problems per 100 vehicles, respectively, while models made by Japanese companies averaged only 15 problems per 100. The average for all 2001 models was 21 problems per 100 vehicles. CR’s most recent survey recorded readers’ experiences with 512,000 vehicles, spanning the model years 1994 to 2001. Among domestic brands for 2001 models, Chrysler was best with 22 problems per 100, followed by GM (23) and Ford (26). Some Chrysler cars had few problems when new but became troublesome over time. The 2001 300M, for instance, was the most reliable American vehicle, but the 1999 version is on the organisation’s “used cars to avoid” list. Among the 2001 models, the most complaints were for items that CR groups as body integrity: rattles, squeaks, and leaks. Among middle-aged and older (1998 and earlier) models, electrical components — the battery, charging system, wiring, and lights — prompted the most complaints. Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis. Among Japanese manufacturers, the best were Toyota and Subaru, with 12 problems per 100, followed by Honda and Nissan, with 14. Among European makers, Saab had the fewest complaints, 14 problems per 100, but on the strength of only one model, the 9-5. The most reliable vehicle in the survey was the Nissan-made Infiniti QX4 sport-utility vehicle, with a rate of only 4 problems per 100 vehicles. Another SUV, the Toyota-made Lexus RX300, was second, with 5 problems per 100. The most reliable passenger car was the Infiniti I30, with just 6 problems per 100. Of the 142 new vehicles for which Consumer Reports had sufficient data, the midsized Audi A6 2.7T was the worst car (and second-worst vehicle overall), with 42 problems per 100 vehicles. The two-wheel-drive Ford Explorer Sport Trac was the worst vehicle in the survey, with 44 problems per 100 vehicles. Consumer Reports refined the 2001 survey to reflect the changing automotive landscape. Body rust, for instance, has ceased to be a major problem, so the consumer organization eliminated it as one of the 14 separate trouble spots asked about and grouped it with paint and trim. In its place, CR added power equipment (such as power windows, locks, seats, and audio systems) as a new entry. Manually operated equipment is still included in the body-hardware category. For the past few surveys, Consumer Reports has asked about air-bag problems, including malfunctions not related to accidents. The problem rate has been reassuringly low. CR will keep tracking this to see how well air-bag systems hold up.
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