Lexus Ranks Highest in Vehicle Dependability for 6th Consecutive Year
3 November 2000
J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Lexus Ranks Highest in Vehicle Dependability for Sixth Consecutive Year
AGOURA HILLS, Calif.--Nov. 2, 2000--Lexus ranks highest in long-term dependability for the sixth consecutive year, with less than one-half the number of vehicle problems than the average manufacturer -- according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2000 Vehicle Dependability Study(SM).
Following Lexus in the ranking is sports car manufacturer Porsche, with Infiniti, Toyota and Acura, respectively, rounding out the top five. Only three non-luxury makes are in the top ten -- Toyota, Honda and Buick.
"The impact of vehicle quality on customer satisfaction increases over time," said Brian Walters, director of product research at J.D. Power and Associates.
"Manufacturers that understand the importance of long-term durability and produce vehicles that experience fewer problems in the later years of ownership are rewarded with higher customer retention. Fewer vehicle problems also translates into greater satisfaction with dealer service, better brand reputation and a greater likelihood of making recommendations to friends and family."
The study also concludes that manufacturer-certified used vehicles have fewer problems than non-certified used vehicles Fewer problems translate into higher customer satisfaction.
"The differences between certified and non-certified vehicles are especially apparent among non-luxury makes," Walters said. "Among buyers of certified non-luxury vehicles, 25 percent rated their vehicle outstanding, compared with 16 percent of non-certified buyers. Buyers of certified non-luxury vehicles also have higher intentions to recommend their dealership and purchase the same make again."
The study, previously named the Vehicle Dependability Index (VDI), was redesigned for 2000 using an all-new matrix expanded to 137 problems. This new matrix allows consumers the opportunity to more fully describe any issues they may have experienced and provide manufacturers with a better understanding of how the long-term performance of their vehicles affects owners.
Conducted annually, the study is the industry standard measurement of overall long-term dependability. The study monitors the number and type of problems consumers have with their four- to five-year-old vehicles and covers 137 specific problem areas in nine categories. The 2000 study includes responses from 28,415 original owners and owners who purchased used 1996 model-year vehicles.
J.D. Power and Associates
2000 Vehicle Dependability Study(SM)
2000 Nameplate Ranking
Problems Per 100 Vehicles
0 100 200 300 400 500
Lexus..................................216
Porsche.................................220
Infiniti..................................245
Toyota.......................................299
Acura............................................304
Jaguar............................................308
Mercedes-Benz.....................................308
Honda..............................................318
Lincoln.............................................337
Buick................................................340
Cadillac..............................................361
BMW....................................................377
Oldsmobile..............................................380
Subaru...................................................381
Audi......................................................390
Saturn......................................................410
Mercury......................................................412
Geo...........................................................415
Nissan.........................................................419
Mazda...........................................................438
Ford.............................................................443
TOTAL INDUSTRY....................................................448
Finishing below industry average, in alphabetical order, are:
Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Eagle, GMC, Hyundai, Isuzu, Jeep, Kia,
Land Rover, Mitsubishi, Plymouth, Pontiac, Saab, Suzuki, Volvo,
Volkswagen.
Note: Problems per 100 (PP100) vehicles is a measure of quality based
on the total number of problems per 100 vehicles. 150 PP100 translates
to an average of 1.5 problems per vehicle. The lower the score, the
better the performance.
Source: J.D. Power and Associates 2000 Vehicle Dependability
Study(SM)
Charts and graphs extracted from this news release must be accompanied
by a statement identifying J.D. Power and Associates as the publisher
and the J.D. Power and Associates 2000 Vehicle Dependability
Study(SM) as the source. No advertising or other promotional use can
be made of the information in this release or J.D. Power and
Associates survey results without the express prior written consent of
J.D. Power and Associates.
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J.D. Power and Associates
2000 Vehicle Dependability Study(SM)
1996 Model Year Used-Vehicle Choices
1996 Used Vehicle Choices
Compact Car Toyota Tercel
Toyota Corolla
Subaru Impreza Outback
Entry Midsize Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera
Nissan Altima
Buick Skylark
Premium Midsize Honda Accord
Buick LeSabre
Toyota Camry
Toyota Avalon
Sporty Car Mazda Miata
Honda Del Sol
Honda Prelude
Sports Car Porsche 911
Nissan 300ZX
Chevrolet Corvette
Entry Luxury Lexus ES 300
Infiniti G20
Infiniti I30
Premium Luxury Lexus LS 400
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Lexus SC Coupe
Compact Pickup Toyota Tacoma
Nissan Pickup
Ford Ranger
Fullsize Pickup Toyota T100
GMC Sierra
Chevrolet C/K
Mini SUV Toyota RAV4
Compact SUV Toyota 4Runner
Isuzu Trooper
Ford Explorer
Fullsize SUV Toyota Land Cruiser
GMC Yukon
Luxury SUV Lexus LX 450
Compact Van Honda Odyssey
Toyota Previa
Mazda MPV
Top three vehicles in traditional award categories provided they
ranked better than Industry Average.
Source: J.D. Power and Associates 2000 Vehicle Dependability
Study(SM)
Charts and graphs extracted from this news release must be accompanied
by a statement identifying J.D. Power and Associates as the publisher
and the J.D. Power and Associates 2000 Vehicle Dependability
Study(SM) as the source. No advertising or other promotional use can
be made of the information in this release or J.D. Power and
Associates survey results without the express prior written consent of
J.D. Power and Associates.