DOWNWARD DRIVE
U.S. auto companies fall in rankings amid increase in reports of mechanical troubles,
DETROIT— U.S. auto companies such as General Motors, Tesla and Ford faltered this year in Consumer Reports’ reliability rankings as readers reported more mechanical trouble with their vehicles.
The magazine and website said all U.S.-based brands fell to the bottom half of 29 brands in the rankings. Lexus and Toyota were once again at the top.
Consumer Reports got more than 500,000 responses to the annual survey of its subscribers, and it uses the data from the 2000-2017 model years to predict reliability of 2019 vehicles.
The survey released Wednesday found that readers are having more trouble with technology designed to increase fuel economy than they are with electronic infotainment systems. The mechanical problems with smaller turbocharged engines and transmissions with multiple gears could leave people stranded, said Jake Fisher, director of auto testing at the magazine.
“It’s worse for the consumer, absolutely,” Fisher said. “I would be happy to not be able to pair my phone five times than get stuck on the side of the road once.”
Mazda, Subaru, Kia, Infiniti, Audi, BMW, Mini and Hyundai rounded out the top 10 auto brands. Volvo had the worst reliability followed by Cadillac, Tesla, Ram and GMC. Asian or Korean brands took seven of the top 10 spots.
Tesla dropped six places from last year and now ranks 27th. GM’s Buick, normally a top-10 finisher, tumbled 11 spots to No. 19. Ford was the highest-ranked U.S. brand but fell three places to No. 18.
In the case of Tesla, the Model S luxury electric car fell from “above average” reliability to “below average” as readers reported trouble with the air sus- pension and door handles that extend from the body when the driver approaches.
General Motors’ brands were hurt by mechanical problems including transmissions on its newly introduced large crossover SUVs such as the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia.
Almost the opposite are Toyota and its Lexus luxury brand, which have taken the top two slots for the sixth straight year, Fisher said.