• by Karl Greenberg , August 10, 2007

In the new J.D. Power & Associates Vehicle Dependability study, which measures consumer-reported problems with their vehicles after three years of ownership, the winners aren't a surprise. Both Buick and Lexus have been consistent leaders for years.

What is new is that this time around, General Motors' Buick ties with Toyota's Lexus for first place--the first time in 12 years Lexus has had to share the catbird seat with anyone. Domestic brands also took second and third place, General Motors' Cadillac brand and Ford's Mercury brand, respectively.

In the study, which is based on responses between January and April this year from more than 53,000 original owners of 2004 model-year vehicles, Lexus had the most vehicle-segment winners. Sibling Toyota won four segment awards for the RAV 4, Sequoia, Tacoma and Tundra. Then came Ford and Honda.

Because the awards are based on vehicles bought new in 2004, there's a certain automatic obsolescence inherent in the study's results. General Motors, for example, came in after Honda in segment awards with its Oldsmobile brand, which had two winners for Bravada and Silhouette. Neither the brand or the vehicles are made any more.

Models by Buick, Chevrolet, Infiniti, Mazda and Scion each rank highest in one segment.

General Motors' Hummer brand was the most improved brand in the study, although it continues to rank below the industry average. Hummer improves by 65 problems per 100 vehicles since 2006.

The consultancy says high dependability scores can mean a 15% higher retention of residual value after three years, which may increase their purchase prices when sold as used vehicles. In particular, vehicle models that demonstrate strong dependability lose their value less rapidly compared with vehicles that are not as dependable, per the firm.

Also, per the study, 65% of vehicle owners experience one or more problems that require components to be replaced. Such owners are considerably less satisfied than owners who don't need to replace components. Satisfaction is decreased further if owners are required to replace a major component, such as a transmission, as well as if minor components, such as brake pads, need to be replaced frequently.