Toyota, Honda `Dominate' Consumer Reports Reliability Survey
Toyota Motor Corp., which has recalled more than 10 million vehicles in the past year, tied with Honda Motor Co. for the most models with top scores in Consumer Reports’ annual reliability survey, Bloomberg reported.
Toyota and Honda each led in five categories and continue to “dominate” the ratings, the Yonkers, N.Y.-based magazine said in a statement today. Ford Motor Co. was the only U.S. automaker with top scores, in two categories. General Motors Co. improved the most among the domestic companies.
Most of the recalls at Toyota, the world’s largest automaker, followed reports of sudden, unintended acceleration, which caused the company to slow its vehicle-development process and scrutinize suppliers. Toyota’s U.S. market share fell 1.4 percentage points to 15.2 percent this year through September, according to Autodata Corp. in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.
“There’s a difference between actually having problems and having your car recalled,” Jake Fisher, senior automotive engineer at Consumer Reports’ vehicle test center, said in a telephone interview. “While the recalls were widespread, the actual problems people were having associated with those recalls were much smaller.”
Consumer Reports based its findings on responses of subscribers who owned or leased 1.3 million cars and trucks.
For Toyota City, Japan-based Toyota, the Yaris small car, FJ Cruiser mid-size sport-utility vehicle, Lexus LX luxury SUV, Sienna minivan with V-6 engine and front-wheel drive and Tundra full-size pickup truck led in Consumer Reports’ categories.
Tokyo-based Honda’s top scorers were the front-wheel-drive Acura TL for upscale cars, Acura RL luxury car, CR-V small SUV, Acura RDX upscale compact SUV and Ridgeline compact pickup.
More Industry

Autos More Appealing
Consumers gave new cars better scores again this year for design, performance and more as mass-market brands kept gaining on premium lineups, JD Power found in an annual poll.
Read More →
Used EVs Defy Overall Market
While the used-car market saw three months of price declines or stagnation, the used EV segment did the opposite – rising for three straight months.
Read More →
Gone to the Dogs
A Stellantis brand decided to have some fun with one of its SUVs’ design to address growing emphasis on family pets.
Read More →
OEM Poll Sees Industry Evolution
Kerrigan Advisors’ survey of automakers finds that tariffs, technology, network tightening and other factors are poised to reshape auto retail.
Read More →
Luxe N.C. Dealerships Change Hands
A collection of Italian and English brand franchises were handed off to the owner’s friend in the business and include the Carolinas’ only Ferrari retail stores.
Read More →
Exposure Drives Interest in Chinese Cars
At a recent demonstration, consumers had the chance to ride in a Chinese-branded vehicle, a firsthand experience that improved their perceptions and purchase intent.
Read More →
Automotive Consumers Sink Further in Debt
Most financing metrics hit records in the second quarter as more buyers locked themselves into long terms and high monthly payments.
Read More →
Agent Advocate
Rob Mancuso, who comes from a long line of auto dealers, values general agents’ place in the industry and makes a case for them taking an even bigger seat at the table.
Read More →
Driving Under Distraction
Though consumers gave higher marks to new vehicles in JD Power’s most recent initial-quality poll, high-tech interference worsened, pointing to craving for simplicity.
Read More →
Affordable New Cars a Thing of the Past
More than one out of five new vehicles sell for more than $60,000, according to Edmunds. That's up 7% compared to prepandemic 2019.
Read More →