Lexus tops 2014 JD Power Dependability Study, again

Brett Davis

Lexus has done it again, topping the coveted J.D. Power US Vehicle Dependability Study. This is the third year in a row the Japanese carmaker has picked up the crown.

2013 Lexus LS 430

The study this year included data collected from 41,000 participants who own a vehicle built in 2011. The survey looks at problems experienced in the last 12 months, with scores given on a problems-experienced-per-100-vehicle basis, concentrating on 202 different areas of the vehicle.

Lexus came home with the lowest score, with 68 PP100. A significant 36 points separated it from second place Mercedes-Benz. Cadillac, Acura, and Buick finished up the top five.

This year the average score was 133, which is 7 worse than last year’s score (126). It’s been 15 years since problems have actually increased on the year before. According to J.D. Power, most of the issues were engine and transmission faults.

Customers also found issues with four-cylinder engines. Smaller units are becoming more and more popular, however, it seems there are hesitation and performance concerns that consumers are not liking.

The most dependable vehicle model was the Lexus LS and Cadillac DTS, both with a score of 62. Lexus vehicles went on to make up six of the top 12, with the ES 350, GS, and RX standing out as most dependable.

As for the bottom runners, MINI was the worst with a score of 185, followed by Dodge, Land Rover, and Jeep.

2014 JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study

Next Post

For Sale: Lexus IS 200 with 1UZ 4.0L V8 conversion

The first-gen Lexus IS 200 is already regarded as a great driver’s car. The only main drawback is the engine, or more specifically, the fact the platform could do with more power. A unique 1999 example has popped up on My105 which cures such deficiencies very nicely. It features a […]