North Carolina Lemon Law Blog

Beyond the NC Lemon Law 2008 Vehicle Reliability Findings

february 03, 2009 06:13am

Are you thinking of replacing your vehicle? If so, make sure you do some research on vehicle reliability first. According to MSN Autos' latest Annual Car Reliability Survey, hundreds of new and used car models provide good reliability; not to mention, many of them are also fuel efficient and cost-effective.

Generally speaking, fuel-efficient vehicles comprise a very reliable segment of the current automotive market. European vehicles, which for the past five years have trailed behind the domestic models, are now showing signs of improvement.

The findings of MSN Autos' 2008 Car Reliability Survey are based on the experiences of those who were polled with 1.4 million vehicles. Respondents were surveyed on any serious problems or defects they had with their vehicles in 17 trouble spots during the last year, the results of which yielded current predicted-reliability ratings for new cars.


According to the survey, nine hybrid models, most from Japanese automakers, earned above-average predicted-reliability ratings. Conventional gas-sippers such as the Honda Fit, Scion xD, Smart ForTwo, and Toyota Yaris had few problems, according to the consumers who were surveyed.

Some European automakers, particularly Mercedes-Benz, had slipped to the bottom of predicted-reliability ratings in recent years. However, the latest survey results indicate a comeback.

Six Mercedes-Benz models, including the redesigned C-Class sedan, the ML350 SUV, and the sporty SL, have improved to average reliability, and as a result, are now recommended to consumers.


If you have purchased or leased a new vehicle that you're finding to be less than reliable, you may have a lemon on your hands. Educate yourself on the Lemon Law of North Carolina, by contacting NC lemon law attorney Sean Soboleski at his Asheville, NC office.


Used Vehicle Reliability

Often, used vehicles offer the best value because you're avoiding the biggest expense associated with purchasing a new car: depreciation.

For example, a seven-year-old Lexus RX SUV, a safe and reliable vehicle that typically costs $40K when new, can be found for $12 to $14K. Furthermore, drivers don't have to settle for a new small car like the Toyota Yaris when they can find a fairly new, roomier, and better equipped used vehicle in the same price range, such as a Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, or Toyota Camry.

To minimize the risks, look for vehicles that have proven their reliability over the years.

These are models that have performed well in CR road tests over the years, and have proved to have several or more years of better-than-average reliability:

Acura Integra
Acura MDX
Acura RL
Acura RSX
Acura TL
Acura TSX
BMW M3
Buick LaCrosse
Honda Accord
Honda Civic
Honda Civic Hybrid
Honda CR-V
Honda Element
Honda Odyssey
Honda Pilot
Honda S2000
Infiniti FX
Infiniti G20
Infiniti G35
Infiniti I30, I35
Infiniti QX4
Lexus ES
Lexus GS (RWD)
Lexus GX
Lexus IS
Lexus LS
Lexus RX
Lexus SC
Lincoln Continental
Lincoln Town Car
Mazda Millenia
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Mazda Protegé
Mazda3
Mitsubishi Endeavor
Mitsubishi Outlander
Nissan Altima
Nissan Maxima
Nissan Murano
Pontiac Vibe
Porsche 911 (except '03)
Scion tC
Scion xB
Subaru Baja
Subaru Forester
Subaru Impreza
Subaru Legacy
Subaru Outback
Toyota 4Runner
Toyota Avalon
Toyota Camry (except '07 V6)
Toyota Camry Solara
Toyota Celica
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Echo
Toyota Highlander
Toyota Land Cruiser
Toyota Matrix
Toyota Prius
Toyota RAV4
Toyota Sequoia
Toyota Sienna
Toyota Tundra (except '07 V8 4WD)
Volvo S60


These vehicles showed multiple Used Car Verdicts that were much worse than average, according to survey respondents. They consistently had more problems than other models overall:

Buick Rendezvous (AWD)
Buick Terraza
Chevrolet Astro
Chevrolet Blazer
Chevrolet Colorado (4WD)
Chevrolet S-10 Pickup (4WD)
Chevrolet Uplander
Chevrolet Venture
Chrysler Town & Country (AWD)
Dodge Grand Caravan (AWD)
GMC Canyon (4WD)
GMC Jimmy
GMC S-15 Sonoma (4WD)
GMC Safari
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Kia Sedona
Land Rover Discovery, LR3
Lincoln Aviator
Mercedes-Benz SL
Nissan Armada (4WD)
Nissan Titan (4WD)
Oldsmobile Bravada
Oldsmobile Silhouette
Pontiac Aztek
Pontiac G6
Pontiac Montana, Trans Sport, Montana SV6
Saturn Relay
Volkswagen Cabriolet
Volkswagen Jetta Sedan (turbo)
Volkswagen Jetta Sedan (V6)
Volkswagen Touareg

For information on the reliability of used vehicles, check out the article "Best and Worst Used Cars", provided by ConsumerReports.org and posted on MSN Autos.

If you have experienced problems with any of the above vehicles, or if you think you might have a lemon, contact North Carolina Lemon Law attorney Sean Soboleski, at his Asheville, NC office.

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