Lexus, Toyota top reliability survey

Associated Press

DETROIT

Elaborate new transmissions are helping automakers meet rising fuel economy standards, but they’re also requiring more trips to the repair shop.

Transmission problems tripped up Honda, Nissan, Jeep and other brands in Consumer Reports’ annual reliability survey. Drivers reported rough shifting, clutch failure and even transmissions that had to be replaced twice in the first year of car ownership.

Lexus and Toyota – which rely on older transmissions in many of their models – were the best-performing brands in the survey. Lexus or Toyota has topped the survey since 2011. Audi, Mazda and Subaru rounded out the top five. The worst performers were Infiniti, Cadillac, Ram, Jeep and Fiat among 28 brands.

The survey, released Tuesday, predicts the reliability of 2016 cars and trucks based on a survey of its subscribers. This year’s survey was based on responses from owners of 740,000 vehicles. Consumer Reports’ annual survey is closely watched by the auto industry, since many potential buyers follow the Yonkers, N.Y.-based company’s recommendations.