U.S. vehicle dependability improved 9 pct over 2017: study

CHICAGO, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Overall U.S. vehicle dependability improved 9 percent over 2017, according to a study released Wednesday by marketing research company J.D. Power.

Titled "2018 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study," it measures the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles over the past 12 months by the original owners of three-year-old vehicles, namely 2015 model-year vehicles.

The overall U.S. auto industry average improved to 142 problems per 100 vehicles in 2017, down 9 percent from 156 problems in 2016, according to the study.

Dave Sargent, vice president of Global Automotive at J.D. Power, said the findings show U.S. consumers are generally satisfied with their cars.

"For the most part, automotive manufacturers continue to meet consumer' vehicle dependability expectations," Sargent said in a statement. "A 9 percent improvement is extremely impressive, and vehicle dependability is, without question, at its best level ever."

For a seventh consecutive year, Lexus ranked highest in overall vehicle dependability among all brands, with a score of 99 problems per 100 vehicles. Porsche ranked a close second with 100 problems per 100 vehicles.

Buick ranked third in overall vehicle dependability and highest among mass-market brands with a score of 116 problems per 100 vehicles.

Other findings in the study included Fiat being identified as the most improved brand, with its owners reporting 106 fewer problems per 100 cars over 2017 than they did over 2016. Enditem