J.D. Power and Associates 2012 IQS Highlights

"Vehicle manufacturers posted the strongest improvement in initial quality since 2009 and are producing higher-quality vehicles than ever before", according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 U.S. Initial Quality Study. 

• Overall initial quality for the industry improves by 5 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) to average 102 PP100 in 2012--an improvement of 5 percent from 2011. 
• Of the 34 brands ranked in the 2012 IQS, 26 have improved from 2011, five have declined, one scores the same as in 2011 and two were not included in the 2011 study. 
• Of the 185 models ranked in both the 2012 and 2011 IQS, 65 percent have improved. Lexus Is the highest-ranked nameplate for a second consecutive year.

Top Vehicle Category Winners:

Toyota: Toyota Yaris & Corolla, Lexus LS, ES 350 & RX
General Motors: Chevrolet Malibu, Cadillac Escalade, GMC Sierra LD & Buick Enclave.
Nissan:  Infiniti M-Series, Infiniti EX-Series, Nissan Frontier & Quest
Ford: Mustang, Taurus & Expedition
Other category winners: Mazda MX-5 Miata, Volvo C70, Porsche 911, Honda CR-V & Kia Soul.

Nameplate      PP100     
              2012  / 2011 / 2010
Lexus       73  /  73  /  88
Jaguar      75  / 114  /  130
Porsche    75  /  100  /  83
Cadillac     80 /  103  /  111
Honda      83  /  86  /  95
Acura       84  /  89  /  86
Infiniti       84  / 102  /  107
Toyota      88  / 101  /  117
Mercedes  96  /  94  /  87
BMW        97  /  109  /  113
Mazda      97  / 100   /  114
GMC         99  /  104  /  126
Nissan       99  /  117  /  111
Ram          99  /  114  /  110
Chevrolet  100  /  109  /  111
Ind. Avg.   102  /  107 /  109
Audi         105  /  113  /  111
Buick        106  /  114  /  114
Hyundai    107  /  108  /  102
Kia          107  / 113  /  126
Lincoln     107  /  111  /  106
Volvo       108  / 109  /  109
Subaru     110  /  108  /  121
Jeep         115 /  122  / 129
Suzuki      116 /  136  /  122
Chrysler    116  / 110  /  122
Scion        117  /  123  /  114
Ford          118  / 116  /  93
Land Rover  119  /  123  /  170
Dodge        124  /  137  /  130    
Mitsubishi   124  /  133  /  146
Volkswagen  124  / 131  /  135
MINI           139  /  131  /  133
Fiat            151
smart         151

Courtesy of J.D. Power and Associates