Buick, Jag J.D. Power Most Dependable: Lexus toppled after 14 years

Buick and Jaguar sit atop J.D. Power and Associates' 2009 Vehicle Dependability chart, breaking the 14-year rule of Lexus, a brand built upon its legendary workmanship and dependability.

The challenge by Buick and Jaguar began three years ago, as the study focuses on the total number of problems experienced with 2006 models. Original owners of both Buicks and Jaguars reported 122 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) from a list of 202 specified problem areas. Buick has ranked in the Top 10 for the past five years.

Despite slipping to third in the standings with 126 PP100, Lexus models still topped four categories in the Power's study with the GX 470, the LS 430, the SC 430 and the ES 330 (tie). The Buick LaCrosse was the top-ranked mid-sized sedan.

Toyota - fourth in Power’s overall rankings at 129 PP100 - captured five individual categories with its wide ranging model lines. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury also placed four individual models atop categories with the Mercury brand nailing down 5th in the overall standings with 134 PP100. Lincoln was eighth (147 PP100).

In all, seventeen automakers scored above the industry average in PP100.

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