"Consumer Reports ranks Toyota, Lexus most reliable, Mercedes worst"

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The way that it works is that CR only uses the results of a model if they have enough survey returns for a given model. This applies to all manufacturer's models. In the case of Mercedes, they only received enough survey returns for two Mercedes models. What this tells me is that either most Mercedes owners do not subscribe to CR, or, most Mercedes owners that do subscribe do not take the time and trouble to fill out a survey.
CR does not specify which models they are basing their rating on. My guess is that, in the case of Mercedes, they are likely the two cheapest models, which also happens to be the two least reliable and most trouble-prone Mercedes models. If the E-Class were included the results would likely be different. In the case of BMW, the cheapest models tend to be just as reliable, and maybe MORE reliable (which has traditionally been the case), than the higher-end models.

I suspect you have a valid point. MB top 2021 sellers were, in order: GLE, C-class, GLC, GLB The less expensive models are Mercedes least reliable. Not sure about the GLE.
 
CR and the others are fine (and valuable) for what they are. Their data is limited, incomplete and their source is a captured group.
Their results are pretty scattered YOY, which makes little sense in a slowly changing, mature manufacturing envirornment.
 
I think all manufacturers are in a race to the bottom where cost minimization and profit maximization are the only goals. Quality doesn't have to be good, just better than most other manufacturers. If all the manufacturers on that list are bad, all you have to do to be at the top is the least bad.
 
One time I followed CR recommendations buying one of their top rated robot vacuums, 2 years later it was ready for the junk pile with no replacement battery or parts available for the thing. It did not live a hard life either mainly just vacuuming hard floors 3-4x per month.

I think their survey results are a good data point to consider when purchasing but I also think folks should also consider their own independent research (hello Google) from other sources to come to an informed purchasing decision.
 
The problem I've always had with consumer reports is that the system in which they rate issues is flawed, whether it is cars or snowblowers. They should really have two categories, usability issues and actual reliability problems. I remember seeing an article years ago where a particular car with a quirky infotainment system was rated really low since more people surveyed had that issue, while a car with a more significant transmission programming problem and actual reliability issues was ranked higher since it was not as frequent among their statistics.
 
When I was a kid (80s), I loved when my dad's CR auto edition came so I could see all the new model year vehicles. When I was older/buying cars I always relied on it for objective reliability data. The downside of it is that reliability, while important, isn't the only important thing about buying vehicles for me. Futher, define "reliability"...for me that means "my car starts when I start it and it doesn't require towing". But I understand that even minor things that go wrong that require a dealer visit to many folks makes a vehicle..."unreliable". I like VWs so clearly, CR's reliability ratings mean f-all to me AHAHAHAAHAH

The one that sticks out is my '13 Focus. Terrible reliability ratings, "don't buy", etc. Well...that was if you chose the DCT trans which was in-fact...hot garbage. If you like me got the meek/reliable 5-spd, well....that car at nearly 10 years old/120K is the lowest cost to own car I've ever owned.

CR isn't the end-all-be-all of info to buy cars...it's a data point. If you enjoy actually driving the car and the overall ownership experience, there are other info sources out there...."Welp...was going to grab a Porsche 911 but CR says to avoid....I'll just settle in on that 4 cylinder Camry then."
 
CR had its time before the internet really took over. Now if you are researching new cars there are video reviews all over the place. Some are good and some not. It’s up to the individual to discern.

Another source I have used are the forum discussions for brands. Interested in a new Toyota? There are a lot of forums that can reveal the good and the bad. If a certain brand has lots of threads on engine failures then that would be a red flag.
 
CR had its time before the internet really took over. Now if you are researching new cars there are video reviews all over the place. Some are good and some not. It’s up to the individual to discern.

Another source I have used are the forum discussions for brands. Interested in a new Toyota? There are a lot of forums that can reveal the good and the bad. If a certain brand has lots of threads on engine failures then that would be a red flag.
Forums and Facebook groups are great but still....have to keep in mind all the owners that got up and drove XYZ car today and didn't have any issues didn't post about it but the one that did have an issue will post about it and all the others will chime in making something that actually isn't super common seem like "they all do this".
 
Forums and Facebook groups are great but still....have to keep in mind all the owners that got up and drove XYZ car today and didn't have any issues didn't post about it but the one that did have an issue will post about it and all the others will chime in making something that actually isn't super common seem like "they all do this".


One definitely has to weed out the drive by posts. I look for trends.
 
One definitely has to weed out the drive by posts. I look for trends.
Yes but my point was...the sample population is inherently biased so even trends may not be trends if that makes sense. But yes, it gives you some things to look at. It's why I didn't buy the DCT on the Focus I mentioned in my post....easily saw that as a common issue on forums.
 
My observation of Toyota owners is that they think that whatever happens to their vehicles is normal.
Based on my experience with Toyota, it should not be in the middle, let alone top.


Only thing this survey shows is that lots of readers of CR, drives Toyota.
Wait...aren’t you the guy that owned a Toyota Sienna and opened your tailgate into your bike rack (or something)...ruined your tailgate...then were quoted thousands to repair...decided to have some dude down the street “fix it” for $500 bucks, a ratchet and some spray paint. Thing never closed right again. Blamed to Toyota. And now you’re an expert on Toyota? Isn’t that you?

Oh, and didn’t you feel that your brakes were “squishy”...decided to replace your brake booster. And that must mean all Toyota’s suck? I remember this because you’ve repeated this stuff several times, here, and actually on Toyota forums. 🤣🤣 You are the official BMW spokesperson of the internet, and avid Toyota basher. So, you’re experience is HEAVILY FLAWED. Sorry.

None of this^^^ is normal. What might be “normal” is a Toyota owner driving their Toyota 300,000/400,000/500,000 plus, miles with minimal repair. That might be normal, because it’s actually happening. I’m 110,000 miles into my ownership of my 2016 Toyota Avalon. Repairs=0. Nothing. Not one single misfire, check engine light, rattle, squeak, oil usuals, failure. Nada. I also (beside my own ownership experience), work in the auto industry. I see cars everyday. I see the repairs, the failures. Toyota is the most reliable brand that I have ever seen. Most fun to own and drive?? Not by a long shot (although not having to fix a car is fun). They are appliances. But very reliable ones (compared to others). This is not opinion, this is fact.
 
Wait...aren’t you the guy that owned a Toyota Sienna and opened your tailgate into your bike rack (or something)...ruined your tailgate...then were quoted thousands to repair...decided to have some dude down the street “fix it” for $500 bucks, a ratchet and some spray paint. Thing never closed right again. Blamed to Toyota. And now you’re an expert on Toyota? Isn’t that you?

Oh, and didn’t you feel that your brakes were “squishy”...decided to replace your brake booster. And that must mean all Toyota’s suck? I remember this because you’ve repeated this stuff several times, here, and actually on Toyota forums. 🤣🤣 You are the official BMW spokesperson of the internet, and avid Toyota basher. So, you’re experience is HEAVILY FLAWED. Sorry.

None of this^^^ is normal. What might be “normal” is a Toyota owner driving their Toyota 300,000/400,000/500,000 plus, miles with minimal repair. That might be normal, because it’s actually happening. I’m 110,000 miles into my ownership of my 2016 Toyota Avalon. Repairs=0. Nothing. Not one single misfire, check engine light, rattle, squeak, oil usuals, failure. Nada. I also (beside my own ownership experience), work in the auto industry. I see cars everyday. I see the repairs, the failures. Toyota is the most reliable brand that I have ever seen. Most fun to own and drive?? Not by a long shot (although not having to fix a car is fun). They are appliances. But very reliable ones (compared to others). This is not opinion, this is fact.
Yes, he is that guy. He has been bashing Toyota products and insulting their owners relentlessly for several years, yet, after he sold his "terrible" Sienna, he ordered a new one. Go figure.
 
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