BELOW AVERAGE.

That’s where Consumer Reports puts the new Toyota Camry and the four wheel drive model of the new Toyota Tundra.  That means both models are off the recommended list at CR.  The magazine does not recommend vehicles with below average reliability ratings.

Moreover, the magazine has announced that it will no longer recommend Toyota products without reliability data on the specific model and design.  In the past, the magazine was – despite its reputation as a publication based on research – simply willing to recommend a Toyota on faith, based on past reputation.  No more.

The latest quality and reliability rankings from Consumer Reports confirms what J. D. Powers has been saying: Toyota’s quality and reliability is slipping – badly.
   
But, Ford, on the other hand, is improving – a lot.  Of 44 Ford models rated, 41 – 93% - rated average or better than average in reliability and the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and F-150 pick up with the V-6 engine were rated the “most reliable” in their respective classes.
   
Even better for Ford, it’s new products were rated highly.  The Edge and Lincoln MKX, as well as the Expedition and Navigator, all ranked average or above average.
   
Lexus took a hit along with its parent.  The all wheel drive Lexus GS was rated below average in reliability.  Though there was some solace for Toyota - the four cylinder and hybrid Camry’s rated above average, as did the rear drive Lexus GS – other Asian marques also scored poorly.  The Hundai Entourage, Nisan QX56, Nissan Armada, Quest, and Titan, and the Maxda CX-7 all made the “least reliable” list.
   
News wasn’t entirely good for domestic brands, either.  The Tahoe and Yukon made by GM had a lower reliability rating than previous models, and the least reliable list included 13 GM products, six from Chrysler, but only one from Ford.