Car repairs can add up quickly over time, which is why those shopping for a vehicle need to consider cars that don't have to be sent in to the shop every few months. Consumer Reports recently revealed the results of their annual reliability survey, which details the brands that have the least number of problems.
The big news this year was Ford tumbling out of the top 10, falling all the way to 20th overall. The new MyFord Touch system is blamed for many of the problems that drivers reported, as it appears the touchscreen controls could use some work.
"Ford took a big drop with their new cars," David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Automotive Test Center, told Bloomberg News. "They have been on a roll over the past five years. They need to get a handle on some of their new technologies."
Japanese brands performed well overall, with Toyota's youth-oriented Scion brand named as the most reliable. Lexus, Acura, Honda, Mazda and Toyota itself were also in the top 10. Luxury brands did not do as well, with Audi, Porsche and Jaguar all toward the bottom of the list.
Besides buying a reliable model, another way to avoid auto repairs is to keep up with your car maintenance, prioritizing things such as oil changes and tire rotation.