Oct. 26 (Bloomberg) -- Toyota Motor Corp., the world's second-biggest automaker, dominated Consumer Reports' annual survey of automobile reliability, accounting for 15 of 31 vehicles rated ``most reliable'' by the magazine's readers.

A total of 29 of the cars and trucks given a top score were Japanese brands, Consumer Reports said in a statement today. General Motors Corp., the world's largest automaker, and Ford Motor Co. had one entry each, while DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler had none. No European automakers made the list.

GM, Ford and Chrysler have spent billions of dollars in the last several years to improve factories and produce vehicles with fewer defects as Asian automakers grab more U.S. market share. Through September, domestic automakers' U.S. market share fell 1.2 percentage points to 57.9 percent.

``Toyota is a juggernaut for reliability, but people also frequently give brands with a good reputation the benefit of the doubt even when their vehicles aren't performing well,'' said Jim Sanfilippo, senior industry analyst with Automotive Marketing Consultants in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

The ``most reliable'' list included Toyota's Prius, Corolla, Camry, Matrix, RAV4, Land Cruiser sport-utility vehicles and Tundra pickup truck, the magazine said. Honda Motor Co. had eight vehicles with a top rating, including its Civic, Accord and Ridgeline pickup truck.

Of the 48 cars and trucks predicted to have the worst reliability, 22 were domestic models and 20 European. The vehicles ranked least reliable include a number of luxury models, such as Audi AG's A8, BMW's 7 Series, DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes-Benz S-Class and E-Class, Ford's Jaguar S-Type and GM's Saab 9-3.

Findings

Findings were based on surveys of the magazine's readers. Consumer Reports uses the data along with vehicle tests to decide which models it will recommend that readers buy. Consumer Reports recommends models that have performed well in its own tests and that have shown average or better reliability in the annual survey.

The magazine may also recommend a new or redesigned model too new to have a reliability record if it tests well and if previous generations or the manufacturer have consistently outstanding reliability, Consumer Reports said.

In the 2004 survey, 29 of 32 models ranked the most reliable were Japanese, with Toyota accounting for 16 and Honda seven.

``Toyota builds specifically to match the customers' checklist of quality,'' said Eric Noble, president of Car Lab, an industry consultant in Orange, California. ``If they think a customer is going to see it or notice it, they put cost there.''

Recommended

In addition to GM's one car in the top category, the Chevrolet Monte Carlo sedan, the automaker has 13 2006 models recommended by Consumer Reports, GM spokeswoman Janine Fruehan said.

``Clearly we have more work to do,'' Fruehan said. ``We respect this publication and recognize that buyers use it to help make purchase decision. Our antenna is up.''

Ford's Five Hundred sedan, Mustang V-8 and Mercury Montego were also recommended by the magazine.

``That's a testament to our relentless focus on launch quality,'' Ford spokesman Angie Kozleski said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Barbara Powell in Southfield, Michigan at bpowell4@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: October 26, 2005 19:25 EDT