Japanese brands show 'nicks'

0 Comments | USA TODAY, October, 2005 | by Sharon Silke Carty

DETROIT -- Consumer Reports' annual reliability survey, released Wednesday, challenges the belief that Japanese cars are generally made better than domestic vehicles.

Vehicles that Nissan makes at its new plant in Mississippi -- the Quest minivan, Armada SUV, Titan pickup and Infiniti QX56 SUV -- are among the 48 least-reliable cars and trucks sold, the survey found. The redesigned Toyota Avalon was rated with average reliability, lower than any of Toyota's other cars. The Acura RL, made by Honda, and the Honda Odyssey were also rated average.

"One time you would consider buying a Japanese car because you'd get excellent reliability, but now you're starting to see some nicks in the armor," says David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' auto test center....