Toyota Still High Quality

DETROIT — Japan's Toyota won top honors in eight categories of a closely watched vehicle dependability study, more than any other company, while mainstream brands closed in on luxury nameplates, J.D. Power and Associates said Wednesday.

Lexus, Toyota's luxury brand, was the top-ranked nameplate for the 12th consecutive year. It was followed by Ford's Mercury and GM's Buick and Cadillac. Land Rover, owned by Ford, was last.

This year's survey questioned 47,620 original owners of 2003 model-year cars and trucks.

On average, vehicle owners reported 227 problems per 100 vehicles this year, 10 fewer than last year. The study gives all problems equal weight; the most common ones reported were wind noise and loud brakes.