DETROIT, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Consumer Reports said Tuesday product reliability from U.S. automakers Ford Motor Co. and General Motors slipped this year in their annual vehicle rankings.
The magazine said Ford's new automatic transmission in the Fiesta and Focus models and the MyFordTouch on board communication and entertainment system contributed to its problems.
Ford dropped "10 notches" from 2010's ranking to this year's, The Detroit News reported.
"Ford's problems illustrate why we recommend to our subscribers to hold off on buying a first-year model," said David Champion, senior director for Consumer Report's automotive test center.
For GM, troubles came from less-than-stellar reliability ratings for the Buick Regal and Chevrolet Cruze.
The Chevrolet Avalanche and Cadillac CTS were given above-average scores.
Among major U.S. automakers, that leaves Chrysler, where reliability improved.
The Chrysler 200, which replaces the Sebring, the Dodge Durango and the Jeep Cherokee SUV all did better than a year ago.
Mazda moved up eight notches from a year earlier. Toyota Motor Co. held its sixth place position, the News said.
Among European brands, Volvo was ranked 10th and Volkswagen AG ranked 16th overall.
