toledoblade.com --

Even when design and production are weighed separately, Toledo-made Jeep Libertys and Jeep Wranglers still can't break into a vaunted list of top compact sport-utility vehicles based on initial quality.

The Hyundai Tucson topped the annual J.D. Power and Associates initial quality list for compact SUVs, with 103 problems per 100 new vehicles.

The Honda CR-V and Nissan Xterra rounded out the top three in the category for 22 compact SUVs, which averaged 134 problems per 100 vehicles, according to a J.D. Power official.

Although the Liberty fared at about average and was ranked ninth in the compact SUV segment, the Wrangler was below average at No. 15.

Buyers of the two local SUVs complained about wind noise; on the Liberty, brake noise was among problems reported, and for the Wrangler excessive fuel consumption was among the complaints, said Chance Parker, J.D. Power's executive director of product and research analysis.

"They both have different problems," he said.

Buyers of Wrangler noted high fuel consumption.

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The J.D. Power study is considered a widely watched benchmark in the industry.

Dan Henneman, chairman of United Auto Workers Local 12's Toledo Jeep unit, said the Wrangler is notorious for wind noise, a problem being addressed in the redesigned 2007 model. He said other complaints about both SUVs will be taken seriously.

"Anything J.D. Power has a problem with, we try to improve on," he said. "We always try to improve on our quality."

Overall, the Toledo-born Jeep brand had 153 problems per 100 vehicles, far more than the industry average of 124. Still, noted a DaimlerChrysler AG spokesman, Jeep beat out fellow SUV heavyweights Hummer and Land Rover, the latter with 204 problems per 100 vehicles, the worst-rated brand in the survey.

"That's a good sign," said Chrysler spokesman Sam Locricchio.

Automakers watch the J.D. Power survey closely because of its ability to sway buyers. The Westlake Village, Calif., firm surveyed about 63,600 owners of new 2006 model-year cars and light trucks who had their vehicles for 90 days.

For the first time, the study was based on design as well as production quality, so this year's results cannot be fairly compared to those from last year, said Mr. Parker of J.D. Power. The study is in its 20th year.

Among all vehicles this year, the Lexus LS 430 and Porsche Cayman had the fewest quality problems at 76 per 100 vehicles.

Lexus and Toyota models earned the highest honor in 11 of 19 vehicle segments this year, but Porsche captured the top brand ranking with 91 problems per 100 vehicles, according to the survey.

"I certainly think Porsche was a big surprise," said

Mr. Parker, both because the Cayman is a new vehicle and the Porsche Cayenne made large strides over the last couple of years.

Hyundai, Chrysler, Porsche, Kia, Mazda, Pontiac, Chevrolet, and Ford each won one vehicle segment this year.

The Chrysler Town & Country won top honor in the van segment, and the Chrysler brand tied with Acura for 10th place among all brands with 120 problems per 100 vehicles.

Meanwhile, the automaker's Windsor, Ont., plant, where the Town & Country, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Caravan, and Dodge Grand Caravan are built, tied with the Toyota Motor Corp. factory in Georgetown, Ky., for the silver award in the Americas.

All three indicate that strides at Chrysler hopefully will ripple into the Jeep and Dodge brands, the automaker's Mr. Locricchio said.

Brands with the fewest quality-of-production problems, or defects and malfunctions, include BMW, Chrysler, Hyundai, Lexus, Porsche, and Toyota.

Those with the fewest design problems include GMC, Hyundai, Jaguar, Lexus, Nissan, and Porsche, the study found.

Contact Julie M. McKinnon at:
jmckinnon@theblade.com
or 419-724-6087.

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