Survey: Recalls make Americans less satisfied with cars

DETROIT (AP) -- Americans are less happy with their cars and trucks than at any time in more than a decade, and it's largely because they're getting sick of dealing with recalls.The 2015 American Consumer Satisfaction Index, an annual survey that involved 4,300 consumers, found that satisfaction with automobiles dropped for the third straight year to the lowest level since 2004. High new-car prices also were a factor."While it is true that all cars are now much better than they were 10 to 20 years ago, it is alarming that so many of them have quality problems," said Claes Fornell, chairman and founder of the survey.Last year automakers recalled a record 64 million vehicles for problems such as exploding air bags and ignition switches that can unexpectedly cause engines to stall. The problems can be deadly. So far General Motors has agreed to compensate families of 124 people who died in crashes caused by the faulty switches. Eight more people have died worldwide after being cut by shrapnel from exploding Takata air bag inflators.Rising prices also contributed to the consumer frustration. Car prices are up 11 percent since 2010 and hit records all year, rising to an average $32,932 in July, according to the Edmunds.com auto website.The index's automobile satisfaction score this year dropped nearly 4 percent to 79 out of 100. In 2004, the last time the score was that low, the industry set the previous annual record for recalled vehicles at 30.8 million.Of the 27 brands tracked in the index, 15 saw their satisfaction scores decline, while only Acura and BMW improved.Foreign-based brands led the survey, with Toyota's Lexus luxury brand on top at 84, followed by Acura, Lincoln and Mercedes-Benz, tied at 83. BMW, Subaru, Toyota, Hyundai, Buick and Cadillac rounded out the top 10. Fiat Chrysler's Fiat brand had the lowest satisfaction score at 73.Here's how the brands ranked in this year's survey and the percent change compared with last year:Brand 2014 2015 Percent ChangeAuto industry average 82 79 -4Lexus 84 84 0Acura 77 83 +8Lincoln NM 83 NAMercedes-Benz 86 83 -3BMW 80 82 +3Subaru 85 82 -4Toyota 83 82 -1Hyundai 81 81 0Buick 83 80 -4Cadillac 80 80 0Honda 83 80 -4Mazda 80 80 0Volkswagen 84 80 -5Chevrolet 82 79 -4Ford 81 79 -2Volvo NM 79 NAAudi 79 78 -1GMC 82 78 -5Kia 82 78 -5Infiniti NM 77 NAMitsubishi NM 77 NANissan 81 77 -5Dodge 78 76 -3Mini NM 76 NAAll other brands 81 75 -7Jeep 79 75 -5Chrysler 81 74 -9Fiat NM 73 NANM(equals)Not MeasuredNA(equals)Not Available

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