Consumer Reports names most reliable cars

• Base price: $18,950
• EPA Fuel economy: 53 City / 46 Hwy
• Overall recommended: No

Consumer Reports' latest survey of auto reliability reveals that Ford, which had been steadily rising in the magazine's dependability rankings for years, has shifted into reverse. Ford (F) now ranks second-to-last among all automakers, according to the magazine's subscribers and Web site users.

Meanwhile readers say that Japanese automakers -- Toyota in particular -- are once again making the most dependable cars and trucks.

"We listen closely and value feedback on our vehicles -- whether it's from customers or third parties, such as Consumer Reports," Ford Motor Co. said in a statement. The carmaker also noted that Consumer Reports' results don't include two of Ford's most popular models, the Fusion sedan and Escape SUV, because they were too recently redesigned.

The small Toyota Prius C is, in fact, the most dependable car of all, according to Consumer Reports. While that's good news for Toyota, the ranking doesn't mean Consumer Reports' car testers are recommending it. Despite being dependable, the magazine just doesn't think it's a very good car.

There is some good news for Detroit in the survey, though. General Motors has improved in dependability and GM's luxury division, Cadillac, is now better than average.

Consumer Reports "predicted reliability" survey covers about 1.2 million individual vehicles.

NEXT: Wagons - Toyota Venza (4-cyl.)