Japanese automakers continue to dominate Consumer Reports annual auto reliability rankings but there are some cracks that show used car reliability for some stalwarts is not what it used to be.

The report, released in late October in Detroit by the Yonkers, N.Y. based non-profit, showed for more than a decade, Japanese brands have had a lock on most of the top spots in the survey. That's true again this year with three Japanese brands, Lexus, Toyota, and Acura capturing the top three spots in the survey, which was conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.

The survey is believed to be the largest of its kind; findings are based on CR subscribers’ experiences with 1.1 million vehicles. Consumer Reports uses the survey data to compile reliability histories on vehicles and predict how well new cars that are currently on sale will hold up.

Japanese brands took seven out of the 10 top spots in the survey, according to a news release from Consumer Reports. As a group, the nine Japanese brands in the survey still produce a remarkable number of reliable cars. Of the almost 100 models, 90 percent were average or better and almost a third of them received top marks. Ten of those highest scorers were Toyotas. Of the eight Lexus models in CR’s survey, six got top marks.

All Lexus and Acura models earned an above average reliability score while all Infiniti, Mazda, and Toyota models earned an average or better reliability score.

Poor Nissan Reliability

One surprise in the survey is how poorly Nissan is faring, especially in light of how much of its manufacturing has moved to the United States.

Nissan sank to 22nd among the 28 brands in the rankings.

Two popular models, the redesigned 2013 Honda Accord V6 and the 2013 Nissan Altima, scored too poorly in the survey for Consumer Reports to continue recommending them. Last year, CR had predicted that both vehicles would have at least average reliability.

Ford is another manufacturer not faring well in the Consumer Reports reliability study (yet its products continue to sell well). Of the 31 Ford models in Consumer Reports’ survey, only one, the F-150 pickup with the 3.7-liter V6, was above average. Seven achieved an average score. Ford’s challenges don’t end with the historically problematic My-Touch systems. Several EcoBoost turbocharged V6 models have poor reliability as well. Almost two-thirds of the 34 Fords and Lincolns in the survey got scores that were much worse than average.

Inboard Electronics

Beware any used car that has fancy electronics in it. According to Consumer Reports, one of the key problem areas in its survey centers on in-car electronics, including the proliferating suite of audio, navigation, communication, and connected systems in newer cars. Of the 17 problem areas CR asks about, the category including in-car electronics generated more complaints from owners of 2013 models than for any other category. (It's a complaint common to 2012 and 2011 models, too. Make sure you thoroughly check out vehicle electronics before purchasing a used car.)

In many cases, the survey revealed touch-screen infotainment systems have been buggy, with frustrating screen freezes, touch-control lag, or a reluctance to recognize a cell-phone, an MP3 device, or a voice command.

EVs & Hybrids

Hybrids and electric cars continue to do well. The Toyota Prius, Lexus ES 300h, Toyota Prius C, and Honda CR-Z hybrids, as well as the Nissan Leaf electric car, were among the top models. Ford’s C-Max and Fusion hybrids were the only exceptions.

The Tesla Model S electric car performed well enough in the survey to earn a Recommendation from CR for the first time. CR gathered data on more than 600 2012 and 2013 models. Owners of the 2012 model reported very few problems, although 2013 owners reported quite a few more. Problem areas included wind noise, squeaks and rattles, and body hardware (including the sunroof, doors, and locks).

Older Korean models from Kia and Hyundai are going to be better options than buying new based on the report. In recent years, Hyundai and Kia were beginning to challenge the Japanese at the top of Consumer Reports’ reliability rankings. In 2011, they scored well ahead of Detroit and most European companies. But they slipped a bit in the 2013 survey, with Kia ranking midpack and Hyundai sliding to 21st place.

Consumer Reports is the world’s largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, Website and other publications. Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.