Aug 27, 2014 01:30 PM EDT
Automotive Customer Satisfaction Drops Again in U.S.

Domestic automakers are narrowing the gap with their overseas rivals when it comes to customer satisfaction.

Mercedes-Benz finished atop a new U.S. customer satisfaction survey released this week, followed by Subaru and Lexus, respectively.

Buick was the only domestic automaker to rank above the industry average in the American Customer Satisfaction Index, according to the report.

"Imports retain a significant advantage in driver satisfaction," the report said.

Automakers like Chrysler, Ford, Hyundai, and Nissan all tied with a score just below the industry average.

Cadillac's score fell 6 percent compared to last year's results.

Audi, Acura, Dodge, and Jeep rounded out the bottom of the rankings. Acura finished last, according to the report.

"Customer satisfaction with automakers is down for a second straight year," the report's authors said in a statement. "The only brands to improve are domestic: Chevrolet and Buick."

Approximately 4,360 people were surveyed by researchers by telephone and e-mail this past spring. Customers who chose to participate were asked to evaluate their experience with a recent vehicle purchase.

The performance of automakers like Buick and Chevrolet are interesting since General Motors has dealt with more recalls in 2014 than any year before. The recalls have had an overall negative effect on customer satisfaction, according to the study.

"Car owners who had at least one recall in the past year rate their vehicle 6 percent lower than those who did not experience a recall," the report pointed out.

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