Each year, J.D. Power and Associates release their findings on the overall dependability of three-year old vehicles sold in the States. The 2012 Dependability Study polled some 31,000 owners of 2009 model-year vehicles measuring problems they experienced in the past 12 months.

To understand the numbers you see listed below, the “overall dependability” is determined by the level of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score translating to higher quality.

In this year’s study, J.D. Powers found that overall vehicle dependability improved substantially as the industry average was 132 problems per 100 vehicles, representing a 13 percent improvement from last year (151 PP100), while it’s also the lowest problem rate since the survey began in 1990.

“Despite facing immense challenges in 2009, automakers placed a keen focus on delivering outstanding levels of quality, which they understood would be essential to their long-term success,” said David Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power and Associates.

“Three years later, owners of these models are enjoying unprecedented levels of vehicle dependability and manufacturers are experiencing market recovery,” he added.

From the 32 brands included in the survey, 25 improved their scores. Lexus topped the list with 86 problems per 100 vehicles, followed by Porsche with 98, Cadillac with 104, Toyota with 104, and Scion with 111. Furthermore, the Lexus LS had the fewest problems in the industry with 72 PP100.

MINI and Scion posted the greatest improvements from 2011, by 60 PP100 and 55 PP100, respectively.

On the other side of the spectrum, the Chrysler Group once again flopped taking the last four places with the most problems per 100 vehicles (Chrysler 192, Dodge 183, Jeep 179 and Ram 174).

Model-wise, the Toyota Group garnered the most segment awards (eight) for the Lexus ES 350 (tied with the Lincoln MKZ); Lexus RX 350; Scion tC; Scion xB; Toyota Prius; Toyota Sienna; Toyota Tundra; and Toyota Yaris.

Ford was able to win three segments with the Ford Explorer (tied with the Nissan Murano), Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKX (in a tie).

For more details, scroll down for the complete rankings.

J.D. POWER 2012 RANKINGS