U.S. car-owner sentiment at 11-year low after record recalls

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Surging auto recalls and rising prices contributed to U.S. car owners’ lowest satisfaction rating since 2004, according to an annual survey.

Consumer sentiment slid to 79 out of 100, from 82 last year and the third straight annual decline, the American Customer Satisfaction Index said in a statement Tuesday.

Automakers are under more scrutiny from U.S. regulators after the record recall of about 64 million vehicles last year and more than 36 million so far in 2015. Even so, demand has climbed for new pickups and sport utility vehicles. The industry is flirting with sales levels not seen in more than a decade and average selling prices have jumped 15 percent since before the recession.

Japanese and South Korean brands scored higher than their U.S. and European counterparts, according to the Ann Arbor, Mich.-based company’s survey of about 4,300 customers in the second quarter.

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Toyota Motor Corp.’s Lexus topped the list at 84. Three other luxury marques, Honda Motor Co.’s Acura, Ford Motor Co.’s Lincoln and Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz, tied for second at 83. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV’s brands ranked lowest.

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