Although Japanese brands still dominated Consumer Reports' annual ranking for predicted reliability, the editors say Ford Motor is making such strides that it has pulled well ahead of its Detroit rivals.

And after a weaker-than-usual showing last year, Toyota bounced back. "The Japanese manufacturers still own the top of the charts," said Consumer Reports' auto editor David Champion. "They've built their reputation on reliability."

A top score is coveted by automakers because of the non-profit, independent nature of Consumers Union, the magazine's publisher. Predicted reliability is based on a survey of subscribers on 1.4 million vehicles they own or lease. Data is based on three years of the model unless it's been out fewer years.

Japanese products held the top spots for predicted reliability of 2009 models in each of the vehicle categories. Japanese or Korean brands held the top 10 spots in the separate ranking of full brand lines. To-yota's Scion scored a double: best brand overall, and its xD model was the top small car.

"The recognition is especially gratifying since the xD launched last year as an all-new model," said Toyota spokesman Xavier Dominicis. "We have redoubled our efforts around quality."

A Ford brand didn't make the top 10, but Lincoln was 11, Mercury 15 and Ford 17, and editors said the company is making big strides. When lower-ranking, truck-based models are excluded, Ford rivals the top Japanese products, Champion said.

Ford officials say they are pleased.

"Our quality is on par with the best in the world, including Toyota and Honda," said Bennie Fowler, Ford's senior vice president for global quality.

Ford has worked hard to improve quality, from the design stage to production, he added. Among the changes: Warranty repairs at dealerships are reported to headquarters within 48 hours, allowing teams to look for patterns and fix problems before more units are made.

Consumers Reports cited Chrysler as Detroit's worst. Nearly two-thirds of its cars rate below-average in reliability.

"We are disappointed," said Chrysler spokeswoman Beverly Thacker. "We know we have to improve, and that's what we're doing on a daily basis."