WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. --- Buick has tied with Lexus to rank highest among nameplates in vehicle dependability -- marking the first time in 12 years that another brand has tied with Lexus for the highest-rank position, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Vehicle Dependability Study released this month. The study, which measured problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old (2004 model year) vehicles, found that Buick and Lexus tied for the top rank position with a score of 145 problems per 100 vehicles. Following in the top five rankings were Cadillac, Mercury and Honda, respectively. "With three non-premium nameplates -- Buick, Honda and Mercury -- ranking within the top five, and particularly with Buick tying with Lexus for the top rank, consumers seeking a vehicle with strong dependability have good choices at various price levels," said Neal Oddes, director of product research and analysis for J.D. Power and Associates. "Consumers don't necessarily need to pay premium prices to obtain high quality and dependability."