SEOUL, KOREA- The brand reliability of Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors slipped in the U.S. market. According to the “2013 Automobile Brand Reliability Survey” conducted by the U.S. consumer magazine Consumer Report, Hyundai Motor was positioned at No. 21, down four notches from a year ago, while Kia Motors fell six steps to No. 16.After being positioned at No. 11 and No. 13 in 2010 in terms of brand reliability, Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors saw their ranks continue to fall thereafter.

Following a lawsuit against “exaggerated fuel efficiency” in late last year, they have been mired in a string of recalls for major auto models.

In this year’s survey, Japanese brands such as Lexus, Toyota, and Acura swept the top-three spots. Seven out of the top-ten models were Japanese made, including Nissan and Infiniti.