Here are the results of the 2012 study from J.D. Powers and Associates. The latest study is called 2012 U.S. Initial Quality Study and it measures vehicle quality in a period of 90 days of ownership from new.

The study found that Lexus came in first, averaging 73 PP100, followed by Jaguar and Porsche with 75 PP100 each. Jaguar recorded the largest improvement in the study reducing problems by 39 PP100 and jumping from 20th position to second place. Cadillac (80 PP100) and Honda (83 PP100) complete the top five.

J.D. Powers found that 26 brands from 34 have improved from 2011, and five have declined which includes Ford, Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz, Mini and Subaru.

The Porsche 911 stands out from the rest recording 44 PP100, the least problems since the study was redesigned in 2006.

J.D. Power notes that the year-over-year gains are in most areas of initial quality, with one notable exception, the audio, entertainment, and navigation problems, which have increased by 8 percent from 2011.

"Until recently, this type of sophisticated technology was found primarily on high-end models" said David Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power and Associates. "However, over the past few years it has rapidly found its way into the automotive mainstream. For example, in 2012, more than 80 percent of owners indicate that their new vehicle has some form of hands-free technology," he added.