J.D. Power's 2010 China Vehicle Dependability Study gave Japanese models top grades in five out of eight product segments.

The study measured problems experienced by vehicle owners between the 13th and 36th months of ownership. A vehicle's overall dependability is determined by the number of problems reported per 100 vehicles.

In 2010, the average car model in China generated 298 problems per 100 vehicles.

Engines and transmissions generated the largest number of problems - 71 per 100 vehicles - while the vehicle exterior category generated 53 problems.

The most frequent problems reported by customers were noisy brakes, loss of engine power when the air conditioning was turned on, defective windshield wipers and excessive wind noise.

Up to 49 percent of owners said they replaced vehicle components within the past six months. The five most often replaced components are windshield wiper blades, tires, brake pads, exterior lights and horns.

J.D. Power's dependability study - its first in China - is based on evaluations from 10,672 owners of vehicles purchased between June 2007 and August 2009. The study evaluated 94 models from 38 different brands.

Top models ranked by problems per 100 vehicles:

Compact segment: Chevrolet Spark, 261
Segment average: 362

Premium Compact: Suzuki Swift, 220
Segment average: 255

Entry midsize segment: Hyundai Accent, 178
Segment average: 279

Midsize segment: Nissan Sylphy, 181
Segment average: 276

Upper premium midsize segment: Nissan Teana, 163
Segment average: 231

Luxury segment: Audi A6L, 151
Segment average: 153

SUV segment: Toyota RAV4, 109
Segment average: 209

MPV segment: Honda Odyssey, 178
Segment average: 288