Fiat ranks last 2015 American Consumer Satisfaction Index

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The 2015 American Consumer Satisfaction Index was based on a survey of 4,300 drivers

By Associated Press and Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: 23:05 EST, 24 August 2015 | Updated: 09:57 EST, 25 August 2015

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Americans are stereotyped as loving all things supersized, so perhaps its no surprise that one of the smallest cars in the country is also the most unpopular.

According to the 2015 American Consumer Satisfaction Index, an annual survey that involved 4,300 consumers, drivers are most unsatisfied with Italian car company Fiat - the maker of the pint-sized Fiat 500.

Fiat and Chrysler merged in 2014, and are behind many of the others cars at the bottom of this year's rankings including Jeep and Dodge.

Failing: Italian automaker Fiat has come in at the bottom of this year's American Consumer Satisfaction Index

One of the factors that seems to have been most responsible for American's dissatisfaction is the rise of auto recalls.

The survey found that satisfaction with automobiles dropped for the third straight year to the lowest level since 2004. High new-car prices also were a factor.

'While it is true that all cars are now much better than they were 10 to 20 years ago, it is alarming that so many of them have quality problems,' said Claes Fornell, chairman and founder of the survey.

Last year automakers recalled a record 64 million vehicles for problems such as exploding air bags and ignition switches that can unexpectedly cause engines to stall.

The problems can be deadly. So far General Motors has agreed to compensate families of 124 people who died in crashes caused by the faulty switches. Eight more people have died worldwide after being cut by shrapnel from exploding Takata air bag inflators.

Rising prices also contributed to the consumer frustration. Car prices are up 11 percent since 2010 and hit records all year, rising to an average $32,932 in July, according to the Edmunds.com auto website.

The index's automobile satisfaction score this year dropped nearly 4 percent to 79 out of 100. In 2004, the last time the score was that low, the industry set the previous annual record for recalled vehicles at 30.8 million.

Of the 27 brands tracked in the index, 15 saw their satisfaction scores decline, while only Acura and BMW improved.

Foreign-based brands led the survey, with Toyota's Lexus luxury brand on top at 84, followed by Acura, Lincoln and Mercedes-Benz, tied at 83. BMW, Subaru, Toyota, Hyundai, Buick and Cadillac rounded out the top 10. Fiat Chrysler's Fiat brand had the lowest satisfaction score at 73.