It so bad, it's a running joke [1] I think low-end Fords (i.e. simple) are the only US car I'd consider and even then, their transmissions are suspect.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSBsq6HBBzw

Given the angle of the original Consumer Reports study that the USA Today article is about, it wouldn't appear as simple as your comment suggests.