WASHINGTON — U.S. automakers have surpassed imported brands for the first time in a survey that measures the quality of new cars and trucks.

J.D. Power and Associates said today that owners of domestic cars reported fewer problems on average during the first 90 days of ownership than foreign cars and trucks.

It marks the first time that has happened in the 24 years the industry research group has conducted the annual quality study.

J.D. Power said Ford showed some of the biggest gains in quality among individual brands, moving into the fifth spot. Porsche was the top scorer. Toyota, which has suffered through huge safety recalls earlier this year, saw its score drop.

"Domestic automakers have made impressive strides in steadily improving vehicle quality," said David Sargent, J.D. Power's vice president of global research.