For the first time, global market research firm JD Power has ranked three models of Maruti -- WagonR, Zen and Esteem -- at the top in terms of quality even as customers faced more problems in the industry this year compared to the last year.

In the compact car category, Maruti's WagonR topped the list followed by Zen while Hyundai Santro, which ranked first in terms of quality for the past two consecutive years, came in third, JD Power said in its initial quality study.

Tata Motors' Indica and Fiat Palio finished at fourth and fifth positions, respectively.

MUL's Esteem was adjudged the best car in the mid size segment while General Motors' Opel Corsa/Swing and Ford Ikon came in at second and third positions, respectively.

Opel Corsa/Swing was the most improved model in the category, the study said.

Honda City has been ranked the best in the new mid size segment followed by Hindustan Motors' Lancer and Hyundai Accent while Toyota's Qualis stood first in the multi-utility vehicle category.

"Quality is a constantly moving target and while the industry has made considerable progress over the last five years...it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain the rate of improvement we have been seeing," JD Power country manager Mohit Arora said, adding surging sales often put pressure on quality control.

The survey was based on evaluation from over 3,300 new owners of 26 different models representing 11 makes, JD Power said.