Consumer Reports Ranks 15 Car Brands by Reliability

Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids face 80% more issues than gas-powered cars, based on Consumer Reports’ survey of 380,000 vehicles from model years 2000 to 2025. Owners cite battery failures, charging glitches, climate system breakdowns, and build quality flaws, casting doubt on rapid electrification goals as seven of the ten least reliable models fall into these categories.

Toyota Reclaims the Top Spot

Toyota leads with a reliability score of 65 out of 100, surpassing Subaru and Lexus. The brand placed 20 models above average, highlighted by the redesigned 4Runner SUV’s top score of 95. This performance underscores Toyota’s engineering consistency amid shifting industry trends.

Subaru and Lexus Hold Strong

Subaru ranks second at 64, down one spot from last year, yet its Impreza sedan tops all models at 80, with the Crosstrek close behind at third overall. Lexus takes third at an unspecified score but dominates luxury brands for the third year running, with nine models above average. Its ES sedan scores 84, and even the NX plug-in hybrid hits average, dodging the pitfalls seen in rivals’ electrified lineups.

Honda and BMW Shine in Mid-Pack

Honda secures fourth at 59, with seven models above average, including the Passport’s near-perfect 97—the survey’s second-highest. The CR-V, Civic, and Accord uphold long-standing dependability. BMW climbs to fifth at 57, the top European brand for the second year, as all its models reach average or better, led by the X5 SUV at 73.

Nissan, Acura, and Buick Advance

Nissan jumps six spots to sixth at 54, with the Kicks SUV leading at 76 and the Murano at average. Acura, Honda’s luxury arm, lands seventh at 53, with all models average or above and the Integra at 56. Buick holds eighth at 52 as the top U.S. brand for eight years, boasting the industry’s lowest projected ten-year ownership costs.

Tesla and Kia Enter Top Ten

Tesla vaults from 17th to ninth at 50, its biggest gain, with the Model Y as the most reliable EV, showing manufacturing maturity. Kia rounds out tenth at 48, where the Carnival Hybrid minivan scores a category-leading 72, though its EVs lag below 25 due to battery and charging woes.

Ford Improves, Hyundai Stumbles

Ford hits 11th at 47—its best in 15 years—thanks to F-150 upgrades lifting all variants to average. Hyundai slips to 12th at 46, with gas and hybrids solid but EVs hampered by a faulty Integrated Charging Control Unit shared with Kia and Genesis, risking propulsion loss.

Lower Ranks Highlight Struggles

Audi drops to 13th at 45, hit by Q4 e-tron issues in climate, electronics, batteries, and charging. Mazda crashes to 14th at 43 from severe CX-90 and CX-70 problems like timing chain failures and engine replacements. Volvo ends the top 15 at 42, dragged by XC-90 plug-in hybrid glitches in batteries, motors, and electronics.

Hybrids Prove Most Dependable

Traditional hybrids report 15% fewer problems than gas cars, refined over nearly three decades. Consumer Reports’ senior auto testing director Jake Fisher noted the technology as “tried and true” versus nascent EV systems. Stellantis brands dominate the bottom: Rivian (26th, 20), Ram (25th, 26), Jeep (24th, 28), GMC (23rd, 31), and Chrysler (22nd, 33), with Jeep earning worst marks in reliability, road tests, and satisfaction for three years.

Survey methods cover 20 trouble areas, weighted by severity and cost, from member reports on the past year.

Buyers gain most from established Asian brands, conventional hybrids over plug-ins, and avoiding debut-year models. Brand track records better predict satisfaction than powertrain type, with Toyota claiming six of the top ten spots and notable cost savings.

As electrification accelerates, reliability gaps signal high stakes: hybrids offer a proven bridge, while EV refinements could reshape ownership economics and consumer trust in coming years.