If we’d known ahead of time whether a car we buy would end up in the shop often, we wouldn’t buy it. While clairvoyance is outside of our scope, Consumer Reports, using data from a member survey, tries to identify the car brands that are at least most likely to break down.
In its Annual Auto Surveys, the product review site ranks and scores car brands based on their predicted reliability. To achieve this score (from 1 to 100), the recent survey relied on data on over 330,000 vehicles, mostly from the 2000 to 2023 model years, and studied 20 trouble areas, from minor nuisances to major problems. The brand reliability score was calculated by averaging results from 2021 to 2023, and some early 2024 data when available.
To find the least reliable car brand in America, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the report, listing here all the brands reviewed from most to least reliable. All other information came from Consumer Reports except for 2023 sales, which came from GoodCarBadCar.
Starting with the most reliable car brands, we find Lexus, Toyota, Mini, Honda, and Acura ranking as the five most reliable brands, in that order. Indeed, Asian automakers continue to lead in reliability (with an average score of 63 out of 100), and by a wide margin. They are followed by European makers (46) and finally domestic manufacturers (39).
The least reliable car brands are Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz, and Rivian, with Volkswagen and Jeep rounding out the bottom five least reliable brands. Chrysler’s Pacifica Hybrid also ranks the lowest, having the worst predicted reliability score of the 197 models CR reviewed. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz’s five models reviewed rank third to 43rd worse in reliability. Rivian’s two models reviewed rank seventh and eighth worst. Volkswagen’s seven models reviewed rank second last to 38th last, and Jeep’s seven models rank no better than 70th worst. (Also see: These New Cars Are Most Likely to Break Down.)
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30. Lexus
- Lexus’s least reliable model: NX (Subcompact luxury-SUV)
- NX’s predicted reliability rank: #98 highest of 197 models examined
- Lexus’s most reliable model: UX (Subcompact luxury-SUV)
- UX’s predicted reliability rank: #8 highest of 197 models examined
- Lexus’s 2023 sales: 320,249 — #17 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: Toyota Motor Corp.
29. Toyota
- Toyota’s least reliable model: Tundra (Full-sized pickup trucks)
- Tundra’s predicted reliability rank: #171 highest of 197 models examined
- Toyota’s most reliable model: 4Runner (Full-sized pickup trucks)
- 4Runner’s predicted reliability rank: #2 highest of 197 models examined
- Toyota’s 2023 sales: 1,888,941 — #2 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: Toyota Motor Corp.
28. Mini
- Mini’s least reliable model: Cooper Countryman (Compact car)
- Cooper Countryman’s predicted reliability rank: #49 highest of 197 models examined
- Mini’s most reliable model: Cooper (Compact car)
- Cooper’s predicted reliability rank: #31 highest of 197 models examined
- Mini’s 2023 sales: 33,497 — #30 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: BMW Group
26 (tied). Acura
- Acura’s least reliable model: Integra (Luxury entry-level cars)
- Integra’s predicted reliability rank: #110 highest of 197 models examined
- Acura’s most reliable model: RDX (Luxury entry-level cars)
- RDX’s predicted reliability rank: #12 highest of 197 models examined
- Acura’s 2023 sales: 145,655 — #22 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: Honda Motor Company
26 (tied). Honda
- Honda’s least reliable model: Passport (Midsized SUVs)
- Passport’s predicted reliability rank: #104 highest of 197 models examined
- Honda’s most reliable model: HR-V (Midsized SUVs)
- HR-V’s predicted reliability rank: #5 highest of 197 models examined
- Honda’s 2023 sales: 1,156,591 — #4 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: Honda Motor Co.
25. Subaru
- Subaru’s least reliable model: Solterra (Electric SUVs)
- Solterra’s predicted reliability rank: #110 highest of 197 models examined
- Subaru’s most reliable model: Crosstrek (Electric SUVs)
- Crosstrek’s predicted reliability rank: #1 highest of 197 models examined
- Subaru’s 2023 sales: 632,083 — #10 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: Subaru Corp.
24. Mazda
- Mazda’s least reliable model: CX-5 (Compact SUVs)
- CX-5’s predicted reliability rank: #47 highest of 197 models examined
- Mazda’s most reliable model: MX-5 Miata (Compact SUVs)
- MX-5 Miata’s predicted reliability rank: #22 highest of 197 models examined
- Mazda’s 2023 sales: 365,044 — #13 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: Mazda Motor Corp.
23. Porsche
- Porsche’s least reliable model: Macan (Luxury compact SUVs)
- Macan’s predicted reliability rank: #49 highest of 197 models examined
- Porsche’s most reliable model: Cayenne (Luxury compact SUVs)
- Cayenne’s predicted reliability rank: #41 highest of 197 models examined
- Porsche’s 2023 sales: 75,427 — #26 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: Volkswagen Group
22. BMW
- BMW’s least reliable model: X7 (Luxury large SUVs)
- X7’s predicted reliability rank: #110 highest of 197 models examined
- BMW’s most reliable model: X5 (Luxury large SUVs)
- X5’s predicted reliability rank: #10 highest of 197 models examined
- BMW’s 2023 sales: 361,654 — #14 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: BMW Group
21. Kia
- Kia’s least reliable model: Sorento (Midsized SUVs 3-row)
- Sorento’s predicted reliability rank: #110 highest of 197 models examined
- Kia’s most reliable model: Sportage Plug-in Hybrid (Midsized SUVs 3-row)
- Sportage Plug-in Hybrid’s predicted reliability rank: #8 highest of 197 models examined
- Kia’s 2023 sales: 782,468 — #7 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: Hyundai Motor Group
20. Hyundai
- Hyundai’s least reliable model: Ioniq 5 (Electric SUVs)
- Ioniq 5’s predicted reliability rank: #161 highest of 197 models examined
- Hyundai’s most reliable model: Palisade (Electric SUVs)
- Palisade’s predicted reliability rank: #22 highest of 197 models examined
- Hyundai’s 2023 sales: 796,506 — #6 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: Hyundai Motor Group
19. Buick
- Buick’s least reliable model: Encore GX (Luxury entry-level SUVs)
- Encore GX’s predicted reliability rank: #110 highest of 197 models examined
- Buick’s most reliable model: Enclave (Luxury entry-level SUVs)
- Enclave’s predicted reliability rank: #74 highest of 197 models examined
- Buick’s 2023 sales: 166,852 — #20 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: General Motors
18. Infiniti
- Infiniti’s least reliable model: QX60 (Luxury midsized SUVs 3-row)
- QX60’s predicted reliability rank: #139 highest of 197 models examined
- Infiniti’s most reliable model: Q50 (Luxury midsized SUVs 3-row)
- Q50’s predicted reliability rank: #77 highest of 197 models examined
- Infiniti’s 2023 sales: 65,316 — #28 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance
17. Tesla
- Tesla’s least reliable model: Model X (Electric SUVs 3-row)
- Model X’s predicted reliability rank: #181 highest of 197 models examined
- Tesla’s most reliable model: Model 3 (Electric SUVs 3-row)
- Model 3’s predicted reliability rank: #110 highest of 197 models examined
- Tesla’s 2023 sales: 670,000 — #8 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: Tesla Inc.
16. Ram
- Ram’s least reliable model: 3500 (Pickup truck)
- 3500’s predicted reliability rank: #139 highest of 197 models examined
- Ram’s most reliable model: 1500 (Pickup truck)
- 1500’s predicted reliability rank: #98 highest of 197 models examined
- Ram’s 2023 sales: 539,477 — #12 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: Stellantis
14 (tied). Cadillac
- Cadillac’s least reliable model: Escalade (Luxury large SUVs)
- Escalade’s predicted reliability rank: #146 highest of 197 models examined
- Cadillac’s most reliable model: XT5 (Luxury large SUVs)
- XT5’s predicted reliability rank: #64 highest of 197 models examined
- Cadillac’s 2023 sales: 147,215 — #21 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: General Motors
14 (tied). Nissan
- Nissan’s least reliable model: Frontier (Midsized pickup trucks)
- Frontier’s predicted reliability rank: #187 highest of 197 models examined
- Nissan’s most reliable model: Ariya (Midsized pickup trucks)
- Ariya’s predicted reliability rank: #52 highest of 197 models examined
- Nissan’s 2023 sales: 834,091 — #5 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance
13. Genesis
- Genesis’s least reliable model: GV70 (Luxury compact SUVs)
- GV70’s predicted reliability rank: #161 highest of 197 models examined
- Genesis’s most reliable model: GV60 (Luxury compact SUVs)
- GV60’s predicted reliability rank: #120 highest of 197 models examined
- Genesis’s 2023 sales: 68,798 — #27 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: Hyundai Motor Group
11 (tied). Audi
- Audi’s least reliable model: Q5 Plug-in Hybrid (Luxury compact SUVs)
- Q5 Plug-in Hybrid’s predicted reliability rank: #152 highest of 197 models examined
- Audi’s most reliable model: A5 (Luxury compact SUVs)
- A5’s predicted reliability rank: #52 highest of 197 models examined
- Audi’s 2023 sales: 227,158 — #18 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: Volkswagen Group
11 (tied). Chevrolet
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- Chevrolet’s least reliable model: Suburban (Large SUVs)
- Suburban’s predicted reliability rank: #181 highest of 197 models examined
- Chevrolet’s most reliable model: Equinox (Large SUVs)
- Equinox’s predicted reliability rank: #70 highest of 197 models examined
- Chevrolet’s 2023 sales: 1,702,700 — #3 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: General Motors
10. Dodge
- Dodge’s least reliable model: Durango (Midsized SUVs 3-row)
- Durango’s predicted reliability rank: #98 highest of 197 models examined
- Dodge’s most reliable model: Durango (Midsized SUVs 3-row)
- Durango’s predicted reliability rank: #98 highest of 197 models examined
- Dodge’s 2023 sales: 199,453 — #19 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: Stellantis
9. Ford
- Ford’s least reliable model: F-150 Hybrid (Full-sized pickup trucks)
- F-150 Hybrid’s predicted reliability rank: #194 highest of 197 models examined
- Ford’s most reliable model: Maverick (Full-sized pickup trucks)
- Maverick’s predicted reliability rank: #29 highest of 197 models examined
- Ford’s 2023 sales: 1,904,038 — #1 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: Ford Motor Co.
8. Lincoln
- Lincoln’s least reliable model: Aviator (Luxury midsized SUVs 3-row)
- Aviator’s predicted reliability rank: #156 highest of 197 models examined
- Lincoln’s most reliable model: Corsair (Luxury midsized SUVs 3-row)
- Corsair’s predicted reliability rank: #125 highest of 197 models examined
- Lincoln’s 2023 sales: 81,444 — #25 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: Ford Motor Co.
7. GMC
- GMC’s least reliable model: Sierra 1500 (Full-sized pickup trucks)
- Sierra 1500’s predicted reliability rank: #175 highest of 197 models examined
- GMC’s most reliable model: Terrain (Full-sized pickup trucks)
- Terrain’s predicted reliability rank: #70 highest of 197 models examined
- GMC’s 2023 sales: 563,692 — #11 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: General Motors
6. Volvo
- Volvo’s least reliable model: XC60 Plug-in Hybrid (Compact luxury SUV)
- XC60 Plug-in Hybrid’s predicted reliability rank: #192 highest of 197 models examined
- Volvo’s most reliable model: S60/V60 (Compact luxury SUV)
- S60/V60’s predicted reliability rank: #58 highest of 197 models examined
- Volvo’s 2023 sales: 128,701 — #24 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: Zhejiang Geely Holding Group
4 (tied). Jeep
- Jeep’s least reliable model: Grand Cherokee L (Midsized SUVs 3-row)
- Grand Cherokee L’s predicted reliability rank: #187 highest of 197 models examined
- Jeep’s most reliable model: Compass (Midsized SUVs 3-row)
- Compass’s predicted reliability rank: #125 highest of 197 models examined
- Jeep’s 2023 sales: 641,166 — #9 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: Stellantis
4 (tied). Volkswagen
- Volkswagen’s least reliable model: Taos (Subcompact SUVs)
- Taos’s predicted reliability rank: #196 highest of 197 models examined
- Volkswagen’s most reliable model: Tiguan (Subcompact SUVs)
- Tiguan’s predicted reliability rank: #160 highest of 197 models examined
- Volkswagen’s 2023 sales: 329,025 — #16 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: Volkswagen AG.
3. Rivian
- Rivian’s least reliable model: R1T (Electric pickup trucks)
- R1T’s predicted reliability rank: #191 highest of 197 models examined
- Rivian’s most reliable model: R1S (Electric pickup trucks)
- R1S’s predicted reliability rank: #187 highest of 197 models examined
- Rivian’s 2023 sales: 47,203 — #29 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: Rivian Automotive, with investments from Amazon and Ford, among others.
2. Mercedes-Benz
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- Mercedes-Benz’s least reliable model: C-Class (Luxury compact cars)
- C-Class’s predicted reliability rank: #194 highest of 197 models examined
- Mercedes-Benz’s most reliable model: GLE (Luxury compact cars)
- GLE’s predicted reliability rank: #154 highest of 197 models examined
- Mercedes-Benz’s 2023 sales: 342,240 — #15 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: Mercedes-Benz Group AG
1. Chrysler
- Chrysler’s least reliable model: Pacifica Hybrid (Minivans 3-row)
- Pacifica Hybrid’s predicted reliability rank: #197 highest of 197 models examined
- Chrysler’s most reliable model: Pacifica (Minivans 3-row)
- Pacifica’s predicted reliability rank: #133 highest of 197 models examined
- Chrysler’s 2023 sales: 133,839 — #23 highest of 30 brands
- Brand owner: Stellantis
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