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YONKERS, NY — Hybrid vehicles and midsized or large sedans may not be the most popular new vehicles sold, but they are among the most reliable, according to the latest Annual Auto Reliability data from Consumer Reports (CR), the nonprofit research, testing, and consumer advocacy organization. On the other hand, the data shows electric vehicles (EVs) and full-size pickup trucks are the two most problematic categories.
“Consumers tell us reliability is one of the most important factors when buying a car,” said Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing at Consumer Reports. “Our data can help people choose a satisfying car that can go the distance and avoid headaches at the repair shop, which is more important than ever with high prices, low inventory and more vehicle choices.”
CR’s survey findings were announced today at an online news conference in collaboration with the Detroit-based Automotive Press Association.
Toyota and Lexus pull farther ahead in CR’s new Brand Reliability Rankings, headlining another strong year for Asian automakers. Seven of the top ten most reliable brands are Japanese and Korean. Lincoln is the only domestic brand in this year’s top ten.
Other highlights from CR’s influential annual report include:
Every year, CR asks its members about problems they’ve had with their vehicles in the previous 12 months on 17 trouble areas, including engine, transmission, in-car electronics, and more. CR uses that information to predict reliability ratings for new cars from every major mainstream model. This year, CR gathered data on more than 300,000 vehicles from the 2000 to 2022 model years, with a few newly-introduced 2023 models.
The predictions for 2023 models are based on each year’s overall reliability for the past three years, provided that the model hasn’t been redesigned during that time. To predict reliability for brand new models, those redesigned for 2023, and models with insufficient data, CR analyzes the brand’s reliability history, the previous generations, and, if applicable, the reliability of models with shared components.
Consumer Reports’ analysis of new-car reliability is a key element of CR’s Overall Score, which is a holistic ranking that helps consumers find the vehicles that deliver on their promises and last. The Overall Score also includes road-test performance, owner satisfaction survey results, whether a vehicle comes standard with key active safety systems, and results from crash tests, if applicable.
CR Changes Overall Score to Impact Safety and Fuel Efficiency
Beginning this month, CR will start penalizing models that don’t come standard with automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection. CR will aim to incentivize manufacturers to adopt better-performing AEB systems by awarding bonus points on a sliding scale based on a vehicle’s performance in IIHS’s new vehicle-to-pedestrian AEB tests.
“There are better safety features for cars than ever before, and more drivers and pedestrians need to benefit from this life saving technology,” said Marta L. Tellado, President and CEO of Consumer Reports. “CR’s message to auto manufacturers remains clear: make that technology standard for all consumers.”
In addition, CR will stop awarding a bonus point to vehicles that come standard with blind spot warning (BSW) alone. Instead, rear cross traffic warning (RCTW) that alerts the driver to vehicles approaching from either side will also need to be standard equipment. Additionally, CR will stop awarding the bonus point for standard forward collision warning (FCW), which is now widely included in AEB systems.
“We’ve seen that changes to our ratings can influence manufacturers to adopt life-saving safety features,” said Fisher. “Since CR began awarding bonus points for standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, the number of models with this feature standard has doubled. Our goal with these new changes is to take that even further and protect people from getting rear-ended by an inattentive driver or run down when crossing the street.”
Consumer Reports is also changing the weightings in its proprietary road-test scoring process to increase the importance of fuel economy. Consumers rank fuel economy as one of the most important factors in a vehicle purchase, along with safety and reliability.
Despite Growing Popularity, EVs Experiencing Some Growing Pains
EVs are gaining in market share, and CR has more data than ever before from its owner surveys to gauge their reliability. But with the introduction of so many new models, the results are, not surprisingly, subpar. Only full-sized pickups fare worse as a category for predicted reliability.
Tesla Motors, the market leader in EV sales and the manufacturer on which CR received the most data from owners, continues to have issues with body hardware, steering/suspension, paint and trim, and climate system on its models, but the electric powertrains have very few problems. Tesla rose four spots this year to 19th place in the brand rankings. The Model 3 again has average reliability while all the other Tesla models–the S, Y, and X –are all below average.
EV owners from other manufacturers reported charging problems, battery problems, and electric drive motor issues. Of the 11 EV models on which CR has sufficient data, only four have average or better predicted reliability.
Toyota and Lexus Extend their Lead as Asian Brands Dominate Top 10
Of the top ten most reliable automakers, seven are headquartered in Asia, with Toyota and Lexus in the top two spots, continuing a long run of delivering very good reliability in many models. Mazda ranked fourth this year, down two spots, Honda was unchanged in fifth, Subaru ranked seventh and Acura ranked eighth overall; both were down one since last year. Kia ranked ninth, up six spots from 2021.
The Tundra, redesigned in 2022, is the only Toyota to have a below average reliability score due to leaks, and problems with body hardware, paint, and trim. The RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid dropped to average, mostly because of fuel system problems filling the tank. All other Toyota models score above average, and the Corolla Hybrid is the most reliable model in CR’s survey this year. The Corolla Cross, Prius, and Corolla are also well above average.
Lexus has consistently been a top-scoring brand in CR’s reliability surveys. All Lexus models scored above average or well above average for reliability. With few changes since 2010, the Lexus GX is the most reliable Lexus this year. The redesigned-for-2022 Lexus NX Hybrid is also outstanding.
Mazda, in fourth, has long had a conservative approach to redesigning models that continues to help the company produce reliable vehicles year after year. Mazda also benefits from shared platforms and similar components through its lineup. The company has also opted to stick with a dependable six-speed automatic transmission while other automakers have opted for newer and more complicated transmissions with even more speeds. The Mazda3 has average predicted reliability. The CX-9 and CX-30 are also average, with some CX-30 owners reporting engine computer issues. The CX-5 is above average, and the MX-5 Miata is well above average.
Honda’s Passport, Accord, Accord Hybrid, and Civic all scored above average reliability. Honda had only two models with average predicted reliability, the Odyssey and Ridgeline. Both Odyssey and Ridgeline owners told CR about problems with in-car electronics with screens freezing.
Subaru, ranking seventh, has worked out some problems with the Ascent, which improves to average predicted reliability. There are still reports of transmission issues, but fewer than in the past. The Outback remains average and the Legacy dropped to average, both due to in-car electronics issues with screens freezing, electrical system problems with the battery, and power equipment problems. The Impreza is average, and the Crosstrek and Forester both have above average reliabilty.
Acura’s MDX and RDX SUVs both have above average reliability this year. The TLX dropped to average because of problems with in-car electronics, brakes, and electrical system issues.
Kia’s new-for-2022 EV6 EV has outstanding reliability while the Carnival and K5 are both above average. The Forte, Soul, and Selto improve to average due to fewer reports of transmission issues. The Telluride and redesigned Sportage are also average. The Sorento remains subpar due to transmission problems requiring a rebuild or replacement, and some reports of engine overheating.
Genesis, BMW Make Big Gains
Genesis jumped nine spots and now ranks 12th overall. The G80 sedan is above average, and the GV70 small SUV is average. The GV80 midsized SUV is better than it was but still remains below average due primarily to infotainment screen problems.
Nissan dropped seven spots to 15th place. The Rogue improved from below average to above average. The Altima and Murano are also above average. The Leaf EV dropped to average, the Frontier pickup is below average, and the Sentra and Pathfinder both have well below average reliability. The Sentra has problems with the brakes, climate system and paint and trim. The Pathfinder has problems with power equipment, in-car electronics, and body hardware.
Hyundai fell four positions and now ranks 13th. Most of Hyundai’s models are average including the Tucson, Palisade, and Ioniq 5 EV. The Santa Fe Hybrid and Sonata are above average. The Elantra, Kona and Santa Cruz small pickup are below average. The Kona Electric remains subpar due to similar battery pack, electric drive system, and charging system issues that CR saw last year. The Kona and Elantra both have climate system issues and the Kona also has fuel system problems.
For the first time ever in CR’s brand rankings for reliability, BMW is in the Top 3, coming in third overall. It climbed 10 spots, one of the most substantive changes in the brand rankings. All of its models are either average or better. The 3- and 4-series improved to above average. The X3, X5, X7, and 5 series all have average predicted reliability. Scores for those models were hurt by problems with in-car electronics with display screen issues and climate system problems.
Audi’s A5 has been consistently above average. This year, it has outstanding reliability. All other Audis are average. The Q7 is average for the second year in a row. The Q3 improved to average and the A4 and Q5 both dropped to average. The Q5’s reliability was hurt by in-car electronics and climate system issues.
Volvo is ranked 14th. Its XC90 and XC60 scored below average mostly due to brake problems on both models. Problems were also reported on the XC90’s climate system and on the XC60’s in-car electronics. The S60/V60, and XC40 are all average.
Volkswagen ranks 22nd out of 24 brands. The Atlas and Jetta remain average this year. The ID.4 EV and Tiguan are below average, and the new-for-2022 Taos is well below average. The ID.4 has issues with its electric drive, charging components, and in-car electronics with blank and freezing screens that sometimes require a hardware replacement. The Taos also has in-car electronics, fuel system, and electrical system problems.
Lincoln is Most Improved Brand; GM Brands Slip
Lincoln ranks as CR’s most-improved brand this year, rising 14 spots to 10th place in the brand rankings. The Corsair improved to well above average and the Nautilus rose to above average. Lincoln’s only subpar model is the Aviator, which is unchanged from last year. The Aviator has multiple in-car electronics issues with the screen, some of which require a hardware replacement. It also has problems with the climate system, steering and suspension, power equipment, body hardware, and paint and trim.
All General Motors brands dropped in CR’s brand rankings. Buick fell seven places to eleventh. Its SUV lineup all gets average reliability. While the Enclave improved this year, the Encore GX and Envision both dropped.
Cadillac slipped five spots to 17th overall. The XT5 fell from well above average to average, and the CT5 is below average. The XT5 fell because of in-car electronics, brake, and drive system issues.
Chevrolet dropped 10 spots and now ranks 20th overall. There are wide disparities in the reliability of various Chevrolet models. Chevrolet’s Trailblazer and Blazer are both above average. The Silverado 1500, Bolt, and Bolt EUV are well below average. The Tahoe improves but is still below average, and the Silverado 2500 HD truck is also below average. The Bolt and Bolt EUV reliability issues are primarily related to battery problems and electric drive failures. The Silverado 1500 continues to have major engine problems requiring rebuild or replacement, as well as issues in the electrical system, brakes, and drive system.
Some GMC models have similar problems to their twins from Chevrolet. The Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500 HD and Yukon are all below or well below average. The Terrain and Acadia are both average. The Sierra 1500 suffers as a result of the same engine, fuel system, and drive system problems as the Silverado.
Ram is the highest ranking Stellantis brand in 16th place. The Ram 1500 and Ram 2500 are both average; the 1500 has some engine computer problems and many in-car electronics issues with screens freezing or the hardware requiring replacement.
Ford ranks in 18th place. The new-for-2022 Ford Maverick and Ford Maverick Hybrid have above average reliability along with the Edge. The Explorer continues to have substandard reliability, and this year the F-150 Hybrid does as well. The Bronco Sport and Mustang Mach-E fell to below average. The F-150 and Escape are also below average. All other Fords are average. The Mustang Mach-E has in-car electronics problems with the display screen freezing, multiple of which required a hardware replacement. Other reported problems include the electrical system with battery pack and charging system issues. The Bronco Sport drops this year because of issues with brakes, engine, and noises and leaks.
Jeep ranks among the lowest, at 23rd overall. The Cherokee is Jeep’s only model with average reliability. All others are below average. The Gladiator continues to have issues with steering and suspension, as well as the drive system and electrical system. Wrangler owners report electrical system, fuel system, climate system, and engine issues, some of which require a rebuild or replacement. The Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L have in-car electronics, power equipment, and steering/suspension problems.
For more information on CR’s 2022 #CRCarReliability findings, visit CR.org/reliability or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @consumerreports.
About Consumer Reports Annual Auto Reliability Surveys
The latest Consumer Reports Annual Auto Reliability Surveys gathered information from car owners on over 300,000 vehicles from model years 2000 to 2022 and early 2023. CR’s reliability predictions are based on overall reliability for the past three model years, provided the vehicle has not been redesigned. One or two years of data will be used if the model was redesigned in 2022 or 2021. CR bases its reliability predictions on data gathered from car owners each year about problems they had with their vehicles in the past 12 months. CR’s team of statisticians, researchers, and testers then analyzed trouble areas and created an overall reliability score for each model and year. Serious problem areas that can lead to expensive repairs are more heavily weighted. More information can be found at www.CR.org.
Founded in 1936, CR has a mission to create a fair and just marketplace for all. Widely known for our rigorous research and testing of products and services, we also survey millions of consumers each year, report extensively on marketplace issues, and advocate for consumer rights and protections around safety as well as digital rights, financial fairness, and sustainability. CR is independent and nonprofit.
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