Talking Cars 433: Car Reliability Highlights

Main theme: Each year, Consumer Reports members rise to the call when asked what problems they have had with their vehicles over the past year. The response to CR’s survey is so robust, in fact, that the analysis and tabulation of this year’s responses provide data for over 330,000 vehicles ranging from model year 2000 to 2023. It is these results when compared to other vehicles from the same model year that inform the used-car reliability ratings and new-car predictions, and they serve as a key component of each vehicle’s Overall Score. 

This week, the podcast panel discusses this year’s findings and in particular how the survey questions and results now shed new light on the particular problem areas specific to hybrids, electric (EV), and plug-in electric (PHEV) vehicles. How do these powertrains stack up against traditional internal-combustion-powered cars? And how is the reliability of the automakers that produce them affected? 

Learn more about car reliability.

Audience Questions
• How has “average” reliability of cars changed over the years?
• With the cost of some electric vehicles coming down, is now the time to get one?