Consumer Reports takes a deep look at everything from appliances to cleaning supplies to vehicles, giving not only their expert opinion on things but mainly how products check out on the consumer’s end; hence the name Consumer Reports. When it comes to rating vehicles, Consumer Reports samples over 640,000 vehicles to create reports focusing on safety, owner satisfaction, and reliability. Reliability is measured by rating different categories or trouble spots, as they call it, on how the vehicle’s reliability checks out. Trouble spots focus on mechanical things like the power train, brakes, and suspension. It also focuses on physical things like body, paint, and in-car electronics.

Updated April 2022: Reliability is a vital factor when purchasing a car. As the prices of new vehicles continue to rise, many buyers have less money for repairs, which means automakers lose customers when their vehicles break down frequently. We’ve updated this list to include even more unreliable vehicles to watch out for!

Consumer Reports does a fantastic job analyzing the new data collected about vehicles every year. It compares the data they have collected throughout the years, comparing how the manufacturers have improved throughout the years. They also come out with annual vehicles reports like most reliable, best pick, and the dreaded Consumer Reports least reliable list, a list that no vehicle wants to be on.

Related: General Motors: 25 Of The Most Unreliable Cars They Ever Made

22 Unreliable: Tesla Model S

Tesla Model S Front Quarter Black
Tesla

Tesla undoubtedly owns the EV market. They’re luxurious, fast, and don’t need gas. What’s not to love? It turns out their reliability is what’s not to love. As far as EVs go, the Model S isn’t all that reliable at all, with Consumer Reports stating that there are quality concerns with interior materials, and functionality significantly decreases in cold weather.

Additionally, the Model S has 17 reported recalls, according to Cars.com. Although they command a fair share of glory, there are equal amounts of concern that the Model S will break down the minute it hits the driveway. It’s especially unnerving considering that the Model S can go for as much as $135,000.

21 Unreliable: Nissan X-Trail

Nissan-X-Trail-1
Via carbuyer.co.uk

Owners of the X-Trail are less than thrilled at Nissan’s performance with the mid-sized SUV. Nissan’s X-Trail performs so poorly that brands like Kia and Hyundai outperform the SUV in every category. The X-Trail placed 28th out of 30 in reliability, according to WhataCar.

The same website surveyed X-Trail owners in 2021 and found that nearly half of all owners have problems with the SUV. These problems range from electrical issues to faulty handles and interior quality standards. We only hope those who dropped the more than $30,000 to get one saved enough for repairs that constantly crop up!

20 Unreliable: Subaru Ascent

White Subaru Ascent 8-passenger SUV
Via: NetCarShow

Subaru produces an extensive range of reliable vehicles. They often brag about how 90% of their cars are still on roads after ten years, but the Ascent seemed to miss the memo. Consumer Reports gave the Ascent an awful score in reliability, 1 out of 5. With such a strong performance in almost every other aspect of the SUV, the reliability is a shocker.

In addition, according to Consumer Reports, the Ascent scores the lowest in its class, rating worse than the Explorer, which is world-famous for its “exploder” moniker. The poor ratings dropped Subaru’s reliability as a whole, and we hope things improve for the largest SUV offered.

19 Unreliable: Pontiac Fiero

1988 Pontiac Fiero Sports Car In Medium Red
Via: Mecum

Back in the 80s, we were all given the Pontiac Fiero. According to Motor1, it was one of the “worst sports cars.” For starters, the Fiero’s suspension was complicated, constantly having issues, it was heavy, and the maintenance was very pricey on the Fiero. Even though it was American-made, it was utterly unreliable.

There were over 100 reports of Fieros bursting into flames due to a design flaw in their engine. All in all, the Fiero was a mess and, luckily, discontinued after just a few years.

18 Unreliable: Cadillac Escalade

1999 Cadillac Escalade
via: Flickr

Cadillac broke into the SUV market after releasing its Escalade back in 1999, and it seems to have had issues ever since. The Escalade even made the Consumer Reports “Least Reliable Cars” list in 2017. Consumer Reports notes this is due to problems with the infotainment system and significant issues with the transmission.

The Escalade may be massive on the outside, but Consumer Reports also notes that the interior feels very small on the inside, with complaints about the comfort. Not what you would expect from a luxury SUV that costs over 80k.

17 Unreliable: Ford Fiesta

Ford-Fiesta-2022-1280-01
Via: Ford

The Ford Fiesta is another vehicle to make the dreaded, least reliable cars list. The Fiesta is like its close relative; the Ford Focus and owners complained about a defective “Powershift” dual transmission. As a result, many will be receiving a payout from a class-action suit filed against Ford.

Like most vehicles on this list, the Fiesta has worsened the overall reliability score every year. The majority of the issues are due to the transmission, heating, and cooling system, plus weather-stripping defects that result in all sorts of weird noises and leaks.

16 Unreliable: Dodge Ram

Black 2008 Dodge RAM 1500
Via nateqnews.com

Back in 2015, Fiat-Chrysler got slammed with a $105 million fine due to mishandling recalls. According to Car and Driver, the lawsuit came after three separate recalls, all dealing with steering issues on over half a million vehicles, mainly affecting Rams of all rated tow levels.

Some consumers had waited as long as two years to get their faulty vehicles sorted out, and some weren’t as lucky because of these recalls; there were 32 recorded accidents and one death. Regardless it doesn’t comply with the law saying that manufacturers must tend to recalls in a timely fashion, and why Fiat-Chrysler had to pay over 100 million in fines and buy back vehicles that weren’t repaired.

15 Unreliable: Chevy Cruze

Chevy Cruze
via chevrolet.ca

The Chevy Cruze was introduced to the world in 2008, and it seems like it’s been nothing but problems since then. There are countless complaints on Consumer Reports that state the Chevy Cruze has issues with rough rides, hard shifts, and a plethora of different electrical issues.

According to The Drive, GM released a recall that affected over 110k Cruzes and put a freeze on further sales of units until GM resolved the issues. That is definitely enough to show this car is not likely to last very long.

Related: 10 Times Chevy Actually Built Unreliable Cars (And 10 Built Like Tanks)

14 Unreliable: Ford Focus

2-Via DragTimes Cropped
2-Via DragTimes Cropped

The Ford Focus scored 1 out of 5 on Consumer Reports reliability. The Focus had a plethora of issues and recalls in the past, the most major being the transmission.

Road and Track announced that owners of Ford Focus models from 2012 to 2016 that were equipped with the “Powershift” dual transmission would receive a payout from a class-action suit from Ford due to their vehicles being deemed lemons. The Focus has also had countless issues with its infotainment system, forcing them to move to a new and improved design.

13 Unreliable: GMC Acadia

Silver 2007 GMC Acadia
Via The Globe and Mail

The GMC Acadia came out in 2007 and hasn’t done well on Consumer Report’s overall reliability since then. This year Acadia already has two recalls on file, both increasing the risk of an accident. The first is an issue with the fuel pump, resulting in a fire, or the other dealing with the driveshaft.

If it malfunctions while driving could cause a crash, or is while it’s parked will just roll away. In addition to all the Acadia’s other issues, that may not be such a bad deal.

12 Unreliable: Fiat 500

Blue Fiat 500 Twinair
Stellantis

Yet another vehicle to make Consumer Reports “Least Reliable Cars” is the Fiat 500. The pint-sized vehicle came out in 2012 and seemed like a city driver’s dream come true.

The 500 has done worse every year on Consumer Reports overall reliability every year that it has been produced. The 2014 year, in particular, was horrible as it didn’t seem to do much improving on the major trouble spots that it had in 2013. It was a small car that packed some bigger headaches.

11 Unreliable: Volkswagen Jetta

2013-volkswagen-jetta-hybrid-test-review-car-and-driver-photo-491198-s-original
via caranddriver.com

Long before Volkswagen had a bad reputation for its dirty diesel scandal, it had a reputation for being unreliable. According to Consumer Reports, the Jetta hasn’t improved on the overall reliability verdict since 2000, or the oldest data Consumer Reports had listed. They’re predicting that 2018 isn’t going to be a great year either.

In 2017, most of the issues focused on the transmission, with the consumer having to get clutches and torque convertors replaced and, in worst-case scenarios, having to get a whole new transmission or rebuilds.

10 Unreliable: Land Rover Discovery

Land Rover Discovery 3 SUV
Via: Facebook

There have been many issues with the Land Rover Discovery since, well, its discovery. Forums all over the internet warn consumers of the countless problems and recalls they have encountered with their Land Rovers. Consumer Reports claimed that the Discovery II was a disaster with a laundry list of issues.

Issues included less than par steering and handling, rough ride, and a slew of problems with the air-ride system. 2017 was another rebuilding year, but there are still issues as Consumer Reports still predicted its reliability in 2018 to be 1 out 5.

9 Reliable: Subaru Forester

2019 Subaru Forester
By Kevauto - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, 

Subaru has been bragging about its reliability for years, and rightfully so, as they have been collecting awards that prove its credibility.

This year, Subaru was recognized by Kelly Blue Book, Forbes, and IIHS for awards; and remains the best-selling all-wheel drive vehicle and has held the title for the past decade. According to Subaru, 90% of their vehicles still on the road were sold in the past decade. In addition, they were the first US automotive factory with zero-landfill.

8 Reliable: Toyota 4Runner

Front 3/4 view of a silver 4Runner
Toyota

Toyota is known for its reliability, and the same goes for the 4Runner. This year the 4Runner was recognized by Kelly Blue Book as the “Top 10 for Best Resale Value.” Since 2000, which is the oldest reporting Consumer Reports had on file, the 4Runners overall reliability has increased.

According to Consumer Reports, the 2017 model scored perfectly, revealing it didn’t have a single trouble spot. In addition, Consumer Reports noted the 4Runner has no issues making it to the 200k milestone and with minimal repairs.

7 Reliable: Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Mitsubishi Outlander.
By Vauxford - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, 

While the Mitsubishi Outlander may not have made the Consumer Reports “Most Reliable Car” list, it has done consistently well across the board throughout the years. This year Consumer Reports predicts that the Outlander will do well again as far as overall reliability, as it has since its release in 2011.

In essence, this isn’t the toughest machine on the road, but it’s definitely a safe bet with few issues. It also has a nice look and would make a smart purchase.

Related: Here Are The Most Reliable '90s Sports Cars You Can Buy For $15,000

6 Reliable: Honda Civic

Honda Civic Hatchback.
Via cnet.com

You know a Honda Civic is reliable due to the number of old hatchbacks from the 80s you still see cruising around 30 years later.

They were known to rack up hundreds of thousands of miles on the original power train while getting some of the best gas mileage for a car. While the Civic didn’t get a perfect score on Consumer Reports' overall reliability the past couple of years, the majority of decrease is due to recent issues with in-car electronics and power equipment.

5 Reliable: Toyota RAV4

Toyota RAV4
Via: Toyota

Next on the list is the Toyota RAV4. It dominates as both Toyota and Lexus have three models each to make the Consumer Reports “Most reliable car" list. That list includes the RAV4.

Since 2000, the oldest reporting Consumer Reports had on file, the RAV4 has increased almost every year on the overall reliability verdict. The exception was in 2006 and 2007 when it stayed indifferent on the scale. The 4 Runner even did better than the Subaru Forrester, which also makes this list of overall reliability for the past three years.

4 Reliable: Toyota Prius

Toyota Prius 2010
Via Florida Fine Motors

The Toyota wowed the world when it was introduced in 2001, being a hybrid and bragging about getting up to 52 mpg. The Prius may be a hybrid, but its batteries check out. Consumer Reports compared a Prius with 2000 miles on it to one that had 200k miles in the original batteries, power train, and even suspension components.

Since 2001, the Prius has done nothing but improve on the Consumer Reports overall reliability verdict. The decreases were pretty minuscule. Consumer Reports even credited it as a vehicle to have no problem getting to the 200k mile mark, with minimal repairs.

3 Reliable: Subaru Legacy

2021 Subaru Legacy
Via Thecarconnection

As we now know, Subaru is an award-winning car manufacturer known for its reliability. The Subaru Legacy is Subaru’s flagship vehicle, and this year they released a 50th-anniversary edition to celebrate Subaru’s 50th year of selling in the states.

This year is one of the only years that the Legacy didn’t improve on Consumer Reports' overall reliability verdict due to issues with in-car electronics but did well in every other trouble spot. That speaks to the car’s legacy, pun intended.