You've Been Warned: Consumer Reports Says These New Cars Are The Least Reliable

When people shop for a new car, they often focus on style, speed, or cool features. But for most owners, the biggest question is simple: Will the car be reliable? A vehicle that looks great on the lot can quickly turn into a headache if it breaks down often or needs constant repairs. That's why Consumer Reports' (CR) annual reliability survey is one of the most trusted reports in the auto world. Each year, CR surveys hundreds of thousands of owners to find out which cars, trucks, and SUVs are most likely to cause problems.

For 2025, CR studied data from about 300,000 vehicles, examining more than 20 potential trouble spots. These range from big systems like engines, transmissions, and EV batteries to more minor but still frustrating issues like electronics, body hardware, and climate controls. Each car gets a reliability score from 0 to 100. A higher score means fewer predicted problems; a lower score indicates more. This year's results show that even some of the most popular and high‑tech cars can have serious reliability issues. Electric vehicles and hybrids, which use newer technology, make up a large part of the list. But some gas SUVs and trucks also rank near the bottom.

The Volkswagen ID.4 is VW's first mass‑market electric SUV, launched in 2020 to compete with the Tesla Model Y. It offers decent range, a roomy interior, and federal tax credit eligibility, making it popular with budget‑minded EV buyers. But Consumer Reports gave it a low reliability score of 29/100, pointing to problems with the battery, drive system, brakes, charging, electronics, body hardware, and climate control.

Volkswagen, as a brand, struggles as well. CR ranked it the 5th least reliable brand overall, with a score of 34/100. J.D. Power's 2025 Vehicle Dependability Study placed VW at the bottom, with 285 problems per 100 vehicles, compared to the industry average of 202. Driving Power's annual best car manufacturer customer survey ranked VW 27th out of 32 brands, with 26% of owners reporting a fault in the first year and 40% reporting electrical issues—bad news for an EV. The ID.4 itself scored poorly in J.D. Power's most recent rating (65/100 overall, with just 54/100 for Quality & Reliability). MotorTrend criticized its cheap‑feeling interior plastics, while U.S. News & World Report ranked it 14th of 17 electric SUVs and 85th of 97 crossover SUVs.

Edmunds ranked the ID.4 8 out of 16 electric SUVs. Owners are split. Many like the ID.4's comfortable seats, roomy cabin, smooth ride, and styling. But complaints include buggy software, charging problems, and reduced range in cold weather. Some owners also mentioned concerns with the car's reliability and customer service experiences. VW offers a 4‑year/50,000‑mile bumper‑to‑bumper warranty, an 8‑year/100,000‑mile battery warranty, and three years of free fast charging on Electrify America.

The Genesis G70 is a sporty luxury sedan that debuted in 2018 as the brand's entry‑level model. It quickly earned praise for its sharp looks and strong performance, even winning MotorTrend's Car of the Year in 2019. But reliability has been a weak spot. While Consumer Reports' road test showed that the G70 is "engaging to drive, well-equipped, and nicely finished," the publication still gave it a reliability score of 29/100, citing issues with steering, suspension, the engine, fuel system, minor transmission problems, and electronics. As a brand, Genesis ranks in the middle. CR places it 14th of 22 brands with a score of 40/100, while J.D. Power's 2025 study ranks it 17th of 30, with 213 problems per 100 vehicles (slightly worse than average).

Rankings from other reviews are mixed. MotorTrend still rates the G70 highly, placing it 4th of 9 luxury compact sedans and praising its build quality, top-notch materials, and long list of standard features. Car & Driver ranks it #2 out of 14 in the best luxury cars. U.S. News & World Report ranks it 9th of 17 luxury small cars, with predicted reliability at 84/100. Edmunds gives it a 7.6/10 overall and ranks it mid‑pack, 5 out of 10, among small luxury sedans.

Owners generally love the G70's styling, quick acceleration, and luxury feel at a lower price than BMW or Audi. They also value Genesis's strong warranty (5 years/60,000 miles basic). But many complain about the cramped back seat, tiny trunk, and poor fuel economy with the V6. A smaller number report tech glitches and reliability concerns.

The Ford F‑150 Lightning is the electric version of America's best‑selling truck. Launched in 2022, it wowed critics with its towing power, fast acceleration, and ability to power a home during outages. But reliability is a concern. Consumer Reports gave it a score of 28/100, citing problems with the EV battery, charging system, 12‑volt battery, and in‑car electronics.

Ford as a brand ranks 13th of 22 in CR's list, with a score of 44/100. J.D. Power also places it 13th of 30, with 208 problems per 100 vehicles (slightly worse than average). Both Edmunds and Car and Driver gave it a rank of #2 of 6 in all-wheel-drive electric trucks. The Lightning has already faced two recalls: one for a brake fluid leak that increases stopping distance, and another for a detached control arm that could cause loss of steering.

Owner opinions are mixed. Many love its smooth, quiet ride, roomy interior, and powerful performance. But others complain about limited range, charging challenges, and glitchy tech. Some also express frustration with Ford's customer service and the cost of add‑on features. Overall, the Lightning is praised for its quick acceleration, smooth ride, and familiar F‑150 styling that appeals to loyal truck buyers. But its reliability issues and recalls show that Ford still has work to do. Warranty coverage is standard: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper‑to‑bumper and 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain.

The Jeep Wrangler is an off‑road legend, tracing its roots back to the WWII Jeep. In production since 1986, it's famous for its rugged design, removable doors, and open‑air driving. But while it shines on trails, it has long struggled with reliability. Consumer Reports gave it a low score of 27/100, citing problems with suspension, steering, body hardware, electronics, and engines. The Jeep brand overall also ranks near the bottom, placing 19th of 22 in CR's list and 28th of 30 in J.D. Power's study, with 275 problems per 100 vehicles (well above the industry average of 202).

The Wrangler is one of two Jeeps on this list. Edmunds scores the off-road vehicle at just 5.5/10, one of the lowest scores in its class. CarGurus also warns about the Wrangler's notorious "death wobble" steering issue and frequent electrical faults. The 2025 vehicle already has a recall for pressure monitoring and regulating systems. Many owners love the Wrangler's fun, spacious design, open‑roof option, and off‑road capability. But others complain about rattles, poor steering, and tech glitches. The Wrangler is unmatched for trail adventures, but it's less comfortable and less reliable than most rivals for everyday driving. The warranty is 3 years/36,000 miles, which is average for its class.

The Nissan Frontier is a midsize pickup that first launched in 1997 and was fully redesigned in 2022. Despite the update, reliability hasn't kept up. Consumer Reports gave it a score of 27/100, pointing to transmission failures (some requiring rebuilds), drive system faults, brake problems, leaks, and electronics issues. Nissan, as a brand, ranks mid‑pack, 12th of 22 in CR's list and 18th of 30 in J.D. Power's study, with 215 problems per 100 vehicles.

Industry reviews echo the reliability issues with the Frontier. Car and Driver ranks it 8th of 9. Edmunds also ranks it towards the bottom, at 6th of 7 in its group. RepairPal is more generous, giving it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5 and ranking it #2 out of 8 among Midsize Trucks. The 2025 Nissan Frontier has a predicted reliability score of 84 out of 100 from JD Power.

Owners appreciate the Frontier's strong V6 engine, comfortable ride, and rugged looks, saying it offers good value for the price. But many report stiff steering, outdated interior features, and serious transmission problems. Nissan's warranty coverage is also weaker than most rivals, with 3 years/36,000 miles bumper‑to‑bumper and 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain, plus shorter roadside assistance and no free maintenance. The Frontier appeals to buyers who want an old‑school truck feel, but it may disappoint those looking for modern features and long‑term dependability.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been a popular midsize SUV since 1992, with the three‑row Grand Cherokee L added in 2021. Both models land on this list, with Consumer Reports giving them a reliability score of just 22/100. Reported issues include the drive system, climate controls, brakes, suspension, and engine electronics. It is the second Jeep brand to be on the list.

Rankings vary widely. U.S. News & World Report places the Grand Cherokee 5th of 24 midsize SUVs and even names it a finalist for its Best 2‑Row Midsize SUV for Families award. MotorTrend ranks it 2nd of 10 midsize SUVs, though the Grand Cherokee L is lower at 10th of 14 three‑row SUVs. J.D. Power predicts average reliability with a score of 80/100. Edmunds ranks the Jeep Grand Cherokee 5th of 12 midsize SUVs.

Owners like the Grand Cherokee's stylish design, comfortable seats, and smooth handling. But many complain about reliability problems, poor customer service, and confusing controls. Some also feel the interior materials don't match the price, with flimsy controls and uneven build quality. The Grand Cherokee offers plenty of trims and options, but persistent reliability issues make it a risky choice compared to rivals.

The Ford Escape Hybrid is a compact hybrid SUV designed to be efficient and practical, but reliability drags it down. It is the 2nd of 3 Ford vehicles that make this list. The first hybrid Escape launched in 2005, and the current generation debuted in 2020. Consumer Reports gave it a score of just 21/100, citing major problems with the hybrid battery (sometimes requiring replacement), electronics, brakes, and leaks.

Industry rankings also reflect the Escape Hybrid's reliability issues. U.S. News & World Report places it 10th of 14 hybrid SUVs. Edmunds ranks it last in its class, 5th of 5 best plug-in hybrid SUVs. J.D. Power predicts above‑average reliability at 85/100, but owner feedback suggests otherwise. Alarmingly, the SUV has five recalls. The first is an oil leak issue, which can result in loss of drive power. The second is due to an overheated engine block heater, which can increase the risk of a fire. The last three deal with instrument panel display and rearview camera issues.

Drivers like the Escape Hybrid's roomy interior, heated features, comfort, and fuel efficiency. But complaints include transmission issues, noisy alerts, and quality problems with parts like roof panels and interior trim. Some also find the automatic driver‑assist features annoying or glitchy. Others have faced issues with the transmission and noisy alerts, and a few have reported quality problems with parts like roof panels and interior materials. Some also found the automatic features annoying or malfunctioning. Ford's warranty is average for the class: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper‑to‑bumper and 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain with roadside assistance.

The Rivian R1T is one of the most talked‑about electric pickups, blending futuristic design with real off‑road ability. Launched in 2021 as Rivian's first production vehicle, it quickly earned praise for its mix of luxury, performance, and trail capability. It even won MotorTrend's 2022 Truck of the Year. But reliability has been a major weakness. Consumer Reports gave it a score of just 20/100, citing problems with charging, the EV battery, climate system, brakes, body hardware, and electronics. Early owners have also reported panel gaps, rattles, and uneven build quality.

As a brand, Rivian ranks at the very bottom of Consumer Reports' list, 22nd of 22, with a score of only 14/100. J.D. Power predicts below‑average reliability at 69/100. In stark contrast, MotorTrend and Car and Driver rank it at the top of their electric truck lists for performance and innovation. Owner reviews reflect this split. One driver called it a "cool truck let down by poor build quality." He praised the design, ride comfort, acceleration, and tech, but was frustrated by rattling doors, squeaky handles, misaligned panels, a weak sound system, noisy HVAC, and long service wait times. Rivian does offer strong coverage: a 5‑year/60,000‑mile comprehensive warranty, an 8‑year/175,000‑mile battery and powertrain warranty, and roadside assistance for five years.

The Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon are twins, midsize pickups built on the same platform, sharing engines and most components. Unfortunately, both scored just 15/100 in Consumer Reports' survey, tying them for second‑worst overall. Reported trouble spots include the engine, transmission, electronics, body hardware, and leaks. As brands, Chevrolet and GMC rank in the lower half of reliability studies: CR places them 16th of 22.

U.S. News & World Report places the Colorado 4th of 8 midsize pickups and the Canyon 3rd of 8. MotorTrend ranks the Colorado 2 out of 6 and the GMC Canyon 3 out of 6 in the best midsize pickup truck class. On Edmunds, the 2026 Colorado averages 3.6/5 stars. Drivers like its powerful 2.7‑liter turbo engine, off‑road trims like the ZR2, and overall ride quality. But many report serious reliability problems, including transmission failures within the first few hundred miles, electrical glitches, and poor build quality. Long repair times and cheap interior materials add to the frustration. The Canyon fares better, averaging 4.2/5 stars on Edmunds. Owners praise its upscale interior, quiet cabin, and strong engine, though some still report tech issues, rattles, and limited rear‑seat space. Both trucks come with standard coverage: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper‑to‑bumper and 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain. Chevrolet offers one year of free maintenance, while GMC includes five years of roadside assistance and one year of free maintenance.

At the very bottom of the list is the Ford F‑150 Hybrid, with a shockingly low reliability score of just 7/100 per Consumer Reports. While the F‑150 remains America's best‑selling vehicle, the hybrid "PowerBoost" version has struggled since its debut in 2021. Ford designed it to deliver more power and better fuel economy than a gas‑only engine. Still, Consumer Reports cites major problems with the hybrid battery, transmission, drive system, climate controls, electronics, and accessories. CR has called out the F‑150 Hybrid as the least reliable vehicle three years in a row, including 2022, 2023, and now 2024. Despite performing well in CR's road test, the hybrid's predicted reliability and owner satisfaction remain very low.

During Edmunds' long‑term test of the 2021 Ford F‑150 PowerBoost Hybrid, the truck proved capable but revealed several maintenance and reliability concerns. Technology problems were frequent, with the large center screen freezing, resetting, or going black, which left navigation, cameras, and CarPlay unusable until Ford replaced the module under warranty. Smaller issues included clogged windshield washer nozzles and clunky braking feel due to the hybrid system. Overall, the F‑150 Hybrid delivered strong performance and comfort, but its disappointing fuel economy, recalls, and recurring tech glitches undercut its promise of hybrid efficiency and modern reliability. Ford's warranty is standard: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper‑to‑bumper and 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain.