You've Been Warned: Consumer Reports Says These Popular SUVs Are Also The Least Reliable

So, you've paid a fortune for a new SUV only to drive it off the lot, leave the dealer's sight, and hear sharp clicking noises. Then you mash the throttle, and the engine gasps for breath, lacking the push to merge onto the freeway. And no, the metallic click isn't your house keys rattling in the console cubby. It's because that lavish SUV came with a factory problem. How frustrating. Sometimes, these "minor" issues are just squeaky brakes, a loose trim, or maybe an untorqued bolt. But other times they're as serious as an oil leak, an engine stall, or the full replacement of an EV battery.

Out of the sea of SUVs on the market, a handful stand out as people's favorites, even when they've been labeled as the least unreliable and spend too much time back at the dealer for fixes. Some have been recalled over potential fire risks or for defective software that could cause a door to open unexpectedly — not as funny as it sounds. Despite that, people still flock to buy them. Call it "The Paradox of the Unreliable Purchase." To illustrate, Consumer Reports gave the Jeep Wrangler a low reliability score because of steering and in-car electronics issues, yet its strong resale value and powerful off-road credentials mean many buyers are willing to tolerate the repairs. A paradox, no doubt. Let's look at specific cases where Consumer Reports has handed SUVs terrible reliability scores, but for reasons that nobody understands, they continue to sell.

The Mercedes-Benz GLE is everything you'd want in a luxury family SUV. A badge with gravitas, a pampering cabin, and engines ranging from a mild-hybrid 2.0-liter turbo to punchy six- and eight-cylinder options. Inside, the usual Mercedes theater of ambient lighting, high-grade materials, and the MBUX dual-screen infotainment, with crisp graphics and voice assistant. On a good day, a lounge on wheels. On a bad day, that is where the facade cracks. Mercedes' own manuals and dealer guides detail how the MBUX system can freeze, crash, or misbehave, requiring resets or software updates. According to Consumer Reports testing, this SUV earns a predicted reliability rating well below average, listing it among the least reliable midsize SUVs in 2025. Problem areas reported by users include transmission, fuel and climate systems, brakes (a very dangerous one), and electrical accessories.

Besides, a March 2024 NHTSA recall covered no fewer than 116,020 U.S.-made GLE and GLS models with 48-volt mild-hybrid systems whose ground connections could loosen and potentially cause a fire. On the resale side, the GLE is average. Tolerable. CarEdge estimates a 48% depreciation after 5 years, but it might be way more, especially once high maintenance and repair costs are factored in. To add insult to injury, Republican tariffs are hitting Mercedes hard, meaning you can end up with a pricey, tariff-inflated deluxe SUV that CR thinks is one of the least reliable and that's sliding faster in resale than other mainstream rivals. So, luxury touch? Yes. Deluxe ownership experience? It depends on how you feel about warning lights and recall notices.

This Louisville-produced SUV, using a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with an electric motor, is supposed to be the sensible happy medium with a compact footprint, good fuel economy (39 mpg average), and familiar Ford driving. But on reliability, oh no. Consumer Reports scores the Ford Escape Hybrid just 21/100 — yes, not a typo — which makes it one of the very worst new SUVs on sale on the market. CR's members cite major issues with brakes, in-car electronics, and in certain cases even a full replacement of the hybrid battery. No problem if the car is still under warranty, but what happens once it expires? You'll face a big-ticket repair. In the last few years, the brand has been hit with multiple recalls. One of them dealt with engine failure and fire risks on some 2.5-liter hybrids and PHEVs, with the NHTSA noting hazards of engine block breaches and oil leaks onto ignition sources.

Another, issued by the NHTSA in May 2025, was associated with battery software updates and powertrain control issues that might lead to loss of motive power or incorrect fault detection in 2020-2024 Escape PHEVs. An extra one focused on digital instrument clusters and rearview camera images freezing or vanishing. None is ideal in a family SUV. Resale value is equally sobering. A CarEdge depreciation analysis in November 2025 suggests this Ford model loses a hefty 55% in a five-year period. For instance, an Escape's $35,685 ST-Line Select Hybrid would be valued at $16,058. That's a huge blow coupled with possible recalls, brake problems, and potential battery substitutions. All these predicaments, plus increasing prices, mean buying a Ford for less than $30,000 is harder than ever and might never happen again.

The Taos is VW's small crossover for buyers who want something tidier than a Tiguan but still tall. Under the bonnet sits an efficient 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (28-31 mpg). On the inside, modern, clean, minimalistic. It comfortably fits five people, with generous rear legroom, upholstery made of durable cloth, CloudTex, or leather (on the top-tier SEL model), heated front seats, Climatronic Touch, 10-color LED ambient light, and an 8-inch floating touchscreen display. But Consumer Reports is not enchanted at all. In its 2025 rankings, highlighted in Jalopnik as well, the Taos lands near the bottom of the small SUV segment with a reliability score categorized as "worse than average." Owners have reported problems with brakes, head gasket leakage, and in-car electronics. Also, complaints about jerky gearshifts, drivetrain hesitation, and random warning lights, apart from unpleasant noises.

Moreover, a 2023 NHTSA bulletin covers recurring engine management and stalling issues. Resale isn't sparkling either. Depreciation data shows a 54% value loss in five years, as per CarEdge, and a 48.1% calculated by iSeeCars. The Taos leans heavily on software. Digital instruments and a central touchscreen run VW's modern infotainment, with wireless smartphone integration and a suite of driver-assist tech. Cutting-edge when it works. When not, glitches, lag, and the occasional system resets make you long for old-fashioned knobs and buttons. If you live in one of the states with the best economies in the U.S., you can afford to be picky; there's plenty of choice and strong competition in the SUV market. The Taos drives nicely enough, no doubt. But Consumer Reports' verdict, plus the depreciation curve, suggests that your money and your sanity might be safer parked elsewhere.

Launched in 2021, the first German ID.4s arrived in the U.S. in March, and the American assembly began in July 2022 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It was Volkswagen's electric clean-slate moment. A family-friendly EV SUV with usable range (200-300 miles), a roomy cabin, and accessible pricing. Airy and pleasant, the interior featured a minimalistic dash and central touchscreen handling almost everything — drive modes, climate, navigation, and beyond. And that's where the problems started. Excessive reliance on software. The ID.4 scores a poor 29/100 on reliability by Consumer Reports, as its members point to headaches related to batteries, charging, electronics, body hardware, and climate control. In other words, most of the car. Let's review 1 of 11 recalls. In April 2023, VW recalled 16,207 units over faulty door handles that could allow doors to open while driving, prompting NHTSA filings.

Solution? Owners returned their cars for new handles and software updates to prevent accidental unlatching. When it comes to resale, the ID.4 behaves like many non-Tesla EVs: it sheds value fast. CarEdge notes this compact SUV will depreciate 63% after five years. Thus, an AWD Pro model with an 82 kWh battery and $48,995 MSRP would be worth $18,128. Breathe. iSeeCars calculates 62%; a little less. Keep in mind that EVs, in general, depreciate more steeply than hybrids and gasoline SUVs because of market competition, initial high prices, degradation of components, and the rapid strides in electric vehicle technology. The ID.4 might sound clever on paper, but it's pretty temperamental and overly dependent on software that isn't robust enough. To save thousands of dollars, this is the type of car you should only buy used unless you're comfortable being a beta tester.

For decades, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has been an aspirational Jeep. Imposing and high-tech, it's more refined than a Wrangler, more upmarket than a Cherokee, and today available as a plug-in hybrid 4xe with serious output and some electric range. With a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, it delivers around 375 hp and strong torque. Inside, a charming mid-price deluxe package that includes big screens, digital instruments, optional passenger display, leather, wood, and a pack of driver-assistance features. Now you understand why people sign up for chunky payments. Then, you look at the reliability data. Owners who have shared their experiences led Consumer Reports to give the Grand Cherokee and three-row Grand Cherokee L a grim 22/100 score. Among the least reliable new vehicles. Why? Because of failures in the drive system, engine electronics, steering and suspension, climate controls, noises, and leaks.

On their side, the plug-in variants add their own drama. In November 2025, the Associated Press reported that Jeep issued recalls for 320,000 4xe models (Grand Cherokee and Wrangler) over engine shutdowns, loss of power, and fire risks linked to the plug-in powertrain. NHTSA consumer alerts told owners to park outside and away from buildings until recall work is completed because of the chance that the high-voltage battery could ignite even when the vehicle is off. On resale, CarEdge says this Jeep will depreciate 54% in five years, Kelley Blue Book around 52%, and iSeeCars estimates 52.7%. It doesn't differ much from the standard Cherokee, which loses over 50% of its value by age, or the Wagoneer, also suffering from a terrible resale value. The entire clan seems to be on a depreciation spiral.

If there's one SUV you expect not to be unreliable, it's the Jeep Wrangler. An off-road hero, but a workshop regular. Launched in 1986, the Wrangler was designed to become a worthy scion of the bulletproof CJ series, but Jeep has let this robust all-terrain fall deep into the dark hole of poor reliability. Issues began around 2011 due to the shift into complex electronics and almost coincided with the brand's integration into Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), the precursor to the current Stellantis corporation. Not to blame, just saying. Consumer Reports' latest data gives this off-roader an awful 27/100 score, based on CR's member surveys, and also highlights that the JL generation (2018) has gathered 14 recall campaigns since its first model year. This is not exactly confidence-inspiring for something marketed as indestructible. Incredibly, the Wrangler still looks irresistible with a 2.0-liter turbo four, a 3.6 V6, the wild 6.4 V8 in the Rubicon, or the 4xe plug-in hybrid.

The boxy body, removable doors, and ladder frame are a love letter to old-school off-roading, along with improved sound insulation. The problem is everything after the honeymoon, including issues across steering, suspension, in-car electronics, and those all-important noises and leaks that can drive you mad on a daily commute. In addition, Jeep has been firefighting, literally, with its plug-in version — over 375,000 vehicles recalled because high-voltage battery problems could cause fires. Here's the twist. Despite its reliability horror stories, the Wrangler is a resale monster. iSeeCars estimates a 35.6% five-year depreciation, while CarEdge only 29%. Quite a contradiction. An off-road SUV which Consumer Reports holds near the bottom of the pile, yet one that buyers continue flocking to, and one that used-car shoppers keep paying strong money for.

The Wrangler is the lovable rogue. The Compass, the awkward cousin. Consumer Reports has had it in the crosshairs for years. Back in 2021, a breakdown of CR data cited the Compass with a reliability score of 21/100. Meaning if you valued your peace of mind, you should avoid it. Since then, Jeep has tried to clean up its image. In 2024-2025, Consumer Reports' view of the Compass has softened a smidgen to "average reliability" across recent model years, though noting that owner feedback remained mixed. Mechanically, the 2023-on Compass at least looks more serious than the miserable early versions. According to Jeep dealer write-ups in April 2025, current models use a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and an eight-speed automatic, paired with all-wheel drive. Reasonably brisk in town, but far from being a rocket on freeways.

Doors open to reveal a respectable-looking cabin with a 10.1-inch Uconnect touchscreen, digital cluster on higher trims, and a decent spread of active-safety tech, from lane-keeping assist to automatic emergency braking. Scratch the surface, though, and the old Jeep narrative creeps back in. The NHTSA report omn the vehicle warns about potential powertrain and software gremlins, plus drivability issues, stalling incidents, and warning lights on some 2023-2024 models. Owners will be depressingly familiar with the "software update required" phrase. Resale? Well, it depends on mileage and condition. But in general, CarEdge and iSeeCars suggest the Compass loses value faster than the Wrangler but not so catastrophically (44% and 46.1% respectively in five years). Without sugarcoating, the Compass is the low-cost path to get into a Jeep that Consumer Reports has repeatedly warned buyers about.

The modern Chevrolet Blazer looks like a Camaro put on hiking boots and genuinely appealing from the driver's seat. In its ICE (internal combustion engine) form, you can see a 2.0-liter turbo four or a 3.6 V6, both paired with a slick nine-speed automatic. The steering is crisp, the ride is on the firm side of comfortable, and the cabin, nice, with a big central touchscreen, digital instruments, the usual GM adaptive cruise control, and a bunch of active-safety aids. Then the mischief-makers arise. In 2023, GM paused sales of the Blazer EV altogether after serious software malfunctions, as reported by CNN, with owners experiencing blacked-out screens, charging troubles, and drivability glitches. Consumer Reports cut its recommendation for that model after it received a reliability score of just 33 out of 100 because of additional transmission, brake, build quality, body hardware, and paint issues.

For the Blazer EV, an analysis from June 2025 was even worse, with this SUV earning 1 out of 5 in reliability, the lowest band on the scale. Besides, there are two recall campaigns in the Blazer EV's very first model year, a red flag for a vehicle that's barely out of the wrapper. By mid-2025, an NHTSA report showed other recalls related to software faults affecting the instrument clusters and braking functions, forcing over-the-air fixes and dealer visits. If you still have one, data from iSeeCars paint a 49.7% depreciation in 60 months. Which is a cruel twist, since the 2023 Colorado savors a 66.5% retention in five years and the 2023 Silverado HD 67.8%. For the Blazer EV, CarEdge claims it will depreciate 60% after half a decade — given that the mileage is around 67,500.

Huge, plush, and thirsty, the GMC Yukon stands as the archetypal American family bus. You'd hope that a model starting at $69,200 (or $103,300 for the top-tier Denali Ultimate) would have reliability as a given. Not quite. Consumer Reports has scored both the Yukon and the Yukon XL 28 out of 100, putting them on the wrong side of average for full-size SUVs. In terms of mechanics, the Yukon is old-school — in the best and worst senses. Models can come with a 5.3-liter, 6.2 V8, or the 3.0-liter Duramax diesel (for more torque power), all paired with a 10-speed automatic. And on the inside, the latest generation includes three rows, a big central touchscreen, digital driver display, air suspension, and Super Cruise on higher trims. Edmunds and Car and Driver both praise the space and comfort but note that the tech can be laggy and some interior plastics don't match the price tag.

Reliability concerns have zeroed in on the engine bay. In April 2025, Reuters reported that GM was recalling around 721,000 vehicles, including several model years of the Yukon, over a potential engine failure risk linked to valve train components. Also, an NHTSA bulletin filed in May 2025 lays out the peril of engines losing power or failing outright, a nightmare you don't want to be in when merging onto a freeway. On the resale side, CarEdge indicates that Yukons depreciate 55% in five years — it could be worse — yet it's an ocean apart from the Toyota Sequoia, which only loses 37% over the same period. With figures, a 2023 Yukon at $59,104 will be worth $28,802 in 2027, as calculated by KBB.

At least on paper, this SUV is exactly what car nerds asked for. A handsome rear-biased three-row with a posh cabin and a plug-in drivetrain. In reality, Consumer Reports' readers have used it as an example of "How Not To Launch A Complex New Model." For CR, the CX-90 is among the least reliable midsize SUVs, with owners reporting troubles with steering/suspension, climate, transmission, in-car electronics, electrical accessories, and the EV battery. Everything but the tires and seats. Autoevolution's analysis of CR data went further and stated that the CX-90 and its CX-70 twin carry a predicted reliability score of 1 out of 5 — the rock bottom of the scale. Also, CR mentioned that the 2024 CX-90 has already accumulated several recalls across its various powertrains — a lot of trips back to the dealer.

A 2024 NHTSA filing flagged software that might lead to unexpected loss of motive power, forcing Mazda to update control modules to stop the SUV from giving up mid-journey. In November 2024, Mazda issued another call-back for further software glitches affecting driver-assistance systems. Automotive Fleets added more details, like problems with automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control that could cause the CX-90 to brake unexpectedly to match vehicles in adjacent lanes. By late 2025, no fewer than 11 recall actions had touched the CX-90. Resale is still a big question mark. Early forecasts from CarEdge suggest that first-generation buyers are likely to eat heavier losses because of a 53% depreciation after five years. Meaning, a 2024 CX-90 new model valued at around $55,700 would sell for $23,904. Definitely, among cars you should only buy used to save money.