Consumer Reports Says One Of The Most American-Made Cars Is Also The Least Reliable

There are lots of potential benefits that come with purchasing American-made vehicles, not the least of which being that buying cars made in the U.S. supports local employees and domestic parts suppliers. However, some people consider American-made models to be less reliable than vehicles made primarily in foreign countries — a fact that's supported by data gathered by the consumer advisory group Consumer Reports. In late 2025, Consumer Reports created a list of the 10 least reliable cars of 2026, and a number of vehicles made by U.S.-based manufacturers pop up on the list. However, the No. 2 slot went to the 2026 Kia EV6, and despite the fact that Kia is a South Korean brand, some of this vehicle's lower-than-average reliability may be attributed to American manufacturing.

In fact, such a large portion of the EV6's makeup is manufactured in the U.S. that it was ranked the 10th most American-made vehicle in a 2025 study by American University (via AutoBlog). As part of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Kia is one of the largest vehicle manufacturers in the world, so its production extends far beyond the assembly plants based in its home country. In fact, Kia even has an active U.S.-based manufacturing plant located in Georgia. So, it's not a particular surprise that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 80% of the Kia EV6's components are sourced from the United States and Canada. Among its many pieces, the EV6's battery packs may be some of the most notable American-sourced parts.

Consumer Reports ranks the Kia EV6's predicted reliability near the bottom of its list of nearly a dozen other electric SUVs, only ranking it ahead of the Honda Prologue and Chevrolet Blazer EV. The nonprofit lists the EV6's powertrain as a significantly problematic area, and the vehicle's charging system has consistently ranked poorly across recent model years. Consumer Reports has also noted that electric models made by Kia and Hyundai have a reputation for unreliable charging, with up to 10% of people who drive one of these brands' EVs reporting problems like failure to achieve a full charge or a loss of power while driving. Past Kia EV6 models have even been recalled for problems with their charging units.

The EV6 also ranks poorly for its electrical accessories. These may include issues with the cruise control, USB ports, tire pressure monitors, or keyless entry system. The EV6's climate system also has extremely low ratings in two of the three most recent model years. This reputation is something of a departure for the brand, as Consumer Reports has also ranked some of Kia's other models among the best cheap and reliable cars you can buy.

Whether an electric car can save you money in the long run is up for debate, but domestic manufacturers are embracing them either way. American University's list of American-made vehicles is heavily populated by Tesla models, so the Kia EV6 was a bit of an outlier. However, that's not the only roundup to list the EV6 as an American vehicle in recent years: In its 2025 American-Made Index, Cars.com ranked the EV6 No. 6 behind only four Tesla models and the gas-powered Jeep Gladiator. 

Kia initially had the EV6 assembled in South Korea, but began producing most versions of the model from its Georgia plant in 2025. One of the primary reasons this model is so well-known for being made in the U.S. is the result of a recent change to Kia's supply line: For over a decade, Kia has sourced batteries from the Korean manufacturer SK On. SK On has since established several factories in Georgia, which means that a central component to the EV6's design is now being made in the same state as the car itself. 

In recent years, Kia-Hyundai has also made several moves that could see even more Kia models earn the American-made designation. In 2023, SK On and Hyundai-Kia announced they were working together to set up another battery production facility in Georgia, and the car manufacturers have only increased the volume of their battery orders in the years since that announcement. These efforts aren't surprising, as Hyundai also makes a best-selling EV that's great for retirees.