Last Updated 2 years ago
Everyone talks about the most reliable car brands out there. But, isn’t it more important to know which brands are the most unreliable?
If you are looking to get a new car this year, this is something you’ve got to read.
Below we’ll tell you what the experts of Consumer Reports deem to be the least reliable brands on the road today. This will save you time and frustration as you make the shortlist for your next car.
The guys from Consumer Reports have surveyed and gathered the opinions of other drivers to create their report about Who Makes The Most Reliable Cars?
They’ve collected information about different car brands and models from 2000 to the most recent versions of 2024.
We all know by now that Asian cars are well-known for their reliability. It is not a surprise that the best-selling sedan is made by a Japanese company. But what might not be as popular to search is what car brands are the most unreliable. This information will help you to make a better and more informed decision before buying a new car of a specific brand.
Here are the 5 most unreliable car brands in the U.S. and why:
Jeep (Models: Compass, Gladiator)
The American brand now owned by Stellantis has been recognized for its off-road models and powerful 4×4 crossovers. However, these models have been reported to have some issues.
Users have reported having problems with their Jeep Compass on models ranging from 2007 to 2018. The most common issues are vehicles not starting, a condition occurring even on units with low mileage.
Grinding brakes and overheating transmissions on Compass CVT models are on the top list of complaints of many owners.
It looks to be a common problem in other models of Jeep. When researching for problems reported by users of the Jeep Gladiator, we can find some patterns…
Problems with the transmission overheating have been a common theme among users. So common that Jeep had to issue a recall for Gladiators manufactured from 2020 to 2023 because of the risk of pressure plates on manual transmission models overheating and brakes.
Brakes and suspension are also part of the recurrent problems in the Gladiator. Drivers have reported that the suspension tends to wear out faster than normal and the brakes can be noisy.
Despite all these issues, the Jeep Gladiator made it to the list of the Top Midsize trucks in the U.S. – It is worth knowing the two sides of the coin.
Volkswagen (Models: Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, ID.4)
Just last year, Volkswagen issued a recall for the Atlas and the Atlas Cross Sport due to an error in their production process. These models with the EA88 engine present excessive noise due to damaged connecting rods located in the pistons.
Besides the noise, oil leakage can be present and could result in vehicle fire.
On the other hand, the cross-over fully electric offered by Volkswagen has also been in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.
Users have complained about the bugs in the Infotainment system. Instead, they prefer to deal with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto directly by connecting their phones.
Other considerations to keep in mind are those using the directional arrows in the steering wheel as reported by Engine Patrol.
Rivian (Models: R1S, R1T)
As reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 2022 Rivian R1T and R1S present up to 7 recalls.
Just last month the California-based company issued a recall for 7,873 units of both models.
The problem? The accelerator pedal could not detect when the driver released it. This can cause the vehicle not to stop and crash with something – or someone!
And that’s not all, Rivian recalled the same models in February 2023 due to another safety issue. The sensor in the front passenger seat was reported misfunctioning and missing the accurate detection of a user. When this happens, the airbag won’t be activated in case of a car accident. This issue made the 2022 R1T and R1S fail to comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard: “Occupant Crash Protection.”
Mercedes-Benz (C-Class, EQS)
Surprisingly, the German luxury brand has appeared on this list. But by researching more about these two models, we can find a plethora of recalls.
Most of the recalls are for models manufactured in 2022 and 2023. Among the most frequent failure systems are the electrical system, the fuel system, and the steering.
In December 2023, Mercedes Benz issued a recall for C-Class models from 2021 to 2024 due to a loss of drive power – the last thing you want to happen to your sports car.
Around 79,000 vehicles were affected. If you own a C-Class year 2021 to 2024, you must go to your dealership to get the gas pump replaced right away.
Chrysler (Models: Pacifica, Pacifica Hybrid)
And the last position is for Chrysler with its minivan Pacifica and its hybrid version. A simple search on Reddit is enough to see the pile of comments of many users complaining about transmission issues that require replacement, engine noses, touchscreens delaminating, paint peeling off, faulty air conditioning systems, and the list goes on.
On another hand, this week USA Today reported a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid caught fire in Missouri. The report found customer complaints from December 2022 to December 2023 related to thermal issues.
The Conclusion
It is important to say that it is common to see defects in cars as they deteriorate. However, it is really helpful to know what brands have been issued more recalls than others and what type of defects they have reported.
A brand that has recalled vehicles due to noisy engines will be more reliable than a carmaker that issued a recall due to the risk of fire – That’s scary.