Consumer Reports Ranks Tesla, Dodge As Least Reliable Used cars

Consumer Reports asked its members who own five- to ten-year-old rides to share with the organization the problems they experienced during ownership. Bear in mind that even though the sample exceeded the 150,000 mark, not all models were included in this brand reliability ranking. Some were left out because there was insufficient data.

The five most reliable automotive companies that have been selling cars in the US since at least 2013 are Lexus, Toyota, Mazda, Acura, and Honda.

The ES, GS, GX, LS, and RX helped Lexus occupy the top spot. Toyota’s dependability champions, which placed it second in Consumer Reports’ ranking, are the 4Runner, Avalon, and Camry. Mazda’s Mazda3, Mazda6, and CX-3 enabled the Hiroshima-based marque to complete the top three most reliable automakers in the US.

Acura’s MDX and Honda’s Accord were the units that allowed the two companies to shine alongside their homegrown rivals.

The next five spots (six to 10) are occupied in consecutive order by the following brands: Buick, BMW, Subaru, Nissan, and Mercedes-Benz.

On the other hand, Tesla, Dodge, and Chrysler are at the absolute bottom of the ranking. The now-Texas-based EV maker (which currently is the world’s most valuable automaker) slots under Jeep in the 24th position because of the large number of problems Model 3, Model S, and Model X owners reported. Only Dodge and Chrysler are worse than Tesla.

Although this could paint a bad picture of Tesla’s approach to longevity (which should be a priority for a sustainable automaker), it’s worth noting that the brand went through a transformational period between 2017 and 2019, when the so-called “EV for all” was introduced. The Model 3 production ramp-up almost bankrupted the company if we are to believe what Elon Musk said four years ago.

However, Stellantis is the one most hurting. Four of its brands (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram) join Tesla in completing the top five least reliable car brands. Consumer Reports members do not appreciate the Pacifica, Durango, Cherokee, and Ram 1500 ownership experience at all.

While all this may sound like the only used cars you should consider going forward are those manufactured by Japanese automakers, it’s important to remember that owners may or may not have taken great care of their whips. Proper maintenance plays a key role in the longevity of any vehicle.

Still, the ranking provides us with an understanding of what the prices should look like on the used car market. If you plan on buying a slightly cheaper-than-average out-of-warranty car, it could be wise to avoid vehicles prone to having various issues. After all, you don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on repairs and deal with alternative transportation options.