The reality of electric vehicle reliability: Consumer Report’s annual auto reliability survey

Yonkers, NY — Consumers are buying electric vehicles in growing numbers, but poor reliability remains an issue, according to the latest Annual Auto Reliability Survey data from Consumer Reports (CR), the nonprofit research, testing, and consumer advocacy organization. Electric pickups in particular are the least reliable category of vehicles. 

On average, new electric cars have 79% more disruptions than ICE cars. Plug-in hybrid electric cars (PHEVs) fare even worse, with an average of 146% more disruptions. Hybrids, on the other hand, remain positive. According to the CR survey, they have an average of 26% fewer disorders than ICE cars.

“EVs are still in their relative infancy as mainstream vehicles, so it’s really not surprising that manufacturers, by and large, are still working out the kinks,” said Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing at Consumer Reports. “That said, we are seeing signs of movement in the right direction. And as our data has consistently shown, reliability-minded consumers would be best served by forgoing brand new vehicles in their first model year.”

The effects of the CR survey were announced at an online press conference in collaboration with the Detroit-based Automotive Press Association.

The most trusted car logos are based in Asia. Lexus and Toyota hold the top two spots in the CR logo rankings for 2023. Five other Japanese or Korean logos are among the top ten this year, joined by Mini’s German trio Porscheand BMW.

Other highlights from CR’s influential annual report include:

Every year, CR asks its members about potential trouble areas they’ve had with their vehicles in the previous 12 months. This year’s survey covers 20 problem areas including engine, electric motors, transmission, in-car electronics, and more. CR uses that feedback from consumers to predict reliability ratings for new cars from every major mainstream model. This year, CR gathered data on more than 330,000 vehicles from the 2000 to 2023 model years, with a few newly-introduced 2024 models.

“Even with monumental adjustments in the automotive market, the most important issues for consumers remain the same: locating safe and reliable cars,” said Marta L. Tellado, President and CEO of Consumer Reports. ” Our annual Automotive Reliability Report guides car buyers to the highest productive and cost-effective choices for their lives. This is knowledge that you can accept as true to decide on the car you can trust.

The number of new hybrids, PHEVs, and EVs being added continues to rise. In the last five years alone, the percentage of hybrid and electric cars CR buys for its fleet has increased from 12% in 2018 to 56% in 2023. As a result, CR this year added three new individual challenge spaces to its electrified vehicle reliability survey: electric motor, EV/hybrid battery, and EV charging. This will provide a clearer picture of challenges similar to those of those different groups of drivers.

Forecasts for 2024 styles are based on each year’s overall reliability for the past 3 years, as long as the style has not been redesigned at that time. If there isn’t enough knowledge about a style for a given style year, CR uses the logo’s reliability score. to complement the predictions of the new car of that style. Due to adjustments to this year’s survey questions and methodology, direct comparisons cannot be made to logo trustworthiness knowledge from previous years.

Consumer Reports’ research on the reliability of new cars is a key component of the overall CR score, which is a holistic rating that helps consumers locate cars that deliver on their promises and last. The overall score also includes checking driving performance, the owner’s effects satisfaction survey, whether a vehicle is supplied with key active protection systems as standard, and crash check effects, if applicable.

CR Moves Forward with Overall Impact Security Score Changes

Starting with the 2024 design year, CR deducts two emissions from the overall scores of cars that do not feature automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection as standard. Bonus issuances will be awarded on a sliding scale based on a vehicle’s functionality in the IIHS AEB Vehicle. -Pedestrian Testing.

In addition, 2024 model year cars supplied with Active Driver Assistance (ADA) formulas will lose a point if they do not have a good enough Direct Driver Monitoring (DDMS) formula. This means a vision-based detection formula that well and directly detects the driver’s eye and/or head movements. If the formula detects that the driver is not paying attention, it should take into account the expanding warnings to elicit driver involvement. If the driver does not respond to the warnings, the ADA formula will have to remain activated and reduce the vehicle’s speed in a controlled manner. Bonus issues will continue to be awarded to styles with a good enough DDMS.

“We continue to take advantage of the transparent protection benefits of ADA systems, but there are also risks that are not worth overlooking, namely overreliance through controllers and overestimation of the functions of those systems,” Fisher said. “Proper DDMS is a must. ” “They have protection and we hope to incentivize automakers to make them standard, as they are increasingly doing with other key protection systems such as AEB with pedestrian detection. “

Different EVs Experiencing Different Problems

The problems facing cars are still evident in CR’s most recent survey. Electric cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks are among the least reliable vehicle categories.

Tesla Motors, the market leader in electric vehicle sales, continues to have disorders in the bodywork, paint and trim, as well as in the air conditioning formula of its models, but it does not pose as many disorders for the engine, charging and battery. At No. 14, Tesla is the second-highest-ranked domestic automaker in CR’s logo rankings. The Model 3 and Model Y have average reliability, while all other Tesla models, the S and X, are all below average.

Some EV models from other brands reported fewer build-quality-like issues, but higher rates of powertrain, battery, and charging issues. This suggests that classic automakers want more time to fix problems under the hood of their EVs, while Tesla faces problems under the hood. One bright spot is Ford’s Mustang Mach-E, which has shown enough innovations in its EV battery and charging formula to now rank average in terms of expected reliability and is eligible for CR’s recommendation.

Hybrids shine, PHEVs both

This year’s CR survey shows that hybrids are becoming more reliable, but plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are less so. On average, hybrids are 26 percent more reliable than vehicles with only an internal combustion engine, but PHEVs are 146 percent less reliable. PHEVs combine conventional engines with an electric drive. The added complexity means that there’s more that can go wrong with them.

“Hybrids continue to outperform electric and combustion cars in terms of reliability, even though hybrids are more complex with gas engines complemented by an electric powertrain,” Fisher said. “That’s because the hybrid generation is now more than 25 years old and is basically presented through the top trusted automakers. “

The Toyota Camry and Toyota Highlander SUV are among the most reliable vehicles in CR’s survey, and their hybrid versions also rank among the most sensible on the list. In contrast, many PHEVs are less reliable than their traditional counterparts, such as the below-average Audi. Q5 and Chrysler Pacifica PHEV.

Lexus and Toyota are Cream of the Crop in Strong Showing for Asian Brands

Of the ten most trusted brands, seven are based in Asia, with Lexus and Toyota occupying the two most trusted spots. Acura ranks fourth this year, followed by Honda in fifth. Subaru sixth, Mazda seventh and Kia rounded out the top 10. .

Only one Lexus model, the NX, has predicted average reliability, due to minor transmission, power accessories, and car electronics issues reported through owners. The NX Hybrid, ES, ES Hybrid, RX, and RX Hybrid are all above average, while the UX is well above average.

Toyota’s 4Runner is the most reliable model in the CR survey. The Toyota with a below-average score is the Tundra, with owners reporting issues with the bodywork, paint and trim, car electronics, and brakes. The Crown, new for 2023, is average, as are the Sienna and bZ4X EV. The redesigned Prius and Prius Prime are well above average, respectively. All other Toyotas are above average and the Camry Hybrid, Camry, and RAV4 Prime are well above average.

Fourth-ranked Acura’s RDX and TLX both have above-average reliability, and the MDX and Integra—which are recent redesigns—are both average. MDX owners reported issues with the in-car electronics and paint & trim.

Most Hondas score average, including the Passport, Pilot, Odyssey, CR-V Hybrid, Ridgeline, Accord, and Civic. The Accord Hybrid and CR-V are above average, and the HR-V is outstanding. Pilot owners reported issues with body hardware and paint & trim, while Odyssey and Passport owners reported in-car electronics and electrical accessories issues.

Subaru, ranking sixth, hit some snags with its Solterra EV. Owners say they experienced problems with charging, while the Outback and Legacy have in-car electronics issues, and the Ascent SUV has climate system and brake problems, though all rate average for reliability. The BRZ, WRX, Forester, and redesigned Crosstrek score above-average. 

Mazda, seventh, has all its models in the above-average reliability class: MX-5 Miata, 3, CX-50, CX-30 and CX-5.

All Kia (10th place) models score average or better. The Sportage Plug-in Hybrid is well-above average, and the Carnival, Forte, Niro, and K5 are all above average. The EV6 is average, as some owners reported issues with EV charging, while Sorento and Soul owners noted some transmission problems. All other Kia’s are average.

Most of Hyundai’s 11th-ranked models are average or above average. But the Ioniq five EV scores below average, with owners reporting charging issues, as well as issues with the EV’s battery and air-conditioning formula. Palisade, Ioniq 6, Tucson and Elantra are above average. The Venue, Santa Cruz, Elantra Hybrid, Tucson Hybrid, and PHEV and Sonata are in the middle.

Infiniti’s Q50, QX50 and QX60 models (13th place) achieved the expected reliability.

Nissan ranks 17th and offers two below-average models, the Pathfinder and the Frontier. The new Ariya EV is above average, and the Kicks, Altima, Murano, Leaf, Rogue, and Sentra are all average. Pathfinder and Frontier reported build quality issues as well as transmission issues for the Frontier.

The No. 18 Genesis is a mixed bag: the GV80 and GV70 SUVs have below-average scores, while the GV60 EV, G70, and G80 are all average. Owners of the GV70 have reported to CR about issues with the fuel formula, handling formula, and bodywork.

Mixed Stock Exchange for Europe

Mini is this year’s most reliable European brand, ranking third overall. Both the Cooper and Cooper Countryman scored above average reliability. BMW, its corporate cousin, ranked 9th. The X5 is one of the 10 most reliable models in the survey. The X3, 4 Series, and 2 Series are above average. All other models are average, including the i4 and iX EVs, X5 Plug-in Hybrid, the 3 series, X1, and X7. BMW i4 is average, although some owners reported EV charging issues.

Porsche landed in the number eight spot. The Cayenne and Macan SUVs, both score above-average.

The Audi A5, ranked 19th, performed above average, while the A3, Q7, Q4 E-Tron, Q8 E-Tron, A6, Q3, Q8, Q5, and A4 are all average. The Q5 PHEV is below average and has issues with the EV motor and EV charging, as well as issues with the climate formula.

The Volvo XC60 and XC90 (25th) remain below average, followed by the XC60 PHEV. However, the XC40 and S60/V60 are averagely reliable. Owners of the XC60 have had issues with the brakes, on-board electronics, air conditioning system, and electrical accessories. Owners of the XC60 PHEV have reported most of those disruptions, as well as issues with the EV’s battery and charging formula.

Volkswagen landed in 27th place. Every model in its lineup has below average predicted reliability. The Taos is one of the least-reliable vehicles in the survey, with owners noting issues with the brakes, electrical accessories, transmission, engine, electric system, in-car electronics, and noises & leaks.

Mercedes-Benz is the lowest-ranked European brand, in 29th place. All of their models are below or well below average. The GLE has air-conditioning formula and build quality issues, adding hardware to the frame, electrical fixtures, and noise and leaks.

Few Bright Spots for Domestics

In 12th place, Buick is the highest ranked domestic automaker. The Enclave, Encore GX, and Envision are average, with body hardware issues. The Encore GX also has climate system and in-car electronics problems.

Ram landed in the middle of the pack in 15th place. Its 1,500, 2,500, and 3,500 models had the expected average reliability. Owners of all 1,500 reported in-car electronic messes, and some CR members with 2,500 heavy-duty trucks reported problems with the transmission and electrical accessories.

All Cadillac models (ranked 16th) in CR’s survey have average reliability. It should be noted that XT5 homeowners have reported problems with the brakes and exhaust.

The redesigned Chevrolet Blazer (20th place), Colorado, Tahoe, Suburban and Silverado 1500 have below-average expected reliability. The Corvette, Equinox, Trailblazer and 2500HD/3500HD trucks are all average. Silverado 1500 owners have reported primary engine problems with vertical stripes, paint and trim, as well as on-board electronics.

Dodge ranks 21st in logo ratings this year. The Durango is averagely rated.

Ford’s scores in the second position cover a wide range. The Maverick and Edge are above average, while the F-150, F-150 Lightning, Escape, Bronco, Bronco Sport, and Explorer are all below average. The F-150 Hybrid is among the least reliable models, with scores well below average. Hybrid and F-150 Lightning homeowners have reported issues with their EV/hybrid batteries, while F-150 hybrid homeowners have also had issues with the transmission, drivetrain, and exhaust.

The Aviator is below average and the Corsair is average, with owners noting body issues, noise, and leaks.

GMC’s (24th place) Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and redesigned Canyon are below average, while the Sierra 2500/3500HD trucks and Terrain are average. Sierra 1500 owners also report major engine issues with the lifters, as well as paint & trim and in-car electronics.

The Compass is the Jeep (26th in the ranking) with average reliability. The Gladiator, Renegade, Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, and Grand Cherokee L are all below average. Grand Cherokee owners have reported issues with the suspension, electrical accessories, propulsion system, and onboard electronics. , bodywork, as well as noise and leaks.

EV automaker Rivian’s R1T and R1S (28th place) score below average. Owners of the R1T have reported to CR about issues with the powertrain, air conditioning system, chassis hardware, and EV charging.

Chrysler ranks last in this year’s rankings, at No. 30. The Pacifica is average, however, the Pacifica Hybrid is the least reliable car on the list, with owners reporting issues with the electric/hybrid battery, electric charging, driving system, and onboard electronics.

CR had enough knowledge to create logo ratings for Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lucid, Maserati, Mitsubishi, and Polestar.

For more information on CR’s 2023 #CRCarReliability findings, visit CR.org/reliability or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @consumerreports.

About Consumer Reports’ Annual Automotive Reliability Surveys

Consumer Reports’ latest annual automotive reliability surveys collected car owner data on more than 330,000 cars from the 2001 to 2023 and early 2024 design years. CR’s reliability predictions are based on the overall reliability of the last three years of design, provided the vehicle has not been redesigned. A year or two of insights will be used if the design is redesigned in 2023 or 2022. CR bases its reliability forecasts on data collected from car owners about the challenges they’ve experienced with their vehicle over the past 12 months. The CR statisticians, researchers, and evaluators then analyzed the challenging spaces and created an overall reliability score for each style and year. Spaces with serious challenges that can lead to costly maintenance are more important. More data can be found in www. CR. org.

Founded in 1936, CR’s project is to create a fair and equitable market for all. Widely known for our rigorous research and testing of products and services, we also survey millions of customers annually, report extensively on market issues, and advocate for customer rights and rights. coverage around security, as well as virtual rights, monetary equity, and sustainability. CR is independent and not-for-profit.

Tags: Consumer Reports Electric Vehicles

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