Over 380,000 American car owners just delivered a warning nobody can ignore. Consumer Reports’ 2025 reliability rankings reveal a shocking reality: even trusted brands are failing spectacularly.
The Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid scored a catastrophic 7/100, turning America’s best-selling truck into a potential financial nightmare for families. From hybrids to EVs, repair bills are climbing fast. Let’s dive into the 10 cars that fell hardest in this harsh new landscape.
How Consumer Reports Measures Real Reliability
Consumer Reports surveyed approximately 380,000 vehicle owners about 20 critical areas, including engines, transmissions, brakes, electrical systems, and suspensions. Scores are out of 100; anything below 20 is critically unreliable. This methodology has guided American buyers for nearly 90 years. The 2025 results reveal significant systemic failures, particularly in hybrid and electric vehicles. However, a closer look at the ten-year sales report hints at what was coming.
The Hybrid Problem Nobody Expected
Hybrids were meant to be ultra-reliable. Yet the Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid ranks dead last at 7/100. Ford Escape Hybrid scores 21/100. Owners report transmission failures, battery malfunctions, and electrical gremlins. Vehicles marketed as bulletproof are not. Hybrid buyers thought they were making a smart choice. Instead, they face costly repairs. The problem extends beyond Ford to other hybrid models as well.
Electric Dreams Meet Reliability Nightmares
EV adoption surged faster than quality control. Ford F-150 Lightning scores 28/100. Rivian R1T, priced at approximately $85,000, scores 18/100. Volkswagen ID.4 scores 29/100. Battery warnings, charging failures, and drivetrain problems are common. Out-of-warranty battery replacements cost $5,000 to $20,000. EV pioneers face financial headaches rather than the low-maintenance driving experience. Yet some EVs show promise, suggesting the technology can work if engineered carefully.
Why These Rankings Matter Today
This is not abstract data—it’s real money. Owners of unreliable vehicles spend 2-3 times more on repairs than reliable alternatives. Resale value drops fast. Warranty coverage expires in 3-5 years, leaving owners exposed to high repair bills. Insurance premiums increase. Reliable Toyota, Lexus, and Honda models score 70/100+. The choice today affects financial stability for years. Here are the 10 cars Consumer Reports flagged as least reliable.
Meet The Unreliable Ten
These 10 vehicles scored lowest in Consumer Reports’ 2025 assessment. Problems stem from hybrid and EV systems, rushed launches, structural flaws, and weak electrical designs. Prestigious brands are included alongside mainstream models. Price does not guarantee reliability. Owners report problems within 2-3 years. Below, each vehicle is broken down to show exactly what fails and why these patterns are critical for buyers to understand before purchasing.
#10 — Genesis G70 Sedan (29/100)
Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury brand, struggles with the 2025 G70 sedan. Electrical failures, transmission hesitation, infotainment crashes, steering issues, and climate control malfunctions frustrate owners. At approximately $37,000, buyers expect German-level reliability. Genesis brand scores 40/100 overall, but the G70 underperforms for a premium vehicle. Electrical gremlins appear in year one. Toyota Camry (72/100) remains a much more dependable alternative. The lesson in luxury reliability is clear.
#9 — Volkswagen ID.4 EV (29/100)
Volkswagen ID.4 promised accessible electric ownership but delivers frustration. Owners report charging system failures, battery management errors, and infotainment crashes. At approximately $38,000, buyers expected solid German engineering. VW brand scores 34/100 overall. Tesla Model Y (35/100) is also unreliable, while Hyundai Ioniq 6 (62/100) proves EVs can work when engineered properly. Yet the ID.4’s execution remains uneven. Buyers hoped for the future but got repair headaches.
#8 — Nissan Frontier Truck (27/100)
Nissan’s mid-size Frontier truck seems budget-friendly at approximately $30,000, but comes with major headaches. Owners report transmission shudders, engine knocking, suspension squeaks, and early brake issues. Nissan brand scores 41/100 overall, but Frontier consistently underperforms. Compared to the Toyota Tacoma, which costs more upfront, Frontier owners pay significantly more over five years in repairs. Budget savings turn into unexpected repair bills. The risk grows when comparing long-term durability.
#7 — Jeep Wrangler (27/100)
The Jeep Wrangler, a legendary off-roader, faces 2025 reliability issues. Owners report electrical failures, transmission hesitation, leaking soft tops, rattling hard tops, cracking interior plastics, and failing door locks. At approximately $35,000, buyers expected rugged dependability. Jeep brand scores 33/100 overall. Toyota 4Runner (67/100) offers better durability, resale value, and fewer repairs. Even iconic vehicles cannot survive reliability problems without reputational and financial consequences.
#6 — Jeep Grand Cherokee & Grand Cherokee L (22/100)
Jeep Grand Cherokee and L variants struggle with transmissions, electronics, and suspensions. Infotainment crashes, frozen backup cameras, and ineffective climate control are common. At approximately $40,000 to $50,000, families expect a trouble-free ownership experience. Jeep brand scores 33/100. Honda Pilot (71/100) or Toyota Highlander (75/100) offer reliable three-row alternatives. Repair visits start within six months. For SUV buyers, these vehicles demonstrate how quickly expectations collide with reality.
#5 — Ford Escape Hybrid (21/100)
Ford Escape Hybrid delivers fuel efficiency but sacrifices reliability. Owners report failures in hybrid systems, transmission glitches, electrical problems, and premature deaths of 12-volt batteries. Brake issues emerge early. At approximately $28,000, it initially appeared bright, but it isn’t. The non-hybrid Escape scores 32/100; the hybrid is far worse. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (73/100) shows that hybrids can be dependable. Ford’s push into hybrid powertrains came too fast for quality to catch up. The lesson: efficiency isn’t worth constant repairs.
#4 — Chevrolet Colorado & GMC Canyon (15/100)
These mid-size trucks are nearly identical, both scoring 15/100. Owners report transmission failures, engine problems, electrical gremlins, cracking bed liners, and snapping door handles. Brake issues appear within 2-3 years. Priced at approximately $30,000 to $35,000, they are supposed to be budget-friendly, but they fail catastrophically. Chevrolet and GMC brand scores (38/100 and 33/100) mask the severity. Toyota Tacoma proves mid-size trucks can be reliable. Buyers are paying the price for rushed launches.
#3 — Rivian R1T Electric Pickup (18/100)
The Rivian R1T, priced at approximately $85,000, ranks among America’s least reliable vehicles. Owners report electrical failures, battery management issues, and failed over-the-air updates. Suspension cracks, malfunctioning door handles, and software glitches plague the truck. Rivian brand scores 24/100, the worst among U.S. automakers. Early adopters face repair bills instead of pioneering the future. The R1T highlights how startup EVs struggle to scale quality control, even with revolutionary ambitions.
#2 — Chevrolet Colorado (Tied) & GMC Canyon Tie (15/100)
Redesigned for 2023, these trucks’ reliability collapsed. Owners report transmission shuddering, engine knocking, and electrical fires. Dealerships lack diagnostic protocols. Parts are inconsistent; warranty claims disputed. At approximately $30,000 to $35,000, owners expected vehicles that would last 10+ years. Instead, breakdowns occur within 2 years. Chevrolet and GMC leadership prioritized speed over reliability. Resale values collapse as word spreads. The market punishes vehicles that fail to deliver on expectations.
#1 — Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid (7/100)
The least reliable new vehicle in America, the Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid, scores 7/100. At approximately $55,000 to $65,000, owners face transmission failures, hybrid malfunctions, electrical fires, and engine issues. Some trucks fail before 30,000 miles. Ford brand scores 36/100 overall. Rushed hybrid powertrain launches have backfired spectacularly. The PowerBoost Hybrid exemplifies engineering and quality control failures at one of America’s oldest automakers. Toyota Tundra (68/100) offers a reliable alternative.
The Financial Reality Of Unreliable Ownership
Owning one of these vehicles means incurring $3,000–$8,000 higher repair costs over a 5-year period. EV battery replacements cost $5,000–$20,000; hybrid system repairs $1,500–$4,000; transmission replacements $3,000–$5,000. Insurance rises 15%–25%. Resale drops 20%–40% faster. Families buying the F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid today face financial losses compared to Toyota Tundra buyers. Repair costs can eclipse purchase savings. This is money that disappears quickly for owners of these flawed vehicles.
Consumer Reports Highlights Industry-Wide Patterns
2025 rankings reveal systemic failures: hybrid technology fails across Ford and Jeep, EV platforms from Rivian, Ford, Volkswagen launch prematurely, GM Colorado/Canyon face transmission issues, and electrical failures span brands. Consumer Reports notes that “quality still falls short of expectations.” Automakers rely on post-sale fixes that fail consumers financially. Reliability testing is being sacrificed for launch speed. Buyers see these consequences in repair bills and collapsing resale values.
Steps To Protect Yourself
Owners should immediately review warranty coverage and document every problem. Keep repair records, demand root-cause fixes, and seek written explanations for recurring issues. Lemon laws may allow returns or replacements. Contact the state Attorney General if defects persist. Join online owner forums to share information and coordinate complaints. Collective action increases pressure on automakers. Early intervention can protect your investment before financial damage becomes permanent.
Making Smarter Car Decisions
Now you know which 10 vehicles to steer clear of. Reliable alternatives exist: the Toyota Tundra instead of the F-150, the Toyota Camry instead of the Genesis G70, and the Honda Pilot instead of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Toyota, Lexus, Honda, and Acura consistently score 65 or higher out of 100. Reliability should outweigh brand loyalty or price discounts. The cheapest option today may prove to be the most expensive over the long term. Review Consumer Reports’ full rankings before signing paperwork. Your wallet and peace of mind will thank you.
Sources:
“10 Least Reliable Cars of 2026.” Consumer Reports, December 3, 2025.
“Consumer Reports Releases Its 2026 Automotive Brand Report.” Consumer Reports Press Release, December 1, 2025.
“Rivian Tops 2025 Owner Satisfaction but Scores Lowest in Reliability.” Electric Vehicles, December 4, 2025.
“Tesla Ranks Dead Last in Used Car Reliability Study.” Electrek, December 10, 2025.
“These Used Car Brands Are the Least Reliable, Report Finds.” Fox 13 Seattle, December 11, 2025.