Consumer Reports recently published the results of its annual reliability survey indicating the most and least reliable cars and brands of 2022. Included near the bottom of the list this year is Tesla, which ranked low due to issues with body hardware, steering, suspension, fit and finish, and more. However, five other car brands ranked even lower than the EV automaker, and they include:
1. Chevrolet
The fifth least reliable brand of 2022 is Chevrolet, and it comes just behind Tesla in rankings. According to Consumer Reports, some models on Chevy’s line-up still offer well above average reliability, with the Chevy Trailblazer at the top of the list. Behind it are the Chevy Blazer and the Chevrolet Corvette.
On the opposite end of the list are the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and two of the brand’s EVs, i.e., the Chevy Bolt and Chevy Bolt EUV. The fact that the 2023 Silverado 1500 already has a recall on it several months after it rolled off the line means the survey results were right on the money.
As for the Bolt EUV, which entered the market in March 2022, it didn’t take long for buyers to identify and have to deal with powertrain issues that might take some time to streamline. There are also minor problems with the EV’s electric system and in-car electronics.
2. GMC
GMC ranks lower than Chevrolet, with even its highest-ranking vehicle, the GMC Terrain, offering slightly below-average reliability. Other models, i.e., the GMC Acadia, GMC Sierra 2500HD, GMC Yukon, and GMC Sierra 1500, are worse off, with most of the line-up already on recall for the 2023 model year.
According to the website Cars, 2023 GMC Terrain models with ventilated front passenger seats have been recalled due to issues with the occupant classification system. As for the GMC Acadia, it’s been recalled due to illegible tire size information. After all, it could lead to accidents if you put in the wrong tire size when you replace them.
The Yukon’s recall has to do with daylight running lights not deactivating when they should, a problem it shares with the Sierra 1500.
Ultimately, most of this brand’s offerings don’t have the best reliability history, with the Sierra 1500 being the worst. It’s had reliability issues for at least a decade, with some recurring problem areas being the engine, transmission, drive system, and climate system.
3. Volkswagen
2022 Volkswagen Taos | Volkswagen of America, Inc. Newspress Limited
Released in October 2020, the Volkswagen Taos has one of the worst predicted reliability ratings on Consumer Reports. The fuel system, electric system, engine, transmission, drive system, in-car electronics, and body hardware are all problem areas for the SUV.
The Volkswagen Tiguan and electric Volkswagen ID.4 aren’t much better. Concerning the latter, some of the more recently identified issues include a short circuit that potentially leads to loss of driver power and leaking coolant.
Only two VW models offer close to average reliability: the Volkswagen Atlas and Volkswagen Jetta.
4. Jeep
While the Jeep brand is loved by many, its reliability history is terrible, even with some of its more popular models. Recurring trouble spots for the Jeep Wrangler, for instance, include the engine, cooling system, and electric system. For the Gladiator, the most prominent issues are in the transmission and drive system.
There is hope for lovers of the brand, with the Jeep Cherokee offering much more reliability than the others. That said, its predicted reliability is still only slightly above average.
5. Mercedes-Benz
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At the bottom of the pack is Mercedes-Benz, although Consumer Reports could only find enough survey data on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Mercedes-Benz GLE. Both offer well below-average reliability, with the GLE being especially problematic where the in-car electronics, power equipment, body hardware, and electric system are concerned.
Keyword: 5 Car Brands Less Reliable Than Tesla, According to Consumer Reports