Buying a New Car: Reliability Matters

When it comes to buying a new car, many buyers are focused on modern safety features, better fuel economy, and the latest infotainment gadgets. However, few consider the most important aspect of car ownership: freedom from breakdowns and repairs. Consumer Reports' annual Auto reliability survey has been helping buyers make informed decisions for years, covering over half a million vehicles. In this article, we'll dive into the survey's findings and explore which brands come out on top.

Where Do Problems Generally Crop Up?

Infotainment systems are often touted as a convenient addition to modern cars, but when they're done wrong, they can bring a big hassle. Consumer Reports' survey found that infotainment systems are a common source of problems, particularly with Honda's new Civic. The advanced transmission designs aimed at improving fuel economy have also proven troublesome, including those in the Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti qx60s. Additionally, the Dual clutch automatic system in the Ford Focus and Fiesta has been known to cause issues.

Asian Name Plates Dominate the Rankings

Asian name plates continue to dominate the rankings, with Toyota and Lexus taking the top two spots for the fourth year in a row. All Lexus models in the survey ranked above average, as did most Toyota models – except for the redesigned Tacoma pickup truck, which fell below average. This is a surprise, given Toyota's reputation for reliability. The third most reliable brand, however, isn't Japanese or German; it's GM's Buick. This is thanks to Buick's fleet of relatively mature designs that have worked out their bugs.

Audi Ranks Fourth

Audi has been enjoying years of above-average reliability, with its new Q3 and Q7 SUVs doing well in the survey. The brand rounds out the top five, solidifying Kia's spot as a reliable choice for buyers. Kia's products are typically more reliable than those from Hyundai, their sister company – but neither brand had a car that fell below average.

Brands at the Bottom

For the first time this year, two brands made it to the bottom of the reliability survey: Tesla and Fiat Chrysler. Tesla's Model S reliability returned to average after a few years of being ranked as one of the worst, while its Model X took the top spot for being the least reliable car in the survey. The overcomplicated motorized Falcon Wing doors deserve much of the blame.

Fiat Chrysler's Struggles Continue

Fiat Chrysler once again struggles to build reliable cars, with Dodge, Chrysler, Fiat, and RAM taking the last four spots. Not a single product from these brands managed to hit average in the survey. However, consumers can get exclusive reliability scores for over 300 models by checking out Consumer Reports' website.

In conclusion, when buying a new car, it's essential to consider not just modern features but also reliability. By looking at Consumer Reports' annual Auto reliability survey, buyers can make informed decisions and avoid models that are prone to breakdowns and repairs. Whether you're in the market for a new Honda Civic or an Audi Q3, this information will help you find a reliable car that meets your needs.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enbuying a new car can bring you modern safety features better fuel economy or the latest infotainment gadgets but buyers also hope that it brings them freedom from breakdowns and repairs thanks to subscriber responses covering more than a half a million Vehicles Consumer Reports annual Auto reliability survey tells you what cars do this best first where do problems generally crop up infotainment systems add a lot of convenience but when they're done wrong they could bring a big hassle this hit Honda hard especially with the new Civic some Advanced Transmission designs which aim to improve fuel economy have also proven Troublesome these include the Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti qx60s continuously variable transmissions and the Dual clutch automatic in the Ford Focus and Fiesta so which brands are the most reliable Asian name plates continue to dominate the rankings taking eight of the top 10 spots Toyota and Lexus are number one and two respectively topping the survey for the fourth year in a row all Lexus models in our survey rank above average we'd say the same about Toyota except the redesigned Tacoma pickup truck fell below average here's a surprise the third most reliable brand isn't Japanese and it isn't German it's GM's Buick whose rank was boosted by the Brand's Fleet of relatively mature designs that have their bugs worked out mind you newly introduced models like The Envision cascata and the redesigned lacrosse might affect this ranking next year number four is Audi which is has been enjoying years of above average reliability even their new Q3 and Q7 SUVs did well rounding up the top five Brands is Kia as we've seen Time After Time Kia's products are typically more reliable than those from their sister company Hyundai but neither brand had a car that fell below average so what brands are at the bottom for the first time this year with two models in our survey we can rank Tesla's brand reliability and it wasn't great Model S reliability returned to average but the model X was one of the worst cars in our survey its over complicated motorized Falcon Wing doors deserve much of the blame finally Fiat Chrysler once again struggles to build reliable cars Dodge Chrysler Fiat and RAM take the last four spots no Fiat or Ram product managed to even hit average in our survey for much more in reliability including exclusive reliability scores for over 300 models check out consumerreports.orgbuying a new car can bring you modern safety features better fuel economy or the latest infotainment gadgets but buyers also hope that it brings them freedom from breakdowns and repairs thanks to subscriber responses covering more than a half a million Vehicles Consumer Reports annual Auto reliability survey tells you what cars do this best first where do problems generally crop up infotainment systems add a lot of convenience but when they're done wrong they could bring a big hassle this hit Honda hard especially with the new Civic some Advanced Transmission designs which aim to improve fuel economy have also proven Troublesome these include the Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti qx60s continuously variable transmissions and the Dual clutch automatic in the Ford Focus and Fiesta so which brands are the most reliable Asian name plates continue to dominate the rankings taking eight of the top 10 spots Toyota and Lexus are number one and two respectively topping the survey for the fourth year in a row all Lexus models in our survey rank above average we'd say the same about Toyota except the redesigned Tacoma pickup truck fell below average here's a surprise the third most reliable brand isn't Japanese and it isn't German it's GM's Buick whose rank was boosted by the Brand's Fleet of relatively mature designs that have their bugs worked out mind you newly introduced models like The Envision cascata and the redesigned lacrosse might affect this ranking next year number four is Audi which is has been enjoying years of above average reliability even their new Q3 and Q7 SUVs did well rounding up the top five Brands is Kia as we've seen Time After Time Kia's products are typically more reliable than those from their sister company Hyundai but neither brand had a car that fell below average so what brands are at the bottom for the first time this year with two models in our survey we can rank Tesla's brand reliability and it wasn't great Model S reliability returned to average but the model X was one of the worst cars in our survey its over complicated motorized Falcon Wing doors deserve much of the blame finally Fiat Chrysler once again struggles to build reliable cars Dodge Chrysler Fiat and RAM take the last four spots no Fiat or Ram product managed to even hit average in our survey for much more in reliability including exclusive reliability scores for over 300 models check out consumerreports.org\n"