Shopping for a new car is an exciting time, but knowing which brands to steer clear of can save you from a lot of future headaches. At CarEdge, we’re diving deep into the 2024 rankings from Consumer Reports, and complimenting their legendary work with our own car market updates from CarEdge Insights. Here’s a breakdown of the 10 least reliable car brands in 2024. If you buy one of these cars, you ought to have a car maintenance emergency fund at your disposal, or start getting quotes for extended warranty protection!
Looking for the MOST reliable car brands? Check those out here.
Contents hide
1 Consumer Reports’ 2024 Reliability Rankings: The Least Dependable Car Brands
2 The Least Dependable Car Brands Surprisingly Don’t Have Much In Common
3 Breaking Down Reliability by Powertrain
4 Want Free Car Buying Help?
Consumer Reports’ 2024 Reliability Rankings: The Least Dependable Car Brands
Consumer Reports provides an annual snapshot of car reliability, all based on data from over 300,000 vehicles that addresses 17 common trouble areas. The non-profit has been helping car buyers make smart choices for 88 years. In 2024, the CR rankings reveal a few brands that, well, might not be your best bet if reliability tops your priority list. For comparison’s sake, we’ve also included the number of recalls for each manufacturer, as of April 2024, via the NHTSA.
We hope you enjoy the real-time car market data we’ve included. Head over to CarEdge Insights for localized data that YOU can use to negotiate effectively.
The 10 Least Reliable Car Brands in 2024:
- Chrysler
- Predicted Reliability Score: 18/100
- Recalls: 17 (across all FCA brands)
- Average Selling Price: $47,818
- Market Supply: 151 days
- Mercedes-Benz
- Predicted Reliability Score: 23/100
- Recalls: 8
- Average Selling Price: $75,264
- Market Supply: 104 days
- Rivian
- Predicted Reliability Score: 24/100
- Recalls: 1
- Average Selling Price: est. $85,000
- (Tie) Volkswagen
- Predicted Reliability Score: 26/100
- Recalls: 4 (across all Volkswagen Group brands)
- Average Selling Price: $37,327
- Market Supply: 104 days
- (Tie) Jeep
- Predicted Reliability Score: 26/100
- Recalls: 17 (across all FCA brands)
- Average Selling Price: $50,918
- Market Supply: 171 days
- Volvo
- Predicted Reliability Score: 28/100
- Recalls: 1
- Average Selling Price: $58,901
- Market Supply: 165 days
- GMC
- Predicted Reliability Score: 36/100
- Recalls: 6 (across all General Motors brands)
- Average Selling Price: $61,434
- Market Supply: 95 days
- Lincoln
- Predicted Reliability Score: 38/100
- Recalls: 21 (across all Ford Motor Company brands)
- Average Selling Price: $62,707
- Market Supply: 151 days
- Ford
- Predicted Reliability Score: 40/100
- Recalls: 21 (across all Ford Motor Company brands)
- Average Selling Price: $51,167
- Market Supply: 127 days
- Dodge
- Predicted Reliability Score: 42/100
- Recalls: 17 (across all FCA brands)
- Average Selling Price: $46,822
- Market Supply: 193 days
👉 See local car market prices and trends with CarEdge Insights
The Least Dependable Car Brands Surprisingly Don’t Have Much In Common
From frequent breakdowns to excessive recalls, these brands show various signs of potential trouble for consumers. Surprisingly, the least reliable car brands are often expensive. With the likes of Mercedes-Benz, Rivian, and Lincoln on the list, it’s clear that when it comes to reliability, you don’t always get what you pay for.
Other than that, we see a mix of manufacturers from around the world on this unfortunate list. Stellantis, to no one’s surprise, has a heavy presence with Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge all ranking poorly.
High days of supply often indicate a surplus due to lower demand, which could be a red flag regarding public perception and reliability concerns. But in 2024’s high-interest, high-inflation market, there are plenty of other reasons why car shoppers may be walking back their purchasing plans.
👉 By the way, these are the 10 MOST reliable car brands, according to CR
Breaking Down Reliability by Powertrain
According to Consumer Reports, hybrid vehicles lead the pack in reliability. On average, hybrids experience 26% fewer problems compared to their gasoline counterparts, marking them as a top choice for those seeking dependability.
On the other hand, fully-electric vehicles tell a different story, facing 79% more issues than gasoline vehicles. However, they often are capable of receiving over-the-air updates to fix software-related issues. Plug-in hybrids experience even greater challenges, with a staggering 146% increase in problems compared to gas-powered cars.
Want Free Car Buying Help?
While it’s crucial to consider reliability, don’t forget to weigh other factors such as fuel efficiency, safety features, and overall cost of ownership. Check out our detailed CarEdge cost of ownership rankings to get a fuller picture.
Ready to outsmart the dealerships? Download your 100% free car buying cheat sheets today. From negotiating a deal to leasing a car the smart way, it’s all available for instant download. Get your cheat sheets today!
