Least Reliable Cars: Not American Made, Not Japanese Made, but European Made

According to CNNMoney.com, Consumer Reports just rolled out its reliability ratings on some 2007 models. Among 47 most reliable vehicles, 6 are from US auto makers (3 from Ford, 3 from GM, none from Chrysler), continuing the recent trend of making reliable cars (building reliable, fuel efficient cars, or at least “relevant” ones, is the right thing to do and don’t beg for help when you can’t compete). Overall, Japanese cars are still the ones to beat, taking 39 spots in the most reliable list. Surprisingly, the least reliable cars are European made, as 19 out of 45 most unreliable cars are from Europe.

Here’s the list of the most/least reliable cars in 10 categories. I am surprised to see that Honda Odyssey didn’t make to the most reliable mini van list, given its reputation in safety and reliability.

Most Reliable Small Car

Most reliable (Best score first)

1. Honda Fit
2. Toyota Yaris
3. Honda Civic Hybrid
4. Toyota Corolla

Least reliable (Worst score first)

1. Chevrolet Cobalt
2. 2006 Nissan Sentra
3. Volkswagen Jetta (5 cyl.)
4. Chevrolet Aveo

Most Reliable Family Car

Most reliable

1. Honda Accord Hybrid
2. Toyota Prius
3. Honda Accord (4-cyl.)
4. Ford Fusion
5. Mercury Milan

Least reliable

1. Volkswagen Passat (4 cyl.)

Most Reliable Upscale/Large Car

Most reliable

1. Lexus ES350
2. Lincoln Zephyr
3. Hyundai Azera
4. Acura TSX
5. Acura TL

Least reliable

1. Jaguar X-type
2. Chrysler 300 (V8)
3. Saab 9-3

Most Reliable Luxury Car

Most reliable

1. 2006 Lexus LS
2. Infiniti M

Least reliable

1. Cadillac STS (V8)
2. 2006 Mercees-Benz S-class
3. Mercedes-Benz CLS
4. Mercedes-Benz E-class sedan
5. BMW 7-series
6. Jaguar S-type

Most Reliable Sport/Sporty car

Most reliable

1. Lexus SC
2. Toyota Camry Solara (4-cyl.)
3. Subaru Impreza WRX
4. Honda S2000
5. Mitsubishi Eclipse
6. 2006 Mini Cooper hatchback

Least reliable

1. Pontiac Solstice
2. Mercedes-Benz SL
3. Mercedes-Benz CLK
4. Mercedes-Benz SLK (V6)
5. Chevrolet Corvette
6. Porshce 911 Carrera
7. Ford Mustang (V6)

Most Reliable Wagon/Minivan

Most reliable

1. Pontiac Vibe
2. Scion xB
3. Toyota Matrix
4. Toyota Sienna

Least reliable

1. Buick Terraza
2. Chevrolet Uplander
3. Saturn Relay
4. Nissan Quest

Most Reliable Small SUV

Most reliable

1. Toyota FJ Cruiser
2. Honda Element
3. 2006 Honda CR-V
4. Toyota Rav4
5. 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander
6. Subaru Forester

Least reliable

1. Kia Sportage

Midsized SUVs

Most reliable

1. Toyota Highlander Hybrid
2. Toyota 4Runner
3. Toyota Highlander
4. Honda Pilot
5. Lexus RX400 (hybrid)
6. 2006 Acura MDX

Least reliable

1. Mercedes-Benz M-class
2. Land Rover LR3 (V8)
3. Cadillac SRX (V8)
4. Mercedes-Benz R-class
5. Volkswagen Touareg
6. Jeep Grand Cherokee
7. Hummer H3
8. 2006 BMW X5 (V8)
9. Volvo XC90 (I6 and V8)
10. Ford Explorer (V8)
11. Mercury Mountaineer (V8)

Large SUVs

Most reliable

1. Toyota Land Cruiser
2. Lexus LX
3. Toyota Sequoia
4. Chevrolet Tahoe
5. GMC Yukon

Least reliable

1. Nissan Armada
2. Infiniti QX56
3. Lincoln Navigator
4. Hummer H2

Pickups

1. Subaru Baja
2. Toyota Tundra
3. Toyota Tacoma
4. Nissan Frontier (V6)

Least reliable

1. Nissan Titan
2. Ford F-250 (diesel)
3. Dodge Dakota (4WD)
4. 2006 Cadillac Escalade EXT

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