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This is a year-end list of things you don’t want your car to see.
Consumer Reports published its 2026 Automotive Report Card on Dec. 4, and its findings included a list of the least reliable cars for the coming year.
Kia and Mazda tied for the most entries on the list with two models each.
Consumer Reports said in a news release that its reliability predictions are based on data collected annually from car owners about problems that have occurred with their vehicles over the past 12 months. The consumer watchdog group said in its analysis that there was a higher weight in problem areas with problems that lead to expensive repairs.
Consumer Reports says reliability estimates are based on overall reliability for the past three model years. However, models redesigned in 2025 or 2024 will be evaluated based on one or two years of data. Consumer Reports said it analyzed data from about 380,000 vehicles and ranked the reliability of 26 different brands to come up with the final tally.
According to Consumer Reports’ 2026 Automobile Report Card, the least reliable cars on the market are:
Least reliable car in 2026, according to Consumer Reports
- Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid: Reliability – 26
- Honda Prologue: Reliability – 25
- For EV6: Reliability – 25
- For EV9: Reliability – 24
- Mazda CX-90: Reliability – 23
- Genesis GV60: Reliability – 21
- Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid: Reliability – 20
- Chevrolet Blazer EV: Reliability – 19
- Rivian R1T: Reliability – 18
- GMC Acadia: Reliability – 14
Year of the Car: See the final model
So who will make the most reliable cars in 2026?
Consumer Reports also published recommendations for the most reliable car manufacturers on the market in its annual report.
According to the report, the most reliable new cars are made by Japanese and German brands such as Toyota, Subaru and BMW.
USA TODAY Cars provides buying tips and vehicle reviews to help consumers make informed decisions when purchasing used or new cars.
Contributor: Charles Singh, USA TODAY
