Consumer Reports Releases 2011 Car Reliability Survey
Ford took a beating, dropping from 10th to 20th place mainly due to problems with their MyFord Touch system and dual-clutch transmissions.
Chrysler was the big surprise, improving their rankings considerably thanks to the Chrysler 200, Dodge Durango, and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Consumer Reports gets their data from surveys submitted by 1.3 million vehicle owners who subscribe to the magazine.
It is the largest consumer survey of vehicle owners, but some industry analyst claim the data can be biased and unfair.
Case in point: many of the Ford reliability issues came about from problems experienced with the MyFord Touch system - not related to driving dynamics or mechanical issues.
Below is a list of the best and worst vehicles by brand based on predicted reliability. Models with an asterisk (“*”) are based on data for one model year only.
Make |
Worst model |
Best model |
Scion |
xB |
xD |
Lexus |
IS Convertible* |
CT 200h* |
Acura |
TSX |
TL (FWD) |
Mazda |
CX-9 |
MX-5 Miata |
Honda |
Odyssey* |
CR-Z* |
Toyota |
Sienna (AWD)* |
Highlander (4-cyl.) |
Infiniti |
G Convertible |
QX56* |
Subaru |
Tribeca* |
Forester (non-turbo) |
Nissan |
Z |
Titan* |
Volvo |
XC90* |
C70* |
Hyundai |
Santa Fe (V6) |
Elantra Wagon |
Kia |
Sedona |
Optima* |
Jeep |
Wrangler (4-door) |
Patriot |
Lincoln |
MKX (FWD)* |
MKZ Hybrid* |
Chrysler |
Town & Country |
200* |
Volkswagen |
Routan |
Golf TDI |
Chevrolet |
Silverado 2500* |
Volt* |
Mercedes-Benz |
GL-Class |
C-Class (RWD) |
BMW |
550i* |
X3* |
Ford |
Edge (AWD)* |
Fusion Hybrid |
Dodge |
Ram 2500 (turbodiesel) |
Caliber |
GMC |
Sierra 2500* |
Sierra 1500 (V6, 2WD) |
Mini |
Cooper Clubman S |
Cooper Hatchback |
Buick |
LaCrosse (AWD)* |
Enclave (FWD) |
Cadillac |
Escalade* |
CTS (V6, RWD) |
Audi |
Q5 (V6) |
A4 (4-cyl.) |
Porsche |
Cayenne* |
911* |
Jaguar |
XF |
XJ* |
Each week, I'll keep you up-to-date on the latest car deals and news that might affect your purchase. This includes...
- Best Rebates, Incentives, and Lease Deals
- Latest Car Buying Scams and Tricks
- The Best & Worst Time to Buy a Car
- Which Cars You Should Avoid
About The Author
Gregg Fidan is the founder of RealCarTips. After being ripped off on his first car purchase, he devoted several years to figuring out the best ways to avoid scams and negotiate the best car deals. He has written hundreds of articles on the subject of car buying and taught thousands of car shoppers how to get the best deals.Latest Weekly Car Buying Tips
May 2024
- Best Car Deals by Category May 30, 2024
- Top 100 Cheapest New Cars for 2024 May 30, 2024
- Price Comparison of Subcompact SUVs May 30, 2024
- Largest Hidden Dealer Rebates May 30, 2024
- Best Memorial Day Car Deals 2024 May 23, 2024
- New Cars with the Most Available Inventory May 23, 2024
- Real Prices of Midsize SUVs May 23, 2024
- Cheapest Luxury Lease Deals May 23, 2024
- Top 100 Cheapest Lease Deals May 16, 2024
- Cars With the Largest Rebates May 16, 2024
- Which Cars Better to Lease or Buy May 16, 2024
- Real Prices of Pickup Trucks May 16, 2024
- Best 0% Finance Deals May 2024 May 12, 2024
- Best Bang for Your Buck Lease Deals May 09, 2024
- Best Electric, Hybrid Lease Deals May 09, 2024
- Biggest Discounts on New Cars May 09, 2024
- Biggest Price Drops on New Cars (Spring 2024) May 02, 2024
- Best Car Deals Around the Country May 02, 2024
- Real Prices of Compact Cars May 02, 2024
- New Cars You Should Wait to Buy May 02, 2024
April 2024
- Real Prices of New Compact SUVs Apr 25, 2024
- Worst Cars to Lease Right Now Apr 18, 2024
- Real Prices of Midsize Cars Apr 18, 2024
- Real Prices of Large SUVs Apr 04, 2024