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
June 2025
- Best Bang for Your Buck Lease Deals Jun 12, 2025
- Best Electric, Hybrid Lease Deals Jun 12, 2025
- Top 100 Cheapest New Cars Right Now Jun 12, 2025
- Real Prices of New Compact SUVs Jun 12, 2025
- Best 0% Finance Deals June 2025 Jun 05, 2025
- Biggest Discounts on New Cars June 2025 Jun 05, 2025
- New Cars with the Most Available Inventory Jun 05, 2025
- Real Prices of Midsize SUVs Jun 05, 2025
May 2025
- Best Car Deals by Category May 29, 2025
- Worst Cars to Lease Right Now May 29, 2025
- Real Prices of Large SUVs May 29, 2025
- Largest Hidden Dealer Rebates May 29, 2025
- All SUV Lease Deals Compared May 2025 May 22, 2025
- Best Car Deals Around the Country May 22, 2025
- Real Prices of Pickup Trucks May 22, 2025
- Top 100 Cheapest Lease Deals May 15, 2025
- Cars With the Largest Rebates May 15, 2025
- Real Prices of Midsize Cars May 15, 2025
- Price Comparison of Subcompact SUVs May 08, 2025
- Real Prices of Compact Cars May 01, 2025
- Which Cars Better to Lease or Buy May 01, 2025
- Cheapest Luxury Lease Deals May 01, 2025
