10 Least Reliable Cars for 2026. These models received the lowest predicted reliability scores based on owner surveys. According to the latest reliability survey data from Consumer Reports, these are the 10 least reliable vehicles for 2026 based on owner-reported problems across roughly 380,000 vehicles. The rankings heavily weigh issues involving engines, transmissions, EV systems, charging hardware, electronics, and build quality.
| Rank | Vehicle | Predicted Reliability Score | Main Reported Trouble Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid | 26 | Hybrid system, electrical issues, charging glitches |
| 9 | Honda Prologue | 25 | EV software, charging, electronics |
| 8 | Kia EV6 | 25 | Infotainment, charging system, electrical bugs |
| 7 | Kia EV9 | 24 | Electronics, software, drivetrain issues |
| 6 | Mazda CX-90 | 23 | New turbo powertrain and electrical systems |
| 5 | Genesis GV60 | 21 | EV battery and charging complaints |
| 4 | Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid | 20 | Plug-in hybrid system complexity |
| 3 | Chevrolet Blazer EV | 19 | Software instability, charging, electrical faults |
| 2 | Rivian R1T | 18 | Electronics, body hardware, drivetrain problems |
| 1 | GMC Acadia | 14 | Transmission, electronics, build-quality complaints |
Key Trends Behind the Rankings
- EVs and plug-in hybrids dominate the list. Seven of the ten least reliable vehicles are electrified models. Consumer Reports says EVs and PHEVs still show significantly more problems than traditional gas vehicles.
- First-generation or heavily redesigned models are riskier. Vehicles with brand-new platforms or software-heavy architectures had more owner complaints.
- Software and charging systems are now major reliability factors. Many issues were related to infotainment systems, charging failures, electronic accessories, and over-the-air update bugs—not just engines and transmissions.
A few notable takeaways:
- The Rivian R1T was identified as the least reliable EV overall in CR’s broader brand analysis.
- The Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid and Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid reinforce a broader trend that plug-in hybrids currently have higher-than-average repair rates.
- The GMC Acadia ranked worst overall due to widespread owner complaints across multiple systems.
If you’d like, I can also give you:
- the 10 most reliable cars for 2026
- the least reliable trucks or SUVs only
- the best used cars to avoid expensive repairs
- or the most reliable EVs despite this trend.