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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsConsumer Reports’ 2026 new-car predicted-reliability ranking puts Chrysler, GMC, Jeep, Ram, and Rivian at the bottom among the brands it had enough data to rank. That is a reason to scrutinize a specific vehicle—not proof that every car from those brands is unreliable or a rule that shoppers should never buy one.
The five lowest-rated brands in Consumer Reports’ 2026 reliability survey
Consumer Reports bases this annual ranking on owner reports about problems with vehicles, then uses recent model data to predict how new vehicles are likely to fare. The figures below are positions in that ranking, not reliability scores or percentages.
| Rank from bottom | Brand | CR ranking position |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chrysler | 22 |
| 2 | GMC | 23 |
| 3 | Jeep | 24 |
| 4 | Ram | 25 |
| 5 | Rivian | 26 |
These are the five lowest positions in CR’s 2026 new-car predicted-reliability ranking. CR’s survey collected information on about 380,000 vehicles from model years 2000 to 2025, plus a few newly introduced 2026 models. Members reported problems in as many as 20 areas, including engines, electric motors, transmissions, and in-car electronics. Consumer Reports’ 2026 report-card release describes the survey, while its new-car reliability coverage presents the rankings.
What the ranking does—and does not—say
CR calculates brand reliability from weighted problem rates across a brand’s models. Its predictions average available model data from 2023 through 2025, with some early 2026 data when the sample is sufficient. A brand needed data for at least two models from at least two of the 2023, 2024, 2025, or early 2026 model years to qualify.
#1 Best Overall
That makes the result a useful brand-level screening signal, not a verdict on every model, model year, trim, or powertrain. One vehicle in a brand’s lineup may have a different reliability record from another, and a redesign or new technology can change the picture. CR itself advises shoppers to start with dependable brands, then choose a reliable model that fits their needs; its reliability and owner-satisfaction guide explains its approach.
Some brands do not appear because CR lacked the required sample. Their absence means they were not ranked in this comparison; it does not establish that they are reliable or unreliable.
Reliability is not the same as an overall brand score
Consumer Reports’ overall brand report card combines road-test scores, predicted reliability, owner satisfaction, and safety. Its 2026 bottom five overall are Dodge, GMC, Land Rover, Rivian, and Jeep—not the reliability-only bottom five above. Jeep was last overall for the third consecutive year; CR cited below-average reliability, its lowest average road-test score in CR testing, and the lowest owner-satisfaction score. Those additional factors explain why an overall ranking cannot be used as a substitute for a reliability ranking. See the 2026 report-card release for that composite measure.
How J.D. Power’s dependability study differs
J.D. Power’s 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study measures problems reported by owners of three-year-old vehicles, rather than predicting reliability for new cars. It surveyed 33,268 original owners of 2023 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership; fieldwork ran from December 2024 through November 2025. The study covers 184 problem areas across nine categories. Its measure is problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), where a lower number indicates fewer reported problems.
The study’s industry average was 204 PP100, which J.D. Power said was the highest recorded since its 2022 redesign. That number is not directly comparable with CR’s brand positions: the studies differ in metric, vehicle age, sampling, and purpose. J.D. Power’s release names leaders—Lexus in premium at 151 PP100 and Buick in mass market at 160 PP100—but does not support using that release to name the lowest-ranked brands. Read J.D. Power’s 2026 study release.
Powertrain can change the reliability picture
In J.D. Power’s 2026 three-year dependability study, reported problems varied by powertrain category. These are category averages, not scores for the five brands above.
| Powertrain category | Problems per 100 vehicles |
|---|---|
| Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) | 281 |
| Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) | 237 |
| Hybrid | 213 |
| Gas-powered | 198 |
CR also named several EVs and plug-in hybrids among the least reliable vehicles in its 2026 survey. Neither finding means every electrified vehicle is less reliable than every gas vehicle: these are fleet-level averages and model-specific results, and a buyer should check the exact vehicle. Consumer Reports testing director Jake Fisher said newly introduced EVs and PHEVs, alongside the relative newness of the technology, brought growing pains, while adding that some EVs improve as they age and reliable models are available. J.D. Power’s release and CR’s survey announcement provide the context for those findings.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Models CR specifically flags in its 2026 survey
CR names these vehicles among the least reliable in its 2026 survey, giving shoppers a more concrete place to investigate than a brand-wide position alone:
- Lincoln Corsair PHEV
- Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
- GMC Acadia
- Jeep Grand Cherokee PHEV
- Ram 1500
- Rivian R1T
These are model-level findings from CR’s survey, not a claim that every model year or configuration has the same outcome. The ranking position also cannot tell a shopper which individual used vehicle is in better condition; vehicle history, maintenance, recalls, and an independent inspection matter for a used-car decision.
How to use the list when shopping
- Start with the exact vehicle. Narrow your search to model year, trim, and powertrain rather than relying on the brand name alone.
- Check model-specific reliability evidence. Look for ratings and reported trouble areas for that vehicle and year; do not treat an unranked brand as a top performer.
- Separate new-car predictions from used-car history. CR’s prediction uses recent model data, while J.D. Power’s 2026 dependability study reflects owner reports after three years. Neither replaces an inspection of a particular used vehicle.
- Weigh the kind of risk you care about. A reliability rank is distinct from crash safety, driving performance, owner satisfaction, and repair cost. Consider those factors separately when comparing candidates.
For a broader historical comparison, J.D. Power’s 2025 VDS reported 202 PP100 based on owners of 2022 model-year vehicles, with fieldwork from August through November 2024. Its 2026 result covers a different cohort and ownership period, so the two annual averages should not be read as a direct like-for-like change. J.D. Power’s 2025 study release describes that sample.
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