Cars to Buy And to Avoid

When it comes to choosing a car, reliability is a key factor that can save you time, money, and headaches down the road. Some cars are built to go the distance, while others seem to spend more time in the shop than on the road. Here are the most reliable and notoriously least reliable cars to help you make an informed decision on your next vehicle purchase.

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1. Toyota Corolla

Ranking number one on most reliability scoresheets is the Toyota Corolla. It may not be the sexiest car in the world, but if you want a vehicle that'll go the distance, go for this baby.

2. Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback is the perfect car for the outdoor adventurer. It’s been designed for utility and can drive through tough terrain. You can expect to get about 16 to 20 years of use out of this workhorse before needing any significant repairs. 

3. Honda Civic

Another car that has a reputation for longevity is the Honda Civic. You can get a new one for under $30,000 and get at least 20 years of use out of it before it needs any big repairs. 

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4. Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius scored 87 out of 100 in reliability rankings, that’s higher than the Corolla. Not too shabby for a car that runs mostly on battery. 

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5. Kia Carnival

The Carnival is Kia’s rebranded version of the Sedona which was re-styled in response to falling minivan sales. Kia proved you don’t have to trade form for function–the Carnival has even better reliability scores than its predecessor. 

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6. Lexus CT

If you’re looking for a car with a little more luxury, look no further than the CT, Lexus’s hybrid-electric hatchback. It’s one of the most dependable and fuel-efficient small cars on the market. 

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7. Toyota Camry

One of the most reliable mid-sized cars on the market, the Toyota Camry is known to surpass 200,000 miles without needing any major maintenance. When it does need repairs, the parts are usually cheap. 

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8. Mazda Miata

This lightweight sportscar is not only reliable but super cute as well. With such a small car and engine, you might expect it to lack durability, but it’s known to easily pass the 200,000-mile mark without needing big repairs. 

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9. Honda Accord

Often considered one of the most dependable car choices, you can expect minimal maintenance from the Honda Accord. It’s also known to be more fuel-efficient and powerful than other similarly priced and sized cars. 

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10. BMW 3

BMW used to make airplanes so you’d think they would be able to handle a car and you’d be right. The BMW 3 has received excellent reliability ratings but be careful which year you go for. 2018 was their heyday. 

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Now that we’ve covered some of the most reliable cars on the market, let’s go over some of the biggest lemons.

1. Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler has long been considered a bad car. It has a reliability rating of 27 out of 100 and the 2024 model saw three recalls.

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2. Rivian R1T

The Rivian R1T is a luxury electric pickup truck. Unfortunately, the company had a lot of supply chain issues during the pandemic. The result is a notably poor reliability score of 22 out of 100 and three recalls. 

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3. Jeep Grand Cherokee

We’re sensing a theme here: don’t buy a Jeep. The Grand Cherokee saw five recalls of its 2024 model and has a reliability score of 26 out of 100, the most common problems being engine failure, stalling, and poorly functioning electronics. 

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4. Land Rover Range Rover

The most common complaint with the Range Rover is it requires a lot of maintenance to keep it running smoothly and seeing as it’s considered a luxury vehicle, you can expect trips to the mechanics to cost a fortune. The brand is synonymous with “British engineering” which translates to engine failures, leaks, and erratic malfuntioncs. 

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5. Fiat 500

The Fiat 500 is a super cute small car, but it’s never been known for its durability. The 2012-2015 models are particularly infamous for their problems–fiat was forced to recall over 8,000 of their cars from this period due to problems with the clutch, suspension, and engine overheating.

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6. Cadillac Escalade

The Cadillac Escalade is a high-end, high-maintenance vehicle typically driven by Manhattan soccer moms. It has a reliability rating of 2.5 out of 5 and the top problems include faulty door handles, suspension, and transmission problems.

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7. Alfa Romeo Giulia

Italians are known for making beautiful, but not necessarily reliable cars. The Alfa Romeo Giulia is a great example of that–known for quickle rusting, fuel leaks, and vehicle fires. The company had to offer free repairs to all Giulia owners to address the concerning safety of the vehicles. 

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8. Volkswagen Jetta

With a reliability score of only 25 out of 100, the Jetta is infamous for its problems. Like all cars, some years are better than others– the 2019 model was particularly prone to grinding noises, excessive oil consumption, and problems with the front sensors. 

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9. BMW i8

The i8 is BMW’s hybrid sports car and while it has the look and pricetag of a super car, it doesn’t have the power to match. It’s slow, has a bad battery life, is expensive to maintain, and only lasts three to five years. BMW discontinued this lemon in 2020. 

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10. Chrysler Pacifica

The Pacifica is a hybrid minivan with a lot of problems which is not what you want for a family car. It has a reliability score of only 14 out of 100 with transmission failure, battery problems, and unreliable cruise control being the main issues.

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