The 10 least reliable 2026 models, according to Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports publishes an annual reliability snapshot built on owner feedback. This year, the organization surveyed nearly 380,000 drivers to identify the models that cause the most headaches. Below is the lineup of the least reliable vehicles for the 2026 model year.
1. Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
Reliability score: 28 out of 100
The van is dogged by transmission issues and glitches in electronic control systems. There have been documented cases of battery fires and sudden engine shutoffs, and the manufacturer has issued multiple recalls to address these defects. For a family-focused hybrid, that level of unpredictability is hard to ignore.
2. Honda Prologue
Reliability score: 25 out of 100
Major complaints center on software malfunctions, faults in the automatic emergency braking system, and weak reliability of climate-control components. Together, these flaws weigh heavily on the model’s overall standing and chip away at day-to-day confidence.
3. Kia EV6
Reliability score: 25 out of 100
Owners report frequent failures of battery charging equipment, low charge levels, and subpar body assembly quality. Defective drive shafts are also cited among the serious concerns. When the basics falter, any performance edge fades into the background.
4. Kia EV9
Reliability score: 24 out of 100
Shortcomings include poor welds, reduced output power, and critical electrical faults that undermine the navigation system and the vehicle’s connections to external power sources. For a flagship EV, those misses are especially costly.
5. Mazda CX-90
Reliability score: 22 out of 100
Owners frequently face trouble restarting the engine, complain about a noisy powertrain, and encounter the need to replace major components. That kind of disruption saps the appeal of a big three-row that aims higher than most.
6. Genesis GV60
Reliability score: 21 out of 100
Reports mention numerous recalls, recurring failures of front halfshafts, malfunctioning cameras, and unreliable seat belts. The pattern points to durability lapses that overshadow the car’s tech-forward pitch.
7. Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid
Reliability score: 20 out of 100
Most complaints tie back to technical recalls triggered by faults in the hybrid system and serious malfunctions of electrical components. It’s the kind of complexity that, when it misbehaves, dominates the ownership experience.
8. Chevrolet Blazer EV
Reliability score: 19 out of 100
The model has faced production delays due to software defects, incorrect battery charging behavior, and lengthy repair timelines at official service centers. Downtime, more than anything, defines its story so far.
9. Rivian R1T
Reliability score: 18 out of 100
Owners voiced dissatisfaction with the build quality of certain parts, and the brand has logged a substantial number of service visits tied to a variety of technical problems. The volume of issues undercuts an otherwise compelling concept.
10. GMC Acadia
Reliability score: 14 out of 100
This model has long been associated with chronic reliability troubles. Persistent complaints include a high number of recalls and a steady stream of repair and maintenance advisories. In practice, that means more shop time than most buyers would expect.