The reliability of the cars we own and drive has certainly improved in leaps and bounds. In the last century, it was pretty much expected that you would break down at some point, but we now have cars like the Toyota Camry that can do over 100,000 miles without even breaking a sweat. It is always possible, however, to identify the least reliable cars, and it is now easier than ever, in fact.
Just because the standard of car reliability is now much higher than it was, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t models on sale today that have had owners complaining about issues, whether they are issues inherent in the manufacture or ones that have shown themselves later down the line. Here are the five worst offenders…
This article contains the five vehicle models on sale in the United States with the lowest quality and reliability rating from JD Power based on the initial consumer feedback it receives. They are ranked starting from the highest and finishing with the lowest, and where models have the same rating, they are ordered alphabetically.
5
2026 Mazda CX-70
JD Power Reliability Score: 69/100
If you think the Mazda CX-70, introduced just last year, looks kind of familiar, you would be correct, as it is essentially just the two-row version of the CX-90 SUV we have been familiar with for a few years now. This means it has the same inline-six and plug-in hybrid powertrain options, upscale exterior and interior design of that car, except those slightly cramped third-row seats are nowhere to be found. It is strange that this is a separate model rather than just a trim option for the CX-90, but here we are.
Mazda CX-70 reliability at a glance:
- JD Power quality and reliability score: 69/100 (Fair)
- Total number of NHTSA complaints: 53
- Total number of recalls: 4
The Mazda CX-70 gets a quality and reliability rating of below 70 because of its maneuverability in tight spaces, the amount of interior storage space, and the startup experience. A large portion of the complaints concern the Mazda’s lane departure system, which has the habit of attempting to change lanes when there is a curve in the road. Powertrain issues with jerking shifts and delayed acceleration have also featured. A loss of EV power in the PHEV version and incorrect fuel reading were the subject of the four recalls.
There is no definitive average annual maintenance cost available for the CX-70, but its rivals, such as the Kia Sorento and Hyudai Santa Fe cost $513 and $530 a year, according to RepairPal. The CX-70 may well cost more a year, owing to the fact that there are more repair costs that come to over a grand, and a head gasket replacement costs over five grand.
4
2026 Volkswagen Tiguan
JD Power Reliability Score: 68/100
It should not be surprising that at least one Volkswagen should be on the list of least reliable cars in 2026, as the automaker is ranked as one of the least reliable car brands, according to JD Power’s Vehicle Dependability study (VDS). This rates an automaker by the amount of problems it has per 100 vehicles. The Tiguan itself is not necessarily a bad car, with the third generation arriving two years ago with smoother, smarter styling and more of a kick from its new 201 hp turbo inline-four.
Volkswagen Tiguan reliability at a glance:
- JD Power quality and reliability score: 68/100 (Fair)
- Total number of NHTSA complaints: 83
- Total number of recalls: 3
- Average annual maintenance cost: $730
Owners did not like engine roughness or brake performance and there have been many complaints lodged on the NHTSA website about forward collision avoidance randomly applying the brakes when there was no obvious hazard, as well as some about a loss of power due to undiagnosed electrical gremlins. The most severe of the three recalls concerns the front passenger airbag, which may not deploy.
The Volkswagen Tiguan is aimed squarely at cars like the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V, as Volkswagen seeks to compete with its compact SUV rivals from Asia, but it won’t be doing this in terms of reliability, or in terms of maintenance costs, either, as on average, you can expect to be paying much more than these two, which cost $429 and $407 a year, respectively.
3
2026 Rivian R1S
JD Power Reliability Score: 67/100
Rivian has been somewhat of a disruptor in the world of electric three-row SUVs, which had at one point been ruled by the Tesla Model X. The new startup has been producing the R1S since the 2022 model year, and it is, of course, based on the R1T pickup truck. It was re-engineered for 2025, with a streamlined assembly process, simplified software and upgraded hardware, including new battery packs, and for 2026, it gets a NACS charging port. All of this gives it class-leading performance and range and, unlike the Tesla, it can actually go off-road.
Rivian R1S reliability at a glance
- JD Power quality and reliability score: 67/100 (Fair)
- Total number of NHTSA complaints: 166
- Total number of recalls: 34
The number of complaints and recalls the R1S has faced over its relatively short life do not make for comfortable reading, and the issues it has seen over the last few years are varied, with regenerative braking not working, and windscreen wiper fluid leaking, while the toe link joint separating, and the passenger airbag not deploying were two of the many recalls the R1S has seen. There is no maintenance cost for the R1S available on RepairPal, but website EvSeekers suggests that the annual cost can be up to $623. Here’s hoping the changes to the manufacture of the R1S bring more dependability…
2
2026 Cadillac Lyriq
JD Power Reliability Score: 64/100
Being the car that blazed the trail for Cadillac’s electric car-building future, the Lyriq had a huge amount of anticipation surrounding it when it finally launched four years ago for the 2023 model year after delays due to COVID. Other electric models have since joined the lineup, with similar futuristic styling and lavish interior we first saw in this car.
With a range of up to 326 miles of range in the single-motor version, and up to 615 hp from the performance-oriented Lyriq-V, it is every bit as high end as you would expect something from Cadillac to be. Cadillac is also fairly near the top of JD Power’s VDS, so the automaker clearly hasn’t forgotten how to build a car properly.
Cadillac Lyriq Reliability at a glance:
- JD Power quality and reliability score: 64/100 (Fair)
- Total number of NHTSA Complaints: 164
- Total number of Recalls: 17
Being a new venture for Cadillac, is it not all that surprising that the Lyriq hasn’t come with a bulletproof reliability record. Being an electric car with much of its functions being controlled by electronics and software, most of the complaints concerning the Lyriq are to do with the electrical system, with regenerative braking and forward collision avoidance not working, as well as the digital instruments not being properly visible. The Lyriq has also had to be recalled for a loss of braking pressure due to ABS activation and seatbelts not being properly welded. With it still being a relatively new model, there is not enough long-term data to provide an accurate average annual maintenance cost, but the Average maintenance cost for Cadillac is $783, higher than Volkswagen, but lower than BMW or Audi.
1
2026 Kia EV9
JD Power Reliability Score: 64/100
The Kia EV9 is an EV SUV that has a lot going for it, with innovative styling making rivals look rather staid when it first launched, a practical and spacious interior, fast charging capabilities and an ability to undercut many of its rivals on price. For 2026, it adds a new Nightfall Edition trim, which adds an extra torque boost for the electric motors and a North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging port for even quicker charging.
Kia EV9 reliability at a glance:
- JD Power quality and reliability score: 67/100 (Fair)
- Total number of NHTSA complaints: 248
- Total number of recalls: 10
The Kia EV9 has certainly had some “newness” issues that many cars experience when they first launch and there are a number of teething problems that need to be ironed out. Indeed, the bulk of the complaints and recalls for the EV9 occurred during the first model year, in 2024, and they range from suspension issues and infotainment glitches, to battery fires and airbag suppression failures.
Repair costs are about what you would expect for a large three-row SUV, with a radiator fan assembly replacement costing around the same for the EV9 (up to $1,117) as it does for the Volvo EX90 at $1,178. One thing that counts in favor of the Kia is the impressive ten-year 100,000-mile warranty, which should provide some extra peace of mind. The automaker is also fairly high up on JD Power’s vehicle dependability study, ahead of Nissan and just behind Toyota with 193 problems per 100 vehicles.
Base Trim Engine
EV
Base Trim Transmission
Automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
215 HP
Base Trim Torque
258 lb.-ft.
Base Trim Battery Type
Lead acid battery
Infotainment & Features
8 /10
Sources: Mazda, Volkswagen, Cadillac, Rivian Kia, NHTSA, JD Power, RepairPal
