11 Cars With the Lowest Predicted Reliability for 2026
The list of 11 cars with the lowest predicted reliability for 2026 comes from Consumer Reports testing and owner feedback. These results don’t always match how people feel when they drive or live with a car. Some owners still like them, even when the numbers don’t look great. Kind of depends on the day. The mix says more about expectations than exact science, I think.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Owning a Grand Cherokee feels fine until it doesn’t. Some days it’s calm and quiet, other days a warning light just shows up. Feels like a vehicle that wants to do better but doesn’t always manage it. The name still carries weight, maybe too much sometimes. The feeling fades sometimes and it’s hard to say why.
Tesla Model Y
Moves fast and looks simple, though something seems uneven behind all the tech. Screens freeze, doors act strange, owners shrug because it still drives unlike anything else. Maybe that makes it worth the hassle, or maybe not. Hard to say what version you’ll actually get on a random morning. In a way, it’s part of the charm, I think.
Ford Explorer
People like the size, and I think they like the name, but the ownership feels kind of heavy. Things rattle earlier than expected. The brakes feel soft, or maybe just tuned that way. Gets under your skin after a while but you keep driving it anyway. Sometimes that’s enough, sometimes not really.
Chevrolet Blazer
The Blazer tries hard to look sharp, maybe too hard if you think about it. It drives strong at first, then something starts to buzz or shake. Dealers fix things, most of the time. The ride feels okay, but not the kind you mention later. Sort of blends into the background after a while, in a way.
Volkswagen Atlas
You can sense its size before moving. Sitting in it feels big but not always solid. Some say it creaks like an old boat on a quiet lake morning. Works, mostly, but trust builds slowly and sometimes not at all. Funny how it still manages to feel like a family car even when it doesn’t sound like one.
Nissan Rogue
Feels simple, maybe too simple. Does most things fine but prefers staying parked some days. Small glitches, weird noises, or something off with the air conditioning. Not bad, but not good either. It’s one of those cars people forget to complain about until the warranty is nearly out, I think.
Ram 1500
A truck that looks strong enough to haul anything but sometimes forgets details. Electrical bits act up when it rains, and no one seems shocked anymore. Seats are nice though, which helps. Feels like you should forgive it. Many do, I guess. Some still really like it despite all that, which says something.
Subaru Ascent
There’s confidence in the name, though the Ascent has moments when it feels distracted. The CVT hums too long, kind of like it’s thinking. Engine sounds uncertain when it shouldn’t. Families still choose it because it feels safe, or maybe because it looks ready for snow. It seems a bit tired sooner than expected.
Kia Sorento
The Sorento gives a strong first impression. Then tiny quirks show up—door locks, screens, a dash noise. Not bad enough to regret, not good enough to brag. Drives fine, most days. Some owners say it improves with time, though that may just be wishful thinking. It’s still a nice size, kind of in between.
Toyota Tundra
Surprising to see it here, and some say it shouldn’t be. The new hybrid setup feels different, not always in a good way. Power comes strong, then soft, then strong again. Like it hasn’t made up its mind. Feels like something still learning to be what it wants to be, I think. The name helps, but that’s doing more work than it used to.
GMC Acadia
Looks calm, but reliability charts say otherwise. Electrical and fit issues seem common, maybe more than owners admit. Some say they don’t notice. Others notice everything. Every drive feels okay, most of the time. Kind of depends on your mood. Except for the small reminder that it might not stay that way.
