Avoid These 5- to 10-Year-Old Vehicles, Consumer Reports Suggests
Given the inflation that has impacted the prices of new vehicles, buying a used model from a brand known for its reliability can prove to be a smart and convenient decision.
U.S. magazine Consumer Reports, which recently published its rankings of the most reliable and least reliable makes and models for 2026, also examines used vehicles aged 5 to 10 years—in this case, 2016 to 2021 models—based on problems reported by its members in20 potential trouble areas.
- Also: Top 10 Least Reliable 2026 Models According to Consumer Reports
- Also: Top 10 Most Reliable 2026 Models According to Consumer Reports
Unsurprisingly, Lexus and Toyota dominate the rankings again this year, coming in first and second, respectively, far ahead of Mazda in third place (in contrast to its newer models like the CX-70 and CX-90, which have proven less than reliable so far). Two other Japanese brands complete the top five: Honda and Acura. Here is a table showing the top reliability scores:
“Brands like Lexus and Toyota have a history of conservative redesigns, incrementally improving their entire product line rather than introducing many all-new systems,” says Steven Elek, program leader of auto data analytics at Consumer Reports. “Our data consistently shows over time that cars from those brands are reliable when new, and they continue to be reliable as they age.”
Tesla, Jeep, Ram, Chrysler and GMC can be found at the very bottom of the ranking. In fact, eight of the last nine spots are held by American brands. The only exception? Kia.
A few car brands are missing, as you may have noticed, including Porsche, Infiniti, Mitsubishi and Fiat. Consumer Reports says data is insufficient to rank them.
“Tesla is ranked low in terms of used-car reliability when looking at how their models from 5 to 10 years ago hold up. The company faced numerous issues years ago, as it introduced all-new models and ramped up production, sometimes even working on cars in a factory parking lot, Elek recalls. However, the American automaker has made significant strides, and its latest models have demonstrated better-than-average reliability.”
Consumer Reports advises against focusing solely on brands and not looking at particular vehicles. For example, the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox boasts above-average reliability based on owner-reported problems, while the entire 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado generation ranks below average.
“This is why it’s best to check the reliability ratings for each model year when buying a used car,” Elek notes. “Making assumptions can prove both costly and inconvenient.”
As always, shoppers are also wise to check out the history and actual condition of the vehicle they’re considering through a full history report and inspection before making a purchase.
