2009 Annual Auto Reliability Survey: 10 best and worst models

Just because a model is reliable doesn’t mean it is recommended by Consumer Reports. Four out of the top 10 most reliable vehicles don’t perform well enough in our tests for us to recommend them. The opposite happens as well—some vehicles that score well in our testing are not recommended because they have below average reliability. Seven out of the 10 least reliable vehicles have high enough test scores to be recommended, but their poor reliability prevents them from reaching that recommended status. So, it’s important to look at both performance in our tests as well as reliability because a high scoring car isn’t always a smart purchase choice if it isn’t reliable.

Our 2009 Annual Auto Survey reveals the best and worst vehicles in reliability based on our subscribers’ experiences with 1.4 million vehicles over the past 10 years (2000-2009). Our data helps determine which used cars to choose as well as to forecast how the 2010 models will hold up.

The vehicles listed below are the top 10 most and least reliable new cars in our reliability survey. Models with an asterisk (*) are based on data of one model year only. Click on the vehicles below to visit the model overview pages to see how they performed in our tests and also view a more-detailed look at reliability broken down by 17 potential trouble spots. (Model overview pages are available to online subscribers.)

Most reliable vehicles, listed in order of Ratings score starting with the best score.

1. Honda Insight*
2. Lexus SC*
3. Toyota Venza (4-cyl.)*
4. Mercedes-Benz GLK*
5. Toyota Yaris Hatchback
6. Toyota FJ Cruiser
7. Honda Fit*
8. Toyota Prius
9. Scion xD
10. Toyota 4Runner (V6)

Least reliable vehicles, listed in order of Ratings score starting with the worst score.

1. Volkswagen Touareg*
2. Jaguar XF*
3. Chevrolet Colorado (4WD)
4. GMC Canyon (4WD)
5. Ford F-250 (turbodiesel, 4WD)*
6. BMW 535i (AWD)*
7. Chrysler Town & Country
8. Dodge Grand Caravan
9. Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (turbodiesel)*
10. Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (V8)

For more details on our 2009 Annual Auto Survey including the full list of most and least reliable new cars by vehicle type, see our reliability report. Also, check out our guide to car reliability for more details on new and used car reliability, as well as owner satisfaction.

—Liza Barth