Electric Vehicles Reliability Survey

(Reuters) – Concerns about the reliability of electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids are easing, but they still lag behind gas-powered vehicles, according to a survey by Consumer Reports (CR).

Key Findings

• EV Problems: EVs now have 42% more problems than gas-powered cars, down from 79% last year.
• Plug-in Hybrids: These vehicles report 70% more problems than internal combustion models, improving from 146% in the previous year.
• Reliability Ranking: Internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and hybrids are still the most reliable types overall.

Brand Reliability

• Tesla: Ranked 17th. Owners reported issues with build quality, including problems with body hardware, paint, trim, noises, leaks, and electrical accessories.
• Rivian: Ranked 22nd, the lowest.
• Ford: Positioned 13th, with the F-150 Hybrid noted as its least reliable model.
• Top Brands: Japanese automakers Subaru and Lexus (Toyota's luxury brand) topped the reliability chart.

Consumer Guidance

Jake Fisher, senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center, stated, "While brand rankings can guide you to the showroom, it is critical to look at reliability for specific models before making a purchase decision."

Survey Details

The Consumer Reports survey spans 20 problem areas such as engine, electric motors, transmission, and in-car electronics, gathering data from over 330,000 vehicles from model years 2000 to 2024, including a few newly introduced 2025 models.