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A low Consumer Reports reliability prediction does not mean every example of an SUV will break down. It means the model is expected to experience more problems than the average new vehicle, based largely on owner surveys and the severity of reported trouble.
The 15 SUVs below are an editorial compilation of models that Consumer Reports currently identifies as below average, much below average, or otherwise concerning for predicted reliability. They are not an official Consumer Reports ranking from worst to best. That distinction matters when you are deciding whether a lower purchase price is worth the potential repair bills, downtime, insurance costs, and depreciation.
How to read this list
Consumer Reports collects owner reports about problems during the previous 12 months. Its survey covers as many as 20 trouble areas, including the engine, transmission, electric motor, EV battery, charging system, brakes, climate system, electronics, leaks, body hardware, paint, and trim.
Reported problems are weighted by severity. A malfunctioning infotainment screen is not treated the same as a failed engine or high-voltage battery. For new vehicles, predicted reliability is generally expressed on a 1-to-100 scale, although Consumer Reports does not publicly display a comparable numerical score for every model.
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The current 2026 analysis is based primarily on roughly 380,000 vehicles from the 2000–2025 model years, with limited early data from 2026 vehicles. New or substantially redesigned SUVs therefore deserve extra caution: there may not yet be enough long-term owner history to make the prediction as stable as it is for an established model.
15 SUVs Consumer Reports flags for potentially below-average reliability
The models are grouped by the concern identified in the available Consumer Reports material, not ranked from 1 through 15.
| SUV | What the current data indicates | Financial risk to investigate |
|---|---|---|
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | Expected to be less reliable than the average 2026 vehicle; Consumer Reports lists a 29/100 reliability rating for the midsize-SUV group. | Powertrain, electronics, and repair costs outside the warranty period. |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe | The plug-in-hybrid version has historically performed worse than the gasoline model and is described as well below average. It was discontinued for 2026. | Complex hybrid components and potentially expensive battery or charging-system repairs. |
| Mazda CX-70 | The 2026 gasoline CX-70 is expected to be less reliable than average. Consumer Reports points to its new platform, engine, and transmission. | First-generation repair issues and uncertain long-term resale value. |
| Mazda CX-70 Plug-in Hybrid | Reliability concerns include the EV battery and electric motor. | Higher repair complexity than the gas model and possible loss of value if buyers avoid the PHEV. |
| Mazda CX-90 | The 2026 gasoline CX-90 is expected to be less reliable than average, based on 2024 and 2025 data. | New powertrain hardware can create warranty visits and out-of-warranty exposure. |
| Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid | Expected to be much less reliable than average. Consumer Reports tracks concerns involving the electric motor, EV battery, charging, engine, transmission, and electronics. | Potentially costly repairs across both the gasoline and electric systems. |
| Chevrolet Equinox | The 2026 model is expected to be much less reliable than the average new car, with the prediction based on 2025 data. | The redesigned model may have early-production issues and weaker-than-expected depreciation. |
| GMC Terrain | Consumer Reports identifies the redesigned Equinox and Terrain compact SUVs as remaining unreliable. | Shared components may mean similar software, electrical, or drivetrain problems across both models. |
| GMC Acadia | The 2026 Acadia is expected to be much less reliable than average, using 2024–2025 information and the GMC brand score. | Three-row SUV repairs can be expensive, particularly when electronic and driver-assistance systems are involved. |
| Buick Enclave | The redesigned-for-2024 Enclave is among the domestic SUVs Consumer Reports identifies as below average for reliability. | First-year redesign risk and higher replacement costs for a larger SUV. |
| Chevrolet Traverse | The Traverse was redesigned for 2024 and is identified by Consumer Reports as below average. | New-model defects can mean repeated dealer visits, even when warranty work is covered. |
| Cadillac Lyriq | The 2026 Lyriq is expected to be less reliable than average. It uses General Motors’ Ultium electric-vehicle platform. | Software, charging, battery, and electrical problems can be expensive after warranty coverage ends. |
| Cadillac Optiq | Consumer Reports identifies the new Optiq as below average. Its prediction is more exposed to limited early data and first-year problems. | Luxury-EV depreciation and costly proprietary components can magnify ownership losses. |
| Chevrolet Blazer EV | Consumer Reports identifies the Blazer EV as below average or well below average and says it remained unreliable in its second model year. | Charging and software defects can cause downtime even when the vehicle remains drivable. |
| Honda Prologue | The Prologue is identified as below average and shares GM’s Ultium-based EV architecture. | Do not assume Honda’s broader reliability reputation automatically applies to this newer electric platform. |
What this could mean for your budget
1. A warranty does not eliminate the cost of trouble
A factory warranty may cover an eligible repair, but it does not reimburse every financial consequence. You may still pay for towing, rental transportation, missed work, a higher insurance deductible after an incident, or a replacement vehicle if the SUV is unavailable for several days.
Before buying, ask the dealer how loaner vehicles are handled and whether the warranty covers the specific battery, charging, and electronics components on a hybrid or EV. Read the warranty exclusions rather than relying on a salesperson’s general description.
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2. Complex powertrains deserve a larger reserve
The Grand Cherokee 4xe, CX-70 PHEV, and CX-90 PHEV combine gasoline and electric systems. That can improve fuel economy, but it also adds components and control software. A plug-in hybrid is not automatically more reliable than a gasoline SUV or a conventional hybrid.
For an EV such as the Lyriq, Optiq, Blazer EV, or Prologue, potential trouble areas shift toward battery management, charging hardware, electric motors, thermal systems, and software. EVs are not inherently unreliable; Consumer Reports’ results are mixed. The concern here is the performance of particular newer models and platforms.
3. Depreciation is part of reliability risk
A vehicle that spends time at a dealer may lose value faster, especially if buyers become wary of a first-generation design. That matters if you plan to trade in the SUV after three or four years. A seemingly attractive lease payment or discount may not compensate for high depreciation, expensive insurance, and above-average financing costs.
4. Used buyers need model-year discipline
Reliability can change substantially after a redesign, an engine revision, or a software update. Do not apply a current prediction to every older example with the same badge. Check the specific model year, powertrain, open recalls, completed service campaigns, and maintenance history.
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Why new and redesigned SUVs appear repeatedly
Consumer Reports specifically cautions shoppers about being first to buy a fully new or redesigned vehicle. The 2025-redesigned Equinox, Terrain, and Acadia are examples of newer products that have not yet accumulated the long-term history of an established design. The 2024 redesigns of the Enclave and Traverse create a similar caution.
Mazda’s CX-70 and CX-90 use a new rear-wheel-drive-based platform, new engines and transmissions, and, in the PHEV versions, Mazda’s first plug-in-hybrid systems. More new hardware means more ways for early production or software problems to emerge.
Several of the electric SUVs on this list use GM’s Ultium architecture. Consumer Reports identifies the Lyriq, Optiq, and Blazer EV as below average or worse, and places the Honda Prologue in the same broader group. The Chevrolet Equinox EV is described as an exception with average reliability, so the data does not support a blanket claim that every Ultium vehicle is unreliable.
Two other SUVs worth checking before you buy
The Nissan Murano and Kia EV9 illustrate why a fixed list should not be treated as a permanent ranking. The redesigned-for-2025 Murano replaced its previous V6/CVT combination with a turbocharged four-cylinder and nine-speed automatic. Consumer Reports’ 2025 owner data described it as less reliable than other 2025 vehicles, and a published midsize-SUV comparison gave it a 41/100 reliability score.
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The 2026 Kia EV9 is also expected to be less reliable than average and is identified as Kia’s least reliable model in the current survey. It is not included in the 15-model compilation above because the list focuses on the specific models documented in the supplied current material, but it belongs on a buyer’s research checklist.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to protect yourself before signing
- Check the exact trim and powertrain. A gasoline SUV, conventional hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and EV can have very different reliability histories.
- Search the model year on ConsumerReports.org. Look for the predicted-reliability description and reported trouble areas rather than relying on the brand’s reputation.
- Run the VIN through the manufacturer’s recall tool. Recalls are specific safety or regulatory campaigns; they are not the same as Consumer Reports’ predicted-reliability rating.
- Obtain an insurance quote. New luxury SUVs and EVs can have expensive body panels, sensors, batteries, and specialized repair requirements.
- Get an independent inspection for a used SUV. Ask the technician to scan for stored fault codes, inspect fluid leaks, verify charging equipment where applicable, and compare the service records with the manufacturer’s schedule.
- Price an extended service contract carefully. Compare the deductible, exclusions, waiting period, maximum payout, authorized repair locations, and coverage for batteries, electronics, and infotainment systems.
- Keep a repair reserve. Even with a warranty, maintaining several hundred dollars for immediate transportation and deductible costs is sensible. For an older, complex SUV, a larger reserve may be appropriate.
What a low reliability prediction does not tell you
It does not predict the exact repair your vehicle will need, guarantee a breakdown, or measure only engine and transmission failures. It also does not replace a recall check, maintenance inspection, or ownership-cost calculation.
It is best used as one input in a purchase decision. Compare the SUV’s total price, financing rate, fuel or charging costs, insurance premium, warranty, expected depreciation, and repair reserve. A discounted SUV may still be a poor financial choice if it requires expensive coverage or loses value quickly. Conversely, a model with a below-average prediction may work reasonably well for an owner who buys it new, keeps it under warranty, and accepts the possibility of more service visits.
FAQ
Are these officially Consumer Reports’ 15 least reliable SUVs?
No. Consumer Reports publishes individual model reliability predictions and some category lists, but this is an editorial compilation of 15 SUVs that its current material flags as below average, much below average, or otherwise concerning. It is not an official 1-to-15 ranking.
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Does a low Consumer Reports reliability rating mean the SUV will fail?
No. The rating estimates the likelihood of problems relative to other vehicles using owner-survey data and severity weighting. Some individual vehicles with low predictions can be trouble-free, while a highly rated model can still need repairs.
Are plug-in hybrids less reliable than gas SUVs?
Not automatically, but Consumer Reports says the plug-in-hybrid versions of several SUVs, including the Grand Cherokee, CX-70, and CX-90, have tended to score worse than their gasoline counterparts. Their extra electric and gasoline systems can increase complexity.
What should I do before buying one of these SUVs used?
Check the exact model year and powertrain, review recalls and service campaigns by VIN, obtain a vehicle-history report, inspect maintenance records, and pay for an independent mechanical and electronic inspection. Also price insurance and an extended warranty before comparing the purchase price.
The Bottom Line
Consumer Reports’ data points to potential reliability concerns across several newer SUVs, particularly the Mazda CX-70/CX-90 families, redesigned GM SUVs, selected Ultium EVs, and complex plug-in hybrids. Treat the list as a warning signal—not a prediction that your vehicle will be a lemon. Verify the exact model year, budget for downtime and repairs, and compare total ownership cost before allowing a low sticker price or attractive financing offer to decide the purchase.
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