Checking reliability ratings before buying a car is one of the highest-value steps in the car-buying process. A vehicle with poor reliability can cost you $1,000–$3,000 more per year in repairs than a comparable model with an excellent record. Reliability data is publicly available and takes about 10 minutes to review for any car on your shortlist.
Why Reliability Ratings Matter
Every vehicle depreciates. But unreliable vehicles cost you in two ways: direct repair costs and the opportunity cost of time spent dealing with breakdowns.
Average annual repair costs by reliability tier:
| Reliability Tier | Avg. Annual Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| Excellent (Toyota, Lexus) | $441–$600 |
| Good (Honda, Mazda) | $550–$750 |
| Average | $650–$900 |
| Below average (some European, Jeep) | $900–$1,400+ |
Source: RepairPal industry data. Figures represent typical ownership years 3–8.
The Four Best Sources for Reliability Data
1. Consumer Reports — Most Comprehensive
Consumer Reports conducts annual surveys of hundreds of thousands of vehicle owners, asking about problems across 17 specific trouble areas: engine, transmission, electronics, fuel system, brakes, etc.
What you get:
- Overall reliability score (1–5 circles)
- Year-by-year reliability history (critical for used car research)
- Predicted reliability for new models based on similar platform history
- Used car recommendations (“Recommended” badge)
Cost: Requires a subscription (~$40/year). Worth it if you’re buying a car in the next 12 months. Best for: Deep dive on specific models, year-by-year used car research.
2. J.D. Power — Free and Authoritative
J.D. Power surveys owners of 3-year-old vehicles annually in their Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). Results are published online for free.
What you get:
- Brand-level rankings (Power Circle ratings)
- Segment rankings (compact SUV, midsize sedan, etc.)
- Problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) — lower is better
Best for: Quick brand-level comparison; free access; widely cited by industry.
3. RepairPal — Free Repair Cost Estimates
RepairPal provides reliability grades (A–F) and average annual repair cost estimates by make, model, and year. Particularly useful for used car research.
What you get:
- Reliability grade by model
- Average annual repair cost
- Common problems for specific models
- Shop cost estimator for specific repairs
Best for: Understanding real-world repair costs before buying; free.
4. Owner Forums and Community Data
Reddit communities (r/whatcarshouldIbuy), brand-specific forums (ToyotaNation, HondaTech), and sites like CarComplaints.com aggregate real owner experiences and common problems by model year.
Best for: Identifying recurring issues that affect specific model year runs (e.g., “The 2018 RAV4 has a known CVT issue in models built before July 2018”); first-hand detail.
How to Read J.D. Power Reliability Data
J.D. Power expresses reliability as PP100 (Problems Per 100 vehicles). Lower is better.
| PP100 Score | Rating |
|---|---|
| Under 100 | Excellent |
| 100–130 | Above average |
| 130–160 | Average |
| 160–200 | Below average |
| Over 200 | Poor |
The industry average fluctuates annually — compare individual models against the segment average, not just the raw number.
Most and Least Reliable Brands (2025–2026 data)
Consistently most reliable:
- Lexus
- Toyota
- Mazda
- Mini (recent years)
- Honda / Acura
Consistently below average:
- Jeep
- Ram
- Volkswagen (some models)
- Lincoln
- Rivian (new EV brand, high initial quality concerns)
Important caveat: Brand averages mask model-level variation. A brand with mediocre average scores may have one outstanding model. Always research the specific model and year, not just the brand.
How to Check Reliability for a Specific Used Car
Scenario: You’re considering a 2021 Honda CR-V with 45,000 miles.
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Go to Consumer Reports (if subscribed): Search “2021 Honda CR-V” → check the reliability history by model year → look for any red categories (categories rated below average)
-
Check RepairPal: Search “Honda CR-V 2021” → get the annual repair cost estimate and reliability grade
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Check NHTSA.gov/complaints: Enter the 2021 CR-V and look for owner-reported complaints to identify patterns
-
Search Reddit and CR-V forums: “2021 CR-V problems” will surface any known issues specific to that model year
-
Check for TSBs: Technical Service Bulletins (not the same as recalls) are issued for known issues that dealers repair under warranty. Search NHTSA’s TSB database.
Red Flags in Used Car Reliability Research
- A single model year that’s an outlier in an otherwise reliable lineup: Indicates a known problem year. For example, some model years of the Honda Accord had transmission issues while surrounding years did not. Avoid the problem year.
- First year of a major redesign: New platforms often have higher initial quality concerns. The second or third model year of a redesign tends to be more reliable.
- Known expensive failures: Transmission rebuilds ($2,500–$4,000), engine issues, or turbocharger problems are costly enough to avoid entirely.
- NHTSA complaint volume: High complaint volume relative to sales suggests a real pattern, not just a vocal minority.
Combining Reliability With Safety Ratings
The best vehicle purchase checks both:
| Verification | Source | Free? |
|---|---|---|
| Crash safety | NHTSA.gov/ratings (5-star system) | Yes |
| Safety (small overlap) | IIHS.org (Top Safety Pick+) | Yes |
| Reliability (brand level) | J.D. Power VDS | Yes |
| Reliability (model detail) | Consumer Reports | Subscription |
| Repair costs | RepairPal.com | Yes |
| Known issues | NHTSA complaints database | Yes |
The Bottom Line
Check reliability before you fall in love with a car. A 10-minute review of J.D. Power rankings and RepairPal costs can save you thousands in unexpected repairs. Use Consumer Reports for detailed year-by-year data on used car purchases, and always cross-reference with NHTSA complaint data and owner forums for the specific model year you’re considering.
Related reading:
- Vehicle History Reports — What They Tell You
- Buying a Used Car: Beware of Car Recalls
- Finding the Best Car for You
- Independent Mechanic vs. Dealership
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