The Toyota brand has long been synonymous with reliability, but recent problems with the Tacoma and Tundra pickups have helped knock the brand off its top spot in the Consumer Reports reliability rankings. Subaru takes over, with most of its vehicles getting above average reliability ratings. To be clear, Toyota reliability is still high, it’s just no longer No. 1.
How Subaru took over the top spot
The Consumer Reports survey looked at seven Subaru models, and both the Forester and Impreza scored well above average in terms of predictive reliability. In fact, both vehicles scored at least 10 points higher than most of their other competitors. Crosstrek, Legacy, Outback and Ascent rated above average.
“Subaru’s cars share many reliable components,” says Steven Elek, who oversees auto data analytics at Consumer Reports. “This commonality means that when Subaru redesigns a vehicle, it can make fewer incremental changes by carrying over dependable systems. This reduces the risk of new problems.”
Ironically, the only Subaru tested with below average rankings was the Solterra, the brand’s only electric vehicle, which was built in collaboration with (you guessed it) Toyota. It has the same reliability ranking as the Toyota bz4X and gets 20 points less than the Nissan Ariya, which takes the top spot for competitors. The Solterra also gets the lowest scores for owner satisfaction of all the Subarus tested.
What’s up with Toyota reliability?
Toyota had three vehicles that had below-average reliability in this study: Tacoma, Tundra and bz4X. And that really hurt Toyota reliability rankings – especially since pickup trucks overall generally have better reliability. The Tacoma was all-new for 2024, and has had several reports of transmission issues. Consumer Reports also points out issues with noises and leaks as well as potential steering and suspension problems. Then there’s the Tundra. Essentially every engine in every 2022 to 2023 model needs to be replaced because of debris left in the engine during manufacturing. Consumer Reports says these two model years have the lowest predictive reliability possible. How very un-Toyota-like.
Since the Lexus LX bears the same engine issues as the Tundra, Lexus took at small hit in the study as well.
However, though Subaru takes No. 1, Toyota and Lexus are No. 2 and 3, respectively. So they dropped, but they didn’t fall far.
How other brands fare
After Subaru, Toyota and Lexus, you have Honda, Acura and Mazda, which means the top six slots are filled by Asian automakers. In fact, eight out of the top 10 automakers are Asian. None are American.
So where do American cars fall? Dead last. The average score for domestic brands was 38. That’s out of 100. Ouch. Rivian hits the bottom of the list with a score of 14.
A couple other take aways
As hybrid sales start to grow, it’s a relief to know that hybrids remain the most reliable electrified powertrains. While EV and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) reliability is growing, these two electrified powertrains still have more problems than their hybrid or gasoline counterparts. EVs have 42% more problems than gas vehicles, and PHEVs have 70% more problems.
One other thing Consumer Reports said – that I’ve long espoused: It pays to wait. In other words, don’t buy the first model year of a vehicle. It points to several first-year vehicles with problems like the Mazda CX-90, Cadillac Lyriq and Chevrolet Blazer EV. Then it points to a few other vehicles that had problems in their first model years that have now improved.
The bottom line
IMHO, the most interesting part of these results is the Toyota reliability decline. While everyone points to that brand as a reliability leader, they’ve been slipping in the past few years with more recalls, more complaints and more big problems. Here’s to hoping this is the kick in the pants the brand needs to put them back on track and help them realize they can’t rest on laurels forever.
Jill Ciminillo
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