From transmission issues to troublesome turbocharged engines to 15 other areas, Consumer Reports studies in its annual automobile reliability survey. The 2018 compilation, like in every year, has surprises.
This year, Toyota and its luxury sibling Lexus, reversed positions. While tabulating the results of more than 500,000 vehicles, Lexus gets the top spot. Lexus had six models in the study, earning an average reliability score of 78.
The brand’s least reliable model is the IS while its most reliable model is the GX. This year, all Lexus models with sufficient data were rated average or above.
Toyota had 14 models supplying reliability data, with the Japanese automaker receiving an average reliability score of 76. Its most reliable model is the Prius c. The least reliable model is the Tacoma. The Tacoma continues to have issues with the drive system and in the transmission minor trouble spots.
The 2018 Camry dropped slightly drop in reliability to better than average while experiencing problems with the Entune infotainment system and difficulties with the eight-speed automatic transmission.
The top-10 most reliable carmakers for 2018 in reverse order:
9. Hyundai
9. MINI
8. BMW
7. Audi
5. Infiniti
5. Kia
4. Subaru
3. Mazda
2. Toyota
1. Lexus
To read the complete survey, visit: Consumer Reports Reliability.
Article Last Updated: October 30, 2018.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
