Top 10 Most Unreliable Cars of 2022

It’s a list no manufacturer wants to appear on. The list of the Top 10 Most Unreliable Cars of 2022.

It’s a horrible feeling. The one of regret and disappointment. After years of saving, waiting, and finally acquiring a shiny new automobile, it ends up being a letdown. No car is perfect, but when buying something new, one does expect a certain amount of quality and reliability. But this isn’t always the case.

Earlier this year, Consumer Reports released its annual 10 Least Reliable Cars report. In it, Consumer Reports focuses on 17 trouble areas, that range from small nuances to full-out failures. The company then assess each new vehicle currently on sale a predicted reliability score based on complaints from 2019 and 2020. Below are the 10 vehicles that received the lowest scores, descending in order to the least reliable vehicle. We’ve cross-referenced each model with complaints made to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the current 2022 model year. We’ve also included our impressions of each vehicle. The ultimate goal, to help identify potential commonly reported issues.

The Subaru Ascent is the brand’s largest vehicle and ties for 10th on this list of the top 10 most unreliable cars of 2022. Multiple owners have complained about the continuously variable automatic transmission slipping, stuttering or failing. Other repeat quality issues center around battery life. Owners have found the Ascent’s battery drained on multiple occasions, sometimes requiring replacement.

During our Subaru Ascent review we didn’t experienced any of these issues and appreciated its practicality and comfort, although it could use a bit more style.

Chrysler’s minivan ties the Subaru Ascent and Tesla Model Y for 10th place on this list. The majority of the complaints surrounding the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica have to do with the vehicle’s engine and/or powertrain. In several occasions, the engine has turned off, been put into reduce power mode, or lost forward propulsion. It appears to be especially connected to hybrid models.

Like the Ascent, we are fans of the Chrysler Pacifica and have not encountered any of the above issues during our admittedly short time with the vehicle.

Despite tying for 10th place, no vehicle on this list has more complaints lodged on the NHTSA website than the Tesla Model Y. Anyone familiar with the brand can probably guess what’s the number one complaint; the safety systems. And to be more specific, AutoPilot. Is it a case of a faulty system? Or does it have more to do with the actual capabilities of the system being over promised and over marketed to consumers? This questions is at the center of an ongoing NHSTA investigation.

But more than just AutoPilot, other complaints about the Model Y’s reliability surround the vehicle’s powertrian, exterior lighting, electronics, and brakes.

During a head-to-head comparison test, we did not experience the issues noted above. It may no longer be the only game in town, or even the front runner, but it is still a solid compact EV SUV.

Next on the list is the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan. The majority of complaints are for two main issues. First, several customers have stated that the vehicle hesitates greatly during cold-start driving. Drivers find putting the car into drive after initially turning it on causes a delay before the vehicle actually moves forward. The other main complaint centers around the vehicle’s infotainment system where freezing, unresponsiveness, and rebooting have plagued consumers.

During the 11 Small SUV Comparison Test Shoutout, the Volkswagen Tiguan drew mostly positive praise from our reviewers. We did not notice the cold start gear hesitation and were fans of the powertrain, but not so much the fuel economy.

Volvo’s mid-size luxury SUV ties the Tiguan for 7th place on the list of the top 10 most unreliable cars of 2022. Issues for the XC90 are mostly confined to the vehicle’s powertrain. Several customers have reported on receiving engine propulsion system errors that have reduced engine power, or disabled it altogether. Remedies for this problem range from simple system resets all the way to parts replacements.

We are big fans of the drivetrain, as reported in our Volvo XC90 review. But, we have not spent more than short periods of time with it so we can’t make any claims on its longevity.

Finding a sports car on this list is a bit of a surprise, but Chevrolet’s mid-engine Corvette comes in at fifth place. We adore the new mid-engine C8 and found it nearly flawless during our review and comparison of the Corvette.

Being a lower-volume model, it doesn’t take a lot of complaints for the vehicle to have a higher percentage of problems-per-car. The main issue with the Corvette is centered around the drivetrain. Customers have reported fluid leaks and transmission problems as the key factors. There are also a few isolated reports of the front trunk unexpectedly opening during slow speed maneuvers or when the vehicle is parked.

The Chevrolet Silverado has undergone some updates over the past few years, but some customers are finding quality issues. Most notably, there are complaints of the transmission slipping between gears, or even going into neutral, especially after a cold start. Other customers have complained of the engine defaulting into a power reduced mode and some have had issues with battery longevity. Finally, there are a handful of complaints relating to the vehicle’s braking system.

When we took a Chevrolet Silverado on a long distance hunting trip far away from civilization, it performed well for us, despite a few nucenses and gripes we had.

The second sports car to make this list is the Ford Mustang. Another vehicle our staff enjoys driving, the Mustang is a V8 bellowing beast that’s a bit rough around the edges. During our time with the car, it has never let us down. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for every owner.

Common complaints on the Mustang include issues surrounding the brakes and brake pressure. The powertrain has also received a few complaints, specifically with the EcoBoost engine. Prospective owners of the Mustang should note that as of this writing, 2022 models have received far less complaints than the previous model years.

The Ford Explorer is one of the go-to vehicles when it comes to a jam-packed road trip. We experienced this first hand. There have been some problems plaguing the big SUV since its launch though.

There is no main issue for the Ford Explorer that finds it on our list. But 19 complaints have been made on the 2022 model year SUV that range from engine, to suspension, electrical, and even body structure. There are also reported cases of the hood latch failing. As well, there have been three separate recalls issued for the vehicle, two related to the fuel system and one for the engine mounts.

Being first on this list is not something manufacturers aspire to, but it’s the dubious position the Mercedes-Benz GLE finds itself in. Between the 2021 and 2022 model years, there have been 28 complaints related to the engine and electrical systems either reducing power while driving, or cutting out altogether. Like the Ford Explorer, there are 3 recalls currently for the 2022 GLE, but last year there were 18 recalls.

We haven’t driven the Mercedes-Benz GLE in a few years. But our last test drive of the luxury SUV found it’s a vehicle that feels premium, coddles passengers, and offers a comfortable driving experience.

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