Vehicle Reliability Hub: Most Reliable Cars, SUVs, Trucks and Years to Avoid

Toyota and Honda are the most dependable mainstream brands to buy, and they are also among the cheapest to keep running at about $520 and $550 a year in maintenance. But every brand has weak model years. The 2017 to 2019 Honda CR-V had oil dilution, the 2011 and 2012 Ford F-150 had early EcoBoost engine problems, and 2016 to 2019 Hyundai Tucson and Santa Fe models with the 2.0L turbo engine are known for engine seizure.

Use this hub to compare reliability by brand, model and year, see which years to avoid, check what the big repairs cost, and decide whether extra repair coverage makes sense for the car you drive or plan to buy.

Most Reliable Car Brands in 2026

Toyota is the most reliable mainstream car brand, with Honda a close second. In J.D. Power's 2025 Vehicle Dependability Study, Toyota recorded 134 problems per 100 vehicles and Honda 139. Mazda, Hyundai, Kia and Subaru follow with low running costs, but each has specific engines or transmissions to avoid. Our Toyota vs Honda reliability comparison has the full breakdown.

Low maintenance cost and reliability usually go together, but not always. A brand can be cheap to service and still have one engine or transmission that fails often. Check the model and year, not only the badge. See the cheapest cars to maintain and the most expensive cars to maintain for the full lists.

Reliability by Model: Best Years and Years to Avoid

The same model can be a great buy in one year and a costly mistake in another. These tables summarize our model guides. Open the full guide for repair costs, recalls and the problem behind each year.

Cars

SUVs

Trucks

Luxury Cars and SUVs

Shopping a used truck? Our best used trucks guide adds the years worth buying. For a list of the riskiest models across all brands, see used cars to avoid.

Ford vs Jeep Reliability: How They Compare

Ford is the safer used buy of the two if you pick the right years. Jeep's newer Wranglers are much better than the older ones, but several Jeep models still carry known expensive repairs.

• Ford F-150: Avoid 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2018. The best years are 2014, 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2023. Watch for cam phaser failure ($1,500 to $4,000) and EcoBoost timing chain stretch.
• Ford Explorer: Avoid 2011 to 2017. The 2020 to 2023 models are the most reliable so far.
• Jeep Wrangler: Avoid 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2018 and 2019. The 2020, 2021 and 2023 JL are the strongest years. Death wobble repairs can run $2,000 to $3,500 when several parts are worn.
• Other Jeeps: The 2011 to 2015 Grand Cherokee is prone to transmission failure, and the Compass and Renegade are models to approach with caution.

Bottom line: for a used truck or family SUV, a late-model F-150 or Explorer is the lower-risk choice. If you want a Wrangler, buy a 2020 or newer and budget for front-end wear.

How to Use a Years-to-Avoid Guide

A years-to-avoid list is a starting point, not a verdict on one car. Use it like this:

• Find the generation. Problems usually follow a generation or a specific engine, not a single year.
• Be careful with first years of a redesign. The 2018 Audi Q5, 2012 BMW 3 Series and 2018 Jeep Wrangler all had first-year bugs.
• Check the engine and transmission. The same model can be fine with one engine and risky with another, such as Hyundai's 2.0L turbo or Honda's 1.5L turbo.
• Check recalls and service records. Many known problems were fixed under recall or software updates. Ask for proof the work was done.
• Get a pre-purchase inspection. It usually costs $100 to $200 and can catch the exact problems these guides describe. Use our pre-purchase inspection checklist.

For the full buying process, see how to buy a used car.

The Most Expensive Car Repairs and What They Say About Reliability

The most expensive car repairs are engine and transmission failures, which can cost $3,000 to $8,000 or more. That is why reliability matters: an unreliable model is one that tends to need these repairs early. Here is what the big repairs cost and which CoverageX plan lists the part.

Costs vary by vehicle, shop and region. Coverage always follows the terms of your contract, and pre-existing problems, maintenance items and accident damage are not covered. See all major repairs in our car repair costs guide.

Protect your car from these repairs. CoverageX's Essential plan covers the engine, transmission and drivetrain, including seals, gaskets and turbo parts. Signature adds air conditioning, electrical systems and suspension. Get your quote in about two minutes, or call 1-800-258-3413.

How Mileage Changes Reliability Risk

A well-kept modern car can pass 15 years and 200,000 miles, and the average car on US roads is 12.6 years old. Risk rises in steps as the miles add up:

• Around 100,000 miles: transmission problems often start. A rebuild runs about $1,500 to $3,500.
• 60,000 to 100,000 miles: timing belts are due. A failed belt can cause $3,000 to $5,000+ in engine damage. Water pumps often wear out around 80,000 to 90,000 miles.
• 120,000 to 130,000 miles: suspension parts wear out. Struts cost $300 to $800 each.
• 150,000 miles and up: gaskets and seals dry out and leak, and electrical sensors fail more often.

If a repair costs more than half of what the car is worth, it is usually time to think about replacing it. Read more in how long do cars last and buying a used car with 100,000 miles.

Maintenance That Prevents the Big Repairs

• Change the oil on the interval in your owner's manual and use the specified oil.
• Service the transmission fluid about every 60,000 miles, even if it is called lifetime fluid.
• Flush the coolant about every 60,000 miles.
• Replace the timing belt on schedule if your engine has one.
• Install software updates and recall fixes for the engine, transmission and electronics.

When Extended Coverage Makes Sense (and When It Does Not)

Extended coverage makes the most sense when your factory warranty has ended, you plan to keep the car, and the model has a known costly weak spot such as a CVT, an early turbo engine or a timing chain issue. It is also worth a look if a $3,000 to $7,000 surprise repair would hurt your budget.

It is usually not worth it if:

• Your car is still under its factory warranty. Hyundai and Kia, for example, cover the powertrain for 10 years or 100,000 miles.
• You drive fewer than about 8,000 miles a year or plan to sell within 2 years.
• You have an emergency fund of $10,000 or more and can absorb a big repair.

With a CoverageX vehicle service contract you can use any licensed repair facility in the US. You call before repairs start, CoverageX verifies coverage and authorizes the work, and then pays the shop directly. All plans include 24/7 roadside assistance and towing. Routine maintenance, pre-existing problems, cosmetic damage and accidents are not covered.

To estimate what coverage might cost for your car, see our extended car warranty cost guide. For older cars, read about coverage for high-mileage cars, and use our guide on how to compare extended warranty providers before you buy.

Keeping your car past its factory warranty? Check the years to avoid for your model, then see what a vehicle service contract would cost. Get your quote online or call our team 24/7 at 1-800-258-3413.

More Reliability and Cost Guides

• Are Hyundai and Kia reliable?
• Toyota vs Honda reliability
• Most reliable SUVs of 2026
• Used cars to avoid
• Total cost of car ownership
• Are extended warranties worth it for luxury cars?

Car Reliability FAQs

What is the most reliable car brand?

Toyota is the most reliable mainstream brand, with Honda close behind. In J.D. Power's 2025 Vehicle Dependability Study, Toyota recorded 134 problems per 100 vehicles and Honda 139, and both cost about $520 to $550 a year to maintain. Even so, both have weak years, so check the model. See Toyota vs Honda reliability.

What is the most reliable SUV?

The Toyota RAV4 tops our list of reliable SUVs, followed by the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5. The best RAV4 years to buy used are 2015 to 2018 and 2019 to 2024. Avoid the 2006 to 2008 models, which burn oil. See the full most reliable SUVs ranking.

Are Subarus reliable?

Newer Subarus are reliable, but some older years are not. Avoid the 2010 to 2014 Outback and 2009 to 2013 Forester for head gasket failure and oil use, and the 2015 to 2019 Outback for CVT problems. The 2020 to 2022 Outback and 2019 to 2021 Forester are the best picks. See Subaru Outback and Forester problems by year.

Are Mazdas reliable?

Yes, Mazda is one of the more reliable brands. The CX-5 ranks among the most reliable SUVs, and Mazdas cost about $580 a year to maintain, close to Toyota and Honda. The main model to avoid is the 2004 to 2009 Mazda3, which had transmission and engine problems.

Are BMWs reliable?

BMW reliability depends on the engine and year, and repairs cost more than on mainstream brands. A BMW typically costs $1,200 to $2,000 a year to maintain. For the 3 Series, avoid the 2007 to 2011 335i and look at the 2016 to 2017 or 2021 to 2022 models. See BMW 3 Series problems by year.

Are Hyundai and Kia reliable?

Hyundai and Kia models from 2020 on are competitive with Toyota and Honda. The main risk is the 2.0L turbo Theta II engine in 2011 to 2019 models, which has a history of engine failure. New models also come with a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. See are Hyundai and Kia reliable.

Do reliable brands still have bad model years?

Yes. The 2007 to 2011 Toyota Camry has oil consumption problems, the 2017 to 2019 Honda CR-V has oil dilution, and the 2013 Honda Accord had early CVT problems. Always check the exact year and engine, then get a pre-purchase inspection.

What costs the most to fix on a car?

Engine and transmission failures cost the most to fix. An engine replacement runs $3,000 to $7,000 or more, and a transmission replacement $1,500 to $8,000 or more. Head gaskets and turbochargers can each pass $3,000. See our car repair costs guide.

How many miles is too many for a used car?

There is no single cutoff, because maintenance matters more than the number. A well-kept modern car can pass 200,000 miles, but transmission problems often start around 100,000 miles and suspension and seals wear out after that. Get an inspection and service records before you buy. See buying a used car with 100,000 miles.

When should I consider an extended car warranty?

Consider one when your factory warranty is ending and you plan to keep the car, especially if the model has a known expensive weak spot. Skip it if you drive little, plan to sell soon or have savings that can cover a $3,000 to $7,000 repair. See extended car warranty cost to compare.