Consumer Reports' latest study ranks Tesla dead last for reliability among used cars aged five to ten years, with a score of 31 out of 100. The electric vehicle maker trails behind Jeep, which scored 32, based on owner-reported problems from over 140,000 vehicles. While older models face issues tied to early production challenges, newer Teslas show marked improvement.
Consumer Reports released its 2025 used-car reliability rankings, drawing on surveys from more than 140,000 owners about problems experienced in the previous 12 months with vehicles from the 2016 to 2021 model years. The study evaluates 26 brands across 20 trouble areas, including powertrain, build quality, electrical systems, and in-car electronics, with scores weighted by problem severity.
Tesla finished at the bottom with a reliability verdict of 31, just below Jeep at 32, Ram at 35, and Chrysler at 36. The low ranking aligns with the period when Tesla ramped up Model 3 production, including building vehicles in a temporary tent at its Fremont, California, factory, which may have impacted build consistency. Lexus led the list with 77, followed by Toyota at 73 and Mazda at 58. Honda and Acura rounded out the top five at 57 and 53, respectively.
"Taking this longer view, looking at reliability over five to 10 years, gives a clear picture of what used-car buyers can expect," said Steven Elek, Consumer Reports' program leader for auto data analytics. The methodology averages reliability ratings from six model years, requiring at least five years of data per brand.
Despite the poor showing for older models, Consumer Reports notes Tesla's progress. The brand now ranks ninth in predicted reliability for new cars with a score of 50, placing it in the top 10 ahead of brands like Kia and Ford. Owners of used Teslas have mixed experiences; some report issues like battery replacements costing $14,000 after warranty expiration, while others claim minimal problems. Experts recommend thorough pre-purchase inspections and reviewing service history for later production runs to mitigate risks.
