Find the most reliable used cars
Every car gets a score from 0 to 100 based on NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and independent repair data. No guesswork — just numbers.
1,546 vehicles analyzed·8,878 recalls tracked·Updated 2026-08-24
Independent car reliability data, not opinions
Auto Reliability Index scores every vehicle from 0 to 100 using only public data — no manufacturer pays for placement, and no score is adjusted by hand. Every model is scored on four signals — complaint severity, repair costs, recall impact, and issue diversity — and normalized by sales volume so popular nameplates aren't unfairly penalized.
Those scores currently draw on 1,546 model-year records, 8,878 tracked recalls, and 184,642 owner complaints filed with federal safety regulators — refreshed as new data lands. Use the search box above to pull up any make, model, and year, or browse the rankings below to see the highest-scoring cars in every class, the model years worth avoiding, and how the major brands compare.
Find your match in 5 questions
Tell us your budget, body style, and how you drive. We'll surface the highest-scoring cars that actually fit.
Take the Quiz →Top 10 Most Reliable Cars of 2026
Based on analysis of recall records and real-world owner feedback.
Lexus RX (2022)
Lexus ES (2022)
KIA Sedona (2021)
Mazda CX-5 (2022)
Honda HR-V (2021)
Nissan Altima (2023)
2023 Toyota Crown
0 recalls · 0 complaints
2021 Nissan Frontier
0 recalls · 0 complaints
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander
0 recalls · 0 complaints
2020 Lexus UX
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Considering a used car? Run its VIN to spot accident, title, and recall surprises before you buy.
How to read a reliability score
What the number means. Every model year gets a single 0–100 score. Above 80 is excellent — minimal reported trouble. 60–79 is good, with only minor concerns. 40–59 is mixed and worth researching before you buy. Below 40 flags significant problems. The tiers are color-coded across the site so you can scan them at a glance.
Recalls and complaints are different signals. A recall is a manufacturer- or NHTSA-initiated fix for a specific safety defect, repaired free at a dealer. Owner complaints are individual reports filed with regulators. A car can carry several recalls yet still score well if its underlying complaint rate is low — and a low recall count alone doesn't guarantee a trouble-free ownership experience.
Why we normalize by sales. Popular models rack up more raw complaints simply because more of them are on the road. We divide by sales volume so a best-seller isn't penalized for its success and a rare model isn't flattered by a small sample — which is why the rankings reward the lowest rate of trouble rather than the lowest count.
Check the exact model year. Reliability shifts from year to year within the same nameplate — a redesign's first year often carries more early-production issues than the settled years that follow. Open the specific year you're considering rather than trusting the badge, and confirm any open recalls have been completed before you buy. The full formula is in How We Calculate Reliability Scores below.
Best in Class Winners
The single highest-scoring vehicle in each body style, chosen strictly by reliability score. Follow any winner through to its full class ranking.
Best SedanLexus ES
2022
Best SUVLexus RX
2022
Best TruckNissan Frontier
2021
Best MinivanDodge Grand-Caravan
2020
Best EVNissan Ariya
2023
Models & Years to Avoid
The lowest-scoring model years we track, ranked by the volume and severity of owner-reported problems. Open any card for the specific issues and the better years to buy instead.
2023 Ford F-150 Lightning
Electrical System (71)
2019 Tesla Model S
Suspension (26)
2022 Volkswagen ID-4
Electrical System (44)
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5
Electrical System (176)
2023 Ford Bronco
Visibility Wiper (84)
2023 Jeep Gladiator
Electrical System (11)
2023 KIA EV6
Electrical System (56)
2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS
Electrical System (16)
2023 Tesla Model Y
Forward Collision Avoidance (206)
Browse by Make
Jump to a manufacturer to see every model we track, its best and worst years, and how the brand scores overall.
Acura
5 models
Audi
10 models
BMW
11 models
Buick
7 models
Cadillac
5 models
Chevrolet
17 models
Chrysler
3 models
Dodge
6 models
Ford
16 models
GMC
5 models
Genesis
6 models
Honda
9 models
Hyundai
10 models
Infiniti
1 model
Jeep
7 models
KIA
13 models
Land Rover
2 models
Lexus
7 models
Lincoln
3 models
Mazda
7 models
Mercedes-Benz
10 models
Mitsubishi
1 model
Nissan
12 models
Porsche
5 models
Ram
3 models
Rivian
2 models
Subaru
8 models
Tesla
5 models
Toyota
19 models
Volkswagen
8 models
Volvo
5 models
Popular Comparisons
View all comparisons →Head-to-head reliability match-ups buyers ask about most, scored on the same 0–100 scale.
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases via vehicles.dev. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Auto Reliability Index?
- Auto Reliability Index is a free, independent car reliability resource. It combines recall history, real owner complaints, repair cost data, and sales figures to help used car buyers compare reliability across makes, models, and model years.
- How are car reliability scores calculated?
- Scores are calculated using four weighted factors: complaint severity (35%), repair costs (30%), recall impact (20%), and issue diversity (15%). Complaints are weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. When data is unavailable for a factor, the remaining weights redistribute proportionally. Scores range from 0 (risky) to 100 (excellent).
- What data sources are used?
- We use NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, independent repair cost estimates, and publicly available sales figures to normalize complaint volumes. All data sources are publicly accessible and updated regularly.
- Is this site affiliated with any car manufacturer?
- No. Auto Reliability Index is fully independent. Manufacturers do not pay for placement, ranking adjustments, or score modifications. All scores are generated algorithmically from public datasets.
- What is the most reliable used car in 2026?
- The 2022 Lexus RX ranks #1 with a reliability score of 90/100. Rankings draw on recall history, owner complaints, and independent repair data across 1,546 model-year combinations.
- Which car brands are most reliable?
- Across all models in our database, Toyota and Honda consistently score highest for reliability. However, individual model years vary — always check the specific year you're considering. Browse all 31 makes on this site to compare.
- How do I check if a used car is reliable?
- Use the search tool above to look up any make, model, and year. You'll see a reliability score (0–100), recall count, common complaints, and a data-driven verdict. You can also browse our ranked lists for the most reliable sedans, SUVs, and trucks.