Most Reliable Used Electric SUVs — Ranked by Data
13 electric suvs ranked on complaint severity, repair costs, recall impact, and issue diversity — each one normalized by sales volume. The 2023 Nissan Ariya tops our rankings with a score of 76/100.
Last updated: 2026-10-10
Most Reliable Used Electric SUVs Rankings
| # | Vehicle | Best Year | Score | Rating | Recalls | Complaints / 10k | Maint. Rating | Est. Repair Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nissan Ariya | 2023 | 76/100 | Good | 4 | — | 4 | |
| 2 | Toyota bZ4X | 2023 | 73/100 | Good | 1 | 16.1 | 4 | |
| 3 | Tesla Model X | 2022 | 72/100 | Good | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | |
| 4 | Cadillac Lyriq | 2023 | 67/100 | Good | 7 | 26.2 | 3.5 | |
| 5 | Ford Mustang Mach-E | 2023 | 66/100 | Good | 3 | 30.1 | 3.5 | |
| 6 | Chevrolet Bolt | 2023 | 64/100 | Good | 3 | 23.5 | 3 | |
| 7 | Audi e-tron | 2020 | 62/100 | Good | 4 | 1.4 | 2 | |
| 8 | Rivian R1S | 2023 | 57/100 | Mixed | 9 | 25.6 | 2 | |
| 9 | BMW iX | 2023 | 56/100 | Mixed | 12 | 20.2 | 2 | |
| 10 | Tesla Model Y | 2023 | 53/100 | Mixed | 15 | 25.8 | 2 | |
| 11 | Kia EV6 | 2023 | 52/100 | Mixed | 3 | 51.9 | 1.5 | |
| 12 | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 2023 | 50/100 | Mixed | 3 | 91.7 | 2 | |
| 13 | Volkswagen ID.4 | 2022 | 49/100 | Mixed | 7 | — | 2 |
Score Comparison
Visual comparison of reliability scores. Longer bars indicate higher reliability.
Model Highlights
1. 2023 Nissan Ariya — 76/100
Reliability rates excellent and well above average among SUVs, but the 2023 model year pulls that down. Its owners report sudden loss of drive power, with the charge reading dropping to 0% and a "Service EV System" warning. The 2024 is the better used buy, with far fewer complaints and no recalls. Independent repair-cost data puts upkeep at about $500 a year.
Best year: 2023 (score: 76/100, 4 recalls, 39 complaints). Average score across all years: 76/100.
2. 2023 Toyota bZ4X — 73/100
Reliability is good for a midsize electric SUV, and above average among SUVs on the site. The main worry is the 12-volt battery, which can leave the car dead and unable to start, sometimes again after a replacement. Plastic underbody panels tearing loose in standing water come second. The 2024 model year is the pick, while 2025 has had too little time on the road to judge.
Best year: 2023 (score: 73/100, 1 recalls, 15 complaints). Average score across all years: 73/100.
3. 2022 Tesla Model X — 72/100
Reliability is mixed, and the Model X sits well below average among SUVs. Suspension and electrical complaints run through most years, from rear tires worn to the cords to screens that go blank while driving. The 2018 and 2023 years are the ones to avoid. The 2022 is the site's pick, while the newest years have had little time to collect complaints.
Best year: 2022 (score: 72/100, 0 recalls, 0 complaints). Average score across all years: 54/100.
4. 2023 Cadillac Lyriq — 67/100
Reliability for this electric SUV rates good and sits close to the average among SUVs. The 2023 model year is the pick, since it has been on the road longest and shows a lower complaint rate per car sold than 2024. Watch for low-beam headlights that sag after a few minutes of driving, and for electrical faults such as a dead driver display or a car that will not start.
Best year: 2023 (score: 67/100, 7 recalls, 24 complaints). Average score across all years: 67/100.
5. 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E — 66/100
Sudden power loss while driving is the main worry on the Mustang Mach-E, with a "Stop Safely Now" warning before the car slows and shuts down. Reliability is good and close to average among SUVs. Model year 2023 draws the most complaints and is the one to skip. The 2024 is the safer pick, while 2025 and 2026 are too new to judge.
Best year: 2023 (score: 66/100, 3 recalls, 104 complaints). Average score across all years: 66/100.
Found Your Next Car? Check Its History
Before you buy, a VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the most reliable used electric suvs?
- Based on our data, the 2023 Nissan Ariya is the most reliable with a score of 76/100 ("Good"). It has 4 recalls and 39 owner complaints.
- How many electric suvs did we analyze?
- We analyzed 13 models in this category. The average reliability score is 61/100.
- How are reliability scores calculated?
- Every 0–100 score blends complaint severity (35%), repair costs (30%), recall impact (20%), and issue diversity (15%). Complaints are weighted by component type — powertrain and safety issues count more than cosmetic ones — and normalized by sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
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.
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