Most Reliable Used Midsize Sedans — Ranked by Data
35 midsize sedans ranked on complaint severity, repair costs, recall impact, and issue diversity — each one normalized by sales volume. The 2021 Lexus ES tops our rankings with a score of 88/100.
Last updated: 2026-10-10
Most Reliable Used Midsize Sedans Rankings
| # | Vehicle | Best Year | Score | Rating | Recalls | Complaints / 10k | Maint. Rating | Est. Repair Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexus ES | 2021 | 88/100 | Excellent | 0 | — | 4 | |
| 2 | Nissan Altima | 2023 | 84/100 | Excellent | 0 | 1.9 | 4 | |
| 3 | Toyota Camry | 2022 | 84/100 | Excellent | 2 | 1.6 | 4 | |
| 4 | Lexus IS | 2022 | 83/100 | Excellent | 0 | 6.1 | 4.5 | |
| 5 | Toyota Prius | 2021 | 82/100 | Excellent | 0 | 2.5 | 4 | |
| 6 | Audi A5 | 2023 | 81/100 | Excellent | 0 | 0.0 | 3.5 | |
| 7 | Chevrolet Camaro | 2023 | 81/100 | Excellent | 0 | 0.0 | 3.5 | |
| 8 | Chevrolet Malibu | 2023 | 81/100 | Excellent | 1 | 1.8 | 4 | |
| 9 | Acura TLX | 2023 | 79/100 | Good | 2 | 7.8 | 4.5 | |
| 10 | Volkswagen Passat | 2021 | 78/100 | Good | 1 | 7.4 | 4 | |
| 11 | Honda Accord | 2021 | 78/100 | Good | 5 | 10.6 | 4.5 | |
| 12 | Audi A4 | 2023 | 77/100 | Good | 0 | 6.0 | 3.5 | |
| 13 | Dodge Challenger | 2020 | 77/100 | Good | 1 | 3.6 | 3.5 | |
| 14 | Subaru Legacy | 2022 | 77/100 | Good | 2 | 14.2 | 4 | |
| 15 | Buick LaCrosse | 2019 | 76/100 | Good | 2 | 8.3 | 4 | |
| 16 | Buick Regal | 2020 | 75/100 | Good | 2 | 8.1 | 4 | |
| 17 | BMW i4 | 2023 | 73/100 | Good | 7 | 8.0 | 4 | |
| 18 | Kia Optima | 2020 | 72/100 | Good | 0 | 28.5 | 4 | |
| 19 | Volvo S60 | 2020 | 72/100 | Good | 3 | 5.7 | 3.5 | |
| 20 | Hyundai Sonata | 2019 | 71/100 | Good | 0 | 16.5 | 3 | |
| 21 | Ford Fusion | 2020 | 71/100 | Good | 3 | 15.9 | 4 | |
| 22 | Kia K5 | 2023 | 71/100 | Good | 4 | 13.9 | 4 | |
| 23 | BMW 5 Series | 2023 | 70/100 | Good | 2 | 3.1 | 3 | |
| 24 | BMW 3 Series | 2022 | 70/100 | Good | 3 | 2.0 | 3 | |
| 25 | Porsche Taycan | 2020 | 70/100 | Good | 12 | — | 3.5 | |
| 26 | Toyota Supra | 2023 | 69/100 | Good | 2 | 18.9 | 3 | |
| 27 | Hyundai Ioniq 6 | 2023 | 69/100 | Good | 5 | — | 3.5 | |
| 28 | Genesis G70 | 2023 | 67/100 | Good | 1 | 12.8 | 2.5 | |
| 29 | Audi e-tron GT | 2023 | 65/100 | Good | 15 | 65.6 | 3 | |
| 30 | Porsche 911 | 2018 | 64/100 | Good | 1 | 1.0 | 2 | |
| 31 | Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 2023 | 63/100 | Good | 5 | — | 3 | |
| 32 | Tesla Model 3 | 2023 | 57/100 | Mixed | 10 | 16.6 | 2 | |
| 33 | Mercedes-Benz EQE | 2023 | 56/100 | Mixed | 10 | 28.4 | 2 | |
| 34 | Land Rover Range Rover Sport | 2019 | 56/100 | Mixed | 14 | 52.3 | — | |
| 35 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 2023 | 53/100 | Mixed | 83 | 63.9 | 3.5 |
Score Comparison
Visual comparison of reliability scores. Longer bars indicate higher reliability.
Model Highlights
1. 2021 Lexus ES — 88/100
Owner complaints and federal recall records put this midsize sedan well above average among sedans, with an excellent standing overall. The 2022 model year is the pick, while 2019 drew the most complaints, led by stalling and weak throttle response. Owners also report airbags that did not deploy in crashes, so read those reports before you buy.
Best year: 2021 (score: 88/100, 0 recalls, 0 complaints). Average score across all years: 83/100.
2. 2023 Nissan Altima — 84/100
Good overall and well above average among sedans, this midsize car is a solid used buy if you pick the year with care. The 2023 model year is the one to favor, and 2020 is the one to skip. Two problems matter most: a failing brake light switch that can keep the car from starting, and an airbag warning light that can lead to a costly seat repair.
Best year: 2023 (score: 84/100, 0 recalls, 24 complaints). Average score across all years: 78/100.
3. 2022 Toyota Camry — 84/100
Good overall reliability and a low repair bill, about $388 a year, make the Camry a solid used midsize sedan. The 2022 is the pick among established years. The 2018 is the one to avoid, mainly because its 8 speed automatic can shift hard, slip into limp mode, or stop driving. Air bag non-deployment complaints appear across many years.
Best year: 2022 (score: 84/100, 2 recalls, 47 complaints). Average score across all years: 76/100.
4. 2022 Lexus IS — 83/100
Reliability is excellent and well above other sedans on the site, with every model year from 2018 to 2026 rating well. 2019 is the weakest year and 2024 is the pick. The problems that matter most are rare but serious: sunroof glass that shatters while driving, and a tire that comes off its rim.
Best year: 2022 (score: 83/100, 0 recalls, 13 complaints). Average score across all years: 82/100.
5. 2021 Toyota Prius — 82/100
Used Prius buyers get a hybrid that holds up well, with a standing above most sedans and repair costs under the midsize average. The 2021 is the year to favor, with no recalls and few complaints. Watch for a "Hybrid System Failure" warning that can shut off power steering and brakes at highway speed, and for windshields that crack with no visible impact.
Best year: 2021 (score: 82/100, 0 recalls, 15 complaints). Average score across all years: 78/100.
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
- Odometer Rollback
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the most reliable used midsize sedans?
- Based on our data, the 2021 Lexus ES is the most reliable with a score of 88/100 ("Excellent"). It has 0 recalls and 0 owner complaints.
- How many midsize sedans did we analyze?
- We analyzed 35 models in this category. The average reliability score is 73/100.
- 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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