What new technologies make vehicles unreliable?

The ram 3500 is the least reliable vehicle, according to Consumer Reports (Photo: FCA US LLC)

Problems related to small turbocharged engines and new automatic transmissions offering higher speeds have come to the forefront of infotainment controls as the main offender.

National automakers have suffered from "many new vehicle introductions," Fisher said. "The new transmissions and the little turbos were the big culprits."

More: Cadillac Headquarters Returns to the Detroit Metro after 4 Years in New York

The least reliable vehicles of Consumer Reports

Ram 3500

Tesla X

Cadillac ATS

Honda Clarity

Chevrolet Traverse

Kia Cadenza

Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 2500HD

Buick Enclave

Volkswagen Atlas

Honda Odyssey

For example, problems with a new 9-speed gearbox sent the owners of the popular Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse SUVs to dealerships for repair.

"The Consumer Reports reliability survey is important because reliability is important to consumers," said Michelle Krebs, senior analyst at Cox Automotive. "Regardless of make, model or vehicle category, reliability still ranks first – by far – in Kelley Blue Book's BrandWatch, which asks consumers what's important to them in car buying. "

Toyota Motor Co. stands out from other automakers. The Toyota and Lexus brands have surpassed the CR reliability study each year, but Toyota's fleeting brand, Scion, has won this year.

"People say that Japanese cars are reliable," Fisher said. "Well, sort of. Toyota and Lexus are reliable. "

Testifying to the bankruptcy of other Japanese brands, Honda is building two of the 10 least reliable CR vehicles, the Clarity sedan and the Odyssey minivan. No other brand had more than one on the list.

Half of the cars in the last 10 were new for 2018, which reinforces the link between new cars and poor reliability.

In contrast, the most reliable vehicle was the Lexus GX SUV, which debuted in 2010. Seven of the top 10 vehicles have been on sale for at least three years. Seven also come from Toyota.

Toyota has had its share of problems, reminders of unintended acceleration, but the company's reputation for quality and reliability remains intact.

Fisher acknowledges society's reluctance to adopt new technologies. Toyota has just introduced small supercharged engines, years after many competitors. He takes a playful approach to most technologies, he added.

"Sometimes, not being first and taking your time is profitable."

Automakers who want to become technology leaders need to increase their testing and speed up corrections – nothing can excuse Cadillac's infotainment controls CUE continues to drive down the brand's rating – but they may also be forced to Accepting that an innovative innovation award will always have lower reliability scores.

"The more a builder adds features to surprise and entice his customers, the more risk they take," Fisher said.

Average reliability score of brands

1. Lexus 78

2. Toyota 76

3. Mazda 69

4. Subaru 65

5. Kia 61 (tie)

6. Infiniti 61

7. Audi 60

8. BMW 58

9. Mini 57 (tie)

10. Hyundai 57

11. Porsche 54

12. Genesis 52

13. Acura 51

14. Nissan 51

15. Honda 50

16. Volkswagen 47

17. Mercedes-Benz 47

18. Ford 45

19. Buick 44

20. Lincoln 43

21. Dodge 40

22. Jeep 40

23. Chevrolet 39

24. Chrysler 38

25. GMC 37

26. Ram 34

27. Tesla 32

28. Cadillac 32

29. Volvo 22