Consumer Reports builds its predicted-reliability scores from owner survey data, and the lowest scorers for 2026 double as a shopping checklist. The roster spans electric pickups, three-row crossovers and long-running family haulers, with battery and drivetrain complaints recurring. Here are twelve new vehicles that the data flags as risky, listed roughly from the very bottom upward.
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1. GMC Acadia: Lowest Score on the List
Within Consumer Reports’ 10 least reliable cars of 2026, the GMC Acadia lands at the very bottom with a predicted-reliability score of 14 out of 100. That is the lowest number the publication assigned to any vehicle on the roundup, and it is the reason the Acadia leads this gallery.
Shoppers weighing a new Acadia should read the full reliability breakdown before signing anything. A predicted score is a forecast from past owner data, so it pairs best with a long warranty, a pre-delivery inspection and a check of open recalls by VIN at NHTSA.
2. Rivian R1T: Second From the Bottom
The Rivian R1T earned a Consumer Reports predicted-reliability score of 18 out of 100, which Consumer Reports’ own list places second-worst among its 2026 least-reliable picks. Only the GMC Acadia, at 14, scored lower.
A low forecast on a young electric pickup does not guarantee trouble, but it does suggest buyers should look hard at warranty terms and service-center access. Ask what coverage remains on the battery and drive units, and test the truck for software glitches on a long drive.
3. Chevrolet Blazer EV: Battery Failures Pile Up
The Chevrolet Blazer EV scored 19 in Consumer Reports’ predicted-reliability ranking, and the same CR roundup notes that owners report numerous 12-volt battery failures. That small auxiliary battery runs accessories and can leave an otherwise charged EV unresponsive.
Anyone considering a Blazer EV should ask the dealer how 12-volt problems have been handled on comparable vehicles. Confirm that the remaining warranty is transferable on a used example, and keep records of every dead-battery event for future claims.
4. Genesis GV60: Pack Swaps and Loose Trim
The Genesis GV60 posted a predicted-reliability score of 21 in the Consumer Reports ranking summarized by Guide Auto’s top-ten report. Cited problems include full battery-pack replacements and windshield trim pieces coming off, an odd mix of major and minor faults.
A shopper eyeing a GV60 should check that any battery software updates and recall remedies are complete. Window and trim complaints are easy to spot on a test drive, so inspect the glass edges and seals closely before buying.
5. Mazda CX-90: Timing Chain Trouble
The Mazda CX-90 received a Consumer Reports predicted-reliability score of 23, and Guide Auto’s ranking write-up singles out premature timing chain failure among its engine problems. A stretched or failed chain can be among the costlier repairs on a modern engine.
Prospective owners should ask for complete maintenance records, especially oil change intervals, and listen for rattles on a cold start. Checking by VIN at NHTSA for open recalls is a free step that takes only a minute.
6. Kia EV9: Cells Needing Replacement
The Kia EV9 scored 24 in Consumer Reports’ predicted-reliability ranking, and Guide Auto’s list coverage mentions some battery pack cells requiring replacement. For a large electric SUV built around a big battery, that complaint is a notable one.
EV9 buyers can reduce risk by confirming the battery warranty length and what it covers. A used example deserves a battery health report if the dealer can supply one, along with proof that software updates were applied.
7. Kia EV6: Charging Unit Complaints
The Kia EV6 is described by Quartz’s reliability coverage as among the lowest in Consumer Reports’ 2026 survey of about 380,000 vehicles, with a predicted-reliability score of 25. Owners report problems with the charging control unit and the battery.
Because charging faults can strand a driver, a test of both home and public fast charging is worthwhile before purchase. Ask the seller whether the charging control unit has ever been replaced, and review what the warranty says about it.
8. Honda Prologue: Battery Replacement Reports
Consumer Reports flags the EV battery as a trouble spot for the Honda Prologue, an electric SUV, and Quartz’s roundup of the findings adds that the battery sometimes required full replacement. No numerical score appears in the research for this model.
A shopper should treat that note as a prompt for questions about battery coverage and service history. Look up recall and software-update status by VIN at NHTSA, and ask a dealer how long battery repairs have taken on recent Prologue service visits.
9. Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid: Best of a Bad Bunch
The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid earned a predicted-reliability score of 26 out of 100, the best result among the CR least-reliable ten, though still a poor mark. Reported trouble spots include transmission and engine problems.
Minivan families considering the plug-in hybrid should weigh the forecast against its warranty and any extended coverage on the hybrid system. A thorough test drive that includes shifts at low speed can reveal transmission behavior that spec sheets never mention.
10. Ford Explorer: Dropped From Recommended
The 2026 Ford Explorer scored 30 out of 100 for predicted reliability, and Ford Authority’s summary reports that Consumer Reports advises avoiding it, having dropped its recommendation in December 2025. The score is higher than others in this gallery but still low.
Explorer shoppers should read the current CR assessment directly and compare it with the dealer’s warranty terms. Checking recall history by VIN and asking for service documentation will help on any used or demo example.
11. Dodge Durango: Below the Average Car
For the 2026 Dodge Durango, Consumer Reports says it expects the model “will be less reliable than the average new car,” as shown on CR’s Durango reliability page. No numeric score is quoted in the material available here.
The statement is a forecast rather than a failure count, so it works best as a reason to scrutinize the particular vehicle. Review the service history, confirm recall work, and ask what the powertrain warranty covers before committing.
12. Jeep Grand Cherokee: Bottom of the Rankings
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is described by Gadget Review’s SUV roundup as sitting “at the reliability rankings’ bottom” among Consumer Reports’ least reliable 2026 SUVs. The faults cited involve steering, suspension and drivetrain.
Because the source gives no score, buyers should look up the current CR rating for the exact model year they want. A drive over rough pavement can reveal steering and suspension concerns, and a VIN check at NHTSA covers recalls.
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