Editor’s note: This article was updated on 05/18/2023

Every year, massive surveys collect information about hundreds of thousands of cars and their owners. This survey generates data about the reliability of those cars. With that data, it’s also possible for the car critic to rank automakers and car brands by their reliability. As it turns out, American brands didn’t do well. According to some of the most recent reliability data, here’s a look at the five least reliable American car brands.

5. Ford

According to USA Today, it was immediately apparent that American car brands didn’t perform well in 2023 regarding reliability. Unfortunately, the Blue Oval is one of the least reliable options.

This shouldn’t be surprising given that Ford primarily focuses on SUVs and trucks, and both segments are unreliable. In fact, the Ford Explorer earned a top spot on Car Complaints’ list of the least reliable vehicles on the road. 

4. Tesla

Unfortunately, Tesla’s predicted reliability figures leave much to be desired. Tesla’s reliability problems are more general, affecting areas of the cars such as their body, their paint and trim, and their climate system. The Model 3 is Tesla’s most popular car and has the brand’s highest reliability rating. 

However, the Model 3’s reliability rating is still average compared to other cars. On the other hand, the Model S, Model X, and the Model Y all have below-average reliability ratings. That said, EVs, in general, did not do well in terms of reliability, and there were EVs that scored worse overall than any Tesla did. 

3. Chevrolet 

The most unreliable EV on the market right now is a Chevrolet, the Bolt EV and EUV. Due to various problems, the Chevy Bolt is the most unreliable EV in the GM lineup, despite its popularity. Moreover, Chevy will discontinue the model moving forward.

That said, the Bolt isn’t even the most unreliable Chevy model. The most unreliable Chevy is the Silverado 1500. Unfortunately, the Silverado pickup truck failed to earn a spot on iSeeCars’ longest-lasting vehicles study alongside rivals like the Toyota Tundra and Ford F-150.

2. GMC

Since GMC is a car brand owned by General Motors, the same company that owns Chevrolet, GMC isn’t far behind Chevy in terms of reliability. Indeed, the GMC Sierra 1500, which is almost identical to the Silverado, is similar to the Silverado in terms of unreliability. However, the GMC Yukon XL managed to earn the No. 5 spot on a lifespan study for the longest-lasting production vehicles.

1. Jeep

The least reliable American car brand is Jeep, and this shouldn’t be a surprise for Jeep fans. Unfortunately, Jeep has four of Car Complaints’ picks for the worst used cars for reliability.  

Do you think these brands deserve the bad rap? Tell us in the comments below!