Subaru just topped Consumer Reports’ reliability rankings, beating out Toyota and Lexus for the first time. But the same year it claims the throne, Subaru’s issuing a major recall for faulty airbags in over 118,000 vehicles. So, is Subaru really the most reliable automaker? Or does this recall prove that no car company is perfect?

First, Subaru beat Toyota and Lexus reliability

For years, Toyota and Lexus dominated Consumer Reports’ reliability rankings. But this time, Subaru took the crown. The rankings come from surveys of over 300,000 car owners. They report problems with their vehicles, and Consumer Reports crunches the numbers to predict which brands are the most dependable.

Subaru scored high because most of its models share tried-and-true components. That means fewer surprise issues when it redesigns a car. Toyota, meanwhile, took a hit from problems with its redesigned Tacoma, Tundra, and bZ4X EV. Lexus also slipped due to tech-related issues in some models.

Second, the airbag recall

At the same time, Subaru is recalling certain 2020-2022 Legacy and Outback models for a serious airbag defect. The issue? A faulty sensor might cause the passenger airbag to shut off, even when someone is sitting in the passenger’s seat. That’s a major safety risk in a crash.

The culprit is a part made by Aisin, a supplier that also works with Toyota and Honda. Those brands have issued similar recalls. Subaru dealerships will replace the faulty sensors for free.

So, is Subaru still the most reliable automaker?

Reliability doesn’t mean “problem-free.” It just means a car is less likely to have expensive or frustrating issues. The airbag recall is serious, but it’s a one-time fix. It’s not the same as, say, an engine that burns oil or a transmission that fails early.

Subaru’s high ranking comes from avoiding major mechanical issues. Its long-lasting all-wheel-drive systems, simple engines, and shared parts across models make for dependable cars. But this recall proves no automaker is perfect.

The big picture on reliable automakers

So, what does this all mean? Subaru earned its top reliability ranking by avoiding the costly redesign issues that hurt Toyota and Lexus. But this airbag recall proves that even the most dependable brands aren’t immune to defects. If anything, it’s a reminder that reliability is about the big picture—not just one perfect year.