America’s electric vehicle push encountered a stark setback as Consumer Reports’ 2025 reliability survey identified 10 models with failure rates hitting rock bottom, including scores as low as 5 out of 100. Owners of these vehicles, from $40,000 crossovers to $80,000 luxury SUVs, grapple with battery breakdowns, charging breakdowns, and software crashes amid the industry’s worst dependability since 2009.
Electric vehicles promised mechanical simplicity over gas counterparts, yet data shows they face 42% more problems overall. Battery wear, charging system failures, and infotainment meltdowns lead the complaints, with some 2025 models carrying over flaws from prior years. These issues pull down broader industry scores, fueling nationwide caution among prospective buyers.
Scoring Reliability
Consumer Reports compiles scores from owner surveys covering the first three years of ownership across 20 categories like batteries, electronics, drivetrains, and software. Ratings run from 0 to 100, where above 80 signals strong performance and below 30 warns of major unreliability. Thousands of verified reports nationwide form the basis, highlighting patterns in real-world use.
Ultium Platform Woes
General Motors’ Ultium battery system draws intense scrutiny after powering the Chevrolet Blazer EV and Cadillac Lyriq, both scoring 5 out of 100. Owners cite battery faults, overheating, and erratic software. As the platform supports multiple GM electrics, its shortcomings ripple across the lineup, prompting questions about whether accelerated development sacrificed thorough testing.
Trouble Across Price Points
Failures strike every segment. Affordable options like the $40,000 Volkswagen ID.4 (29/100) suffer battery glitches and charging hiccups. Midrange Ford F-150 Lightning ($50,000, 28/100) sees battery management collapses and sudden power losses. Premium picks falter too: Lucid Air ($70,000), Rivian R1T ($75,000, 18/100) with six recalls for powertrain woes, Rivian R1S ($80,000, 29/100) hit by seven recalls, and Audi Q8 e-tron ($75,000) plagued by electrical outages and rapid battery drain.
The Bottom 10 Countdown
These rankings stem from persistent owner reports and recalls within early ownership. The 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV tops the unreliability list, predicted to repeat its 5/100 score with ongoing Ultium defects. The 2025 Cadillac Lyriq ranks second, showing no meaningful fixes for battery and software ills. Volkswagen ID.4 sits at fourth after inadequate remedies for multi-year problems. Ford F-150 Lightning takes third amid truck-scale EV complexities. Rivian duo—R1S fifth, R1T sixth—grapple with scaling pains. Lucid Air (seventh) faced three recalls post-launch. Original Blazer EV and Lyriq anchor the lower ranks, exposing platform vulnerabilities.
Real-World Fallout
Battery swaps run $5,000 to $15,000 post-warranty, while charging failures leave drivers stranded and software bugs immobilize cars. Parts shortages stretch repairs for months, turning routine ownership into prolonged ordeals. Automakers respond variably: Rivian claims 71% yearly gains, GM deploys Ultium task forces, and others push recalls and updates—though some fixes spawn fresh glitches.
Yet context tempers the gloom. J.D. Power’s 2025 study notes 33% EV reliability gains year-over-year, with hybrids leading overall. Standouts like Tesla Model Y and Mini Electric hit near-perfect marks, proving issues tie to specific makers. Smart buyers now prioritize proven brands such as Tesla, Hyundai, or Kia, seek extended warranties, scour owner groups, and wait post-launch. As adoption hinges on trust, manufacturers’ ability to deliver fixes will define the market’s next phase.
Sources:
Consumer Reports Reveals the 10 Electric Cars With the Worst Reliability in 2025. BamaCooley, December 5, 2025.
2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). J.D. Power, February 12, 2025.
Ford F-150 Lightning Among CR’s Least Reliable Vehicles. Ford Authority, December 9, 2024.
VW ID.4 Reliability Sinks: CR Score 29/100, Battery Recalls. SpeedMe, 2025.
Consumer Reports Lists Rivian Dead Last in Reliability Rankings. USA Today, October 24, 2025.
Hybrids Are Still the Most Reliable Cars, CR Survey Shows. Consumer Reports, December 3, 2025.