Consumer Reports’ 2025 used car reliability study revealed that Tesla, a pioneer in the electric vehicle revolution, is the most problematic brand in America for used models aged 5 to 10 years.

Tesla fails to satisfy in the used car market

The company ranked last among 26 automotive brands, receiving a reliability score of 31. This result puts Tesla behind brands like Jeep (32 points), Ram (35 points), and Chrysler (36 points). The study shows that older Tesla models, especially those in the used car market, struggle to meet expectations in terms of overall ownership experience.

While the findings paint a negative picture for older models, the report notes a significant improvement in Tesla’s recent production quality. All of the company’s newest models now offer “above-average reliability.”

In fact, Tesla ranks among the top ten brands in Consumer Reports’ new car predictability ranking, surpassing established manufacturers like Ford, Chevrolet, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Volkswagen.

Despite improving its production quality, Tesla has recently been in the news with numerous recalls. The company has issued recalls across a wide range of models, from the flagship Model S to the all-new Cybertruck.

This year alone, Tesla recalled over 46,000 Cybertrucks to address an issue with the exterior panel that could detach while driving. In January, it also recalled over 200,000 vehicles due to a software bug affecting the rearview cameras.

In recent years, the company has recalled millions of vehicles for a range of issues, from autopilot errors and brake fluid detection problems to faulty touchscreens and defective seatbelt warning systems.

Market data shows that used Tesla prices have fallen sharply since the pandemic years. During that period, federal tax incentives significantly boosted demand for electric vehicles in America. However, with the withdrawal of these incentives, demand has softened, and consumers are turning to internal combustion engine vehicles or plug-in hybrid models.