The 2011 Autos issue of Consumer Reports has hit the stands, and once again, the magazine strives to identify those makes and models that are vehicular creampuffs and lemons.
To that end, based on the magazine’s considerable research, the following rides (model years 2001-2010) were classified as the “worst of the worst.” According to Consumer Reports, these vehicles (listed alphabetically) have multiple years of reliability that’s “much worse than average.”
So, how about it readers? Do these cars and trucks show up in your shop on an all-too frequent basis? And for that matter, based on your own personal experience, are there other models you’d like to see added to the “worst of the worst” list?
“Worst of the Worst” List: Audi A6 (2.7T, 3.0T) BMW 535i (AWD) BMW X5 Cadillac SRX (AWD) Chevrolet Astro Chevrolet Aveo Chevrolet Blazer Chevrolet Colorado (4WD) Chevrolet Impala (V8) Chevrolet S-10 Pickup (4WD) Chevrolet Uplander Chrysler PT Cruiser (Turbo) Chrysler Town & Country Dodge Caravan Dodge Grand Caravan GMC Acadia (AWD) GMC Canyon (4WD) GMC S-15 Sonoma (4WD) GMC Safari Hummer H3 Jaguar S-Type XF Kia Sedona Mercedes-Benz R-Class Mini Cooper Convertible Pontiac G6 Coupe & Convertible Saturn Outlook (FWD) Saturn Relay Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible Volkswagen Passat (V6, FWD)
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Edited comments may appear in Canadian Technician magazine.
May 02, 2012 - supraenthusiast says: “ i see a mazda 3 or 6 almost daily with some issue from cluster issues to lighting issues , strut problems, trailing arm bushings , a week ago i replaced a whole headlight assembly on an 08 mazda 6 because it uses a ground thats wired in series internally with one plug outlet ”
September 24, 2011 - the headnob says: “ I DON'T BELIEVE ANY OF THESE REPORTS THEY ONLY GET IT HALF RIGHT ON A GOOD DAY MUST OF THE GUYS THAT DO THESE DONT KNOW THE DIFF BETWEEN THIER PE#$%@S AND THEIR A#@%^@H%$# ”
March 31, 2011 - ADAMFRONET says: “ They totally forgot the Intrepid and the Aztek.. those too are terrible vehicles lol ”
March 12, 2011 - Anonymous says: “ oh yeah !!! G.M. junk is what puts the bread and butter on my table!!! ”
March 08, 2011 - Anonymous says: “ No suprise on most especially Audi and Volks, Junk!!! ”
March 08, 2011 - Anonymous says: “ I do not see the VW Routan. Is the same vehicle as the Town & Country. And no Toyotas? Anybody that listnes to their biased comments is foolish. ”
March 08, 2011 - TTARR says: “ I own and operate a BMW specialty shop in Victoria and have my own theory on the reliability issue. First of all,the BMW brand has equalized(due to economy mostly)to a price point(especially the X5)that most can afford to purchase. That being said I see that a good amount of people that purchased these vehicles because they can now "afford it" do not take into consideration the cost of routine maintenance, therefore head to quick oil change outlets(that do there job well mind you)but lack the preventitive eye search that a dealer or specialty shop provide. I have watched the X5 evolve since its release and show no signs of reliability worries within my 2000+ client base(of which there are many X5's). I would be interested to see a consumer report that also includes the maintenance/service history of these vehicles. ”
March 08, 2011 - Martin says: “ Well that just saddens me...my beloved BMW is at the top of list. Twice!! ”
“ i see a mazda 3 or 6 almost daily with some issue from cluster issues to lighting issues , strut problems, trailing arm bushings , a week ago i replaced a whole headlight assembly on an 08 mazda 6 because it uses a ground thats wired in series internally with one plug outlet ”