The Cars Most Likely to Let You Down, According to New Survey Results

TTAC Staff
by TTAC Staff
Photo credit: Prostock-studio / Shutterstock.com

In the automotive world, high owner satisfaction hinges on a simple yet crucial aspect: delivering what is promised to consumers. Vehicles that align with or exceed their advertised claims are often seen leading in owner satisfaction rankings. This observation is critical in the automotive industry, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling consumer expectations. In line with this, Consumer Reports has released a survey identifying the 10 car and SUV models that rank lowest in terms of owner satisfaction.

Measuring Satisfaction Among Car Owners

The gauge for owner satisfaction is derived from survey responses, where car owners indicate whether they would choose to buy the same car model again. This question serves as a direct barometer of whether the car has lived up to, or possibly exceeded, the owner's initial expectations.

Evaluating Vehicles Holistically

Owner satisfaction scores become even more informative when paired with evaluations of a vehicle's testing and reliability. For individuals considering a car purchase, these combined ratings provide a comprehensive picture of a car's performance and reliability, playing a critical role in their decision-making.

Survey Insights: Least Satisfying Cars

Recent survey findings have led to the identification of the ten least satisfying car models. This information is invaluable for prospective buyers, offering insights into which models may fall short of meeting consumer expectations. The list, ordered by the percentage of owners who would repurchase the model, is as follows:

  1. Infiniti QX50 (25 percent Would Buy Again)
  2. Volkswagen Taos (38 percent Would Buy Again)
  3. Nissan Sentra (39 percent Would Buy Again)
  4. Kia Sorento Hybrid (42 percent Would Buy Again)
  5. Nissan Kicks (44 percent Would Buy Again)
  6. Kia Seltos (45 percent Would Buy Again)
  7. Mercedes-Benz C-Class (46 percent Would Buy Again)
  8. Kia Forte (47 percent Would Buy Again)
  9. Volkswagen Jetta (47 percent Would Buy Again)
  10. Nissan Altima (48 percent Would Buy Again)
Making Informed Car Buying Decisions

The findings from this survey serve as an essential guide for those in the market for a new car. Knowing which models have lower satisfaction rates can steer consumers towards more informed choices, potentially enhancing their overall satisfaction with their vehicle purchase.

This article was co-written using AI and was then heavily edited and optimized by our editorial team.

TTAC Staff
TTAC Staff

More by TTAC Staff

Comments
Join the conversation
 2 comments
  • Scott So they are losing hundreds of millions of dollars and they are promising us a “Cheaper EV”? I wonder how that will look and feel? They killed the Fiesta because they claimed that they couldn’t make a profit on them and when I bought the first one in late 2010 they couldn’t deliver the accessories I wanted for it! Then I bought a 2016 Fiesta ST and again couldn’t get the accessories for it I wanted. They claimed that the components were going to be available, eventually. So they lost on that one as well! I don’t care about what they say anymore. I’ve moved on to another brand.
  • Michael S6 CX 70 or 90 will not be on my buying list. Drove a rental base CX 90 and it was noisy and the engine noise was not pleasant. Ride was rough for a family SUV. Mazda has to understand that what is good for Miata isn't what we expect in semi luxury SUV. My wife's 2012 Buick Enclave has much better Ride and noise level albeit at worse gas millage. Had difficulty pairing my phone with Apple CarPlay
  • Michael S6 What is the metric conversion between one million barrels and the number of votes he expects to buy.
  • NJRide This could give Infiniti dealers an extra product maybe make it a sub brand
  • Lou_BC Mr. Posky outraged over an old guy passing er releasing some gas. How are those sedan sales going?
Next