According to this study, electric cars and plug-in hybrids have 80 % more problems than others: the good and the bad pupils

The timing is interesting. While Stellantis has just taken the decision to end the production and marketing of numerous plug-in hybrid models in North America, a recently published benchmark study sheds light on the actual reliability of the various electrification technologies. And the figures are clear: according to Consumer Reports, electric cars and plug-in hybrids have an average of 80 % more problems than conventional combustion-powered models. A finding that resonates with recent news from the Stellantis Group, but is not limited to its own case. The study concerns all automakers.

A large-scale study that's shaking things up

Consumer Reports' annual survey is based on feedback from almost 380,000 owners, covering model years 2000 to 2025, with even some preliminary data on 2026 models. The analysis focuses mainly on the last three years of production, the period deemed most representative of the current offering. First major finding: non-plug-in hybrids (HEVs) are the most reliable vehicles on the market today, with around 15 % fewer problems than combustion-powered cars. Conversely, electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are characterized by much higher failure rates.

According to Consumer Reports, this difference is primarily due to technological maturity. The more recent the architecture, the more complex it is, and the more it breaks with existing technology, the greater the risk of failure. High-capacity batteries, recharging systems, sophisticated thermal management, increased dependence on software: the potential sources of malfunction are multiplying.

Is plug-in hybrid technology too complex?

On paper, plug-in hybrids appear to be an ideal compromise. In fact, the study highlights that it is one of the most complex technologies to design and make reliable. Unlike conventional hybrids, PHEVs have to cope with an extremely wide range of uses: driving in 100 % electric mode, external recharging, heating and air conditioning without a combustion engine, while retaining a complete powertrain.

This complexity translates into high failure rates on several well-identified models. Among the least reliable plug-in hybrids are the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and Chrysler Pacifica PHEV. Three emblematic Stellantis models, all of which will cease production and marketing in North America from 2026 onwards.

But Stellantis is far from an isolated case. The study also points the finger at the Ford Escape PHEV, the Mazda CX-90 PHEV and the Volvo XC60 PHEV. At Mazda, renowned for its historic reliability, the introduction of entirely new platforms on the CX-90 and CX-70, including the PHEV versions, has led to a significant drop in reliability scores. Consumer Reports insists that major technical changes, even at experienced manufacturers, often generate problems comparable to those of emerging brands.

Electric vehicles: wide variations

The picture is similar for electric cars. While, on average, they have more problems than combustion-powered models, not all are created equal. Consumer Reports highlights clear differences between manufacturers. Tesla emerges as the manufacturer that has made the most progress in recent years. With the exception of the Cybertruck, an entirely new and radical model, the brand's other vehicles boast average to above-average reliability. The Model Y is even named as the most reliable new electric vehicle according to the study.

In contrast, several electric models from Hyundai, Kia and Genesis suffer from recurring problems. Premium brands have not been spared, but some have fared better. BMW, the fifth most reliable brand in the overall ranking, posted solid scores for its i4, i5 and iX electric models. Lexus, the third most reliable brand across all powertrains, even places its RZ among the best performers in the electric segment.

Why HEV hybrids remain the big winners

While non-plug-in hybrids dominate the reliability rankings, Consumer Reports urges caution in their interpretation. Their success is largely due to the experience accumulated by certain automakers over almost thirty years. Toyota, Lexus and Honda, for example, have developed their hybrid systems in small, gradual steps.

In contrast, many recent PHEVs and electric vehicles are based on entirely new platforms, often developed under time pressure to meet environmental regulations. This difference in industrial philosophy largely explains the discrepancies observed today.

Stellantis bets on HEV?

Stellantis' decision to abandon its plug-in hybrids in North America seems less ideological than pragmatic. Between massive recalls, industrial complexity and perfectible reliability, the group seems to be learning the lessons of a technology that is still immature on a large scale. The Consumer Reports study does not condemn either electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids. It highlights a more nuanced reality: not all forms of electrification are equal when it comes to technological maturity. By focusing more on non-plug-in hybrids and range-extending electric vehicles, Stellantis is joining a broader trend observed among several automakers. It remains to be seen whether this approach can be transposed to Europe, where constraints on CO₂ emissions remain far more stringent. One thing is certain: behind the marketing rhetoric, reliability is once again becoming a central criterion.