Why Tesla Ranked Low On Consumer Reports' 2021 Reliability Survey

While Tesla has been at the forefront of electric vehicle manufacturing, the 2021 Consumer Report Reliability Survey, published Thursday, ranked Tesla’s cars as some of the least reliable vehicles on the market.

Reliability ratings show how well vehicles hold up over time, and how likely vehicle problems or repairs will inconvenience the owner. The survey relies on data collected from Consumer Reports members on their experience with over 300,000 vehicles.

Tesla ranked in the bottom three of 28 auto brands at 27th, while Lexus, Mazda, and Toyota vehicles ranked in the top 3. Tesla’s Model Y, Model X, and Model S were all reported to have body hardware problems, receiving below-average reliability scores.

The Model Y has tailgate and door alignment plus paint defects among other problems. The Model X and Model S also were reported to have climate systems and in-car electronic issues. The Model 3, however, had an average reliability score.

According to CNBC, Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing at Consumer Reports, Model Y owners also reported problems with heat pumps, air conditioning, body panels that do not line up, and missing seals that cause water leaks in the trunk.

Tesla “will switch major components, suppliers or sensors, and other units [often]. The more you change, the greater the chances you’re going to have some problems,” Fisher explained.

In general, the survey indicated that hybrid and plug-in vehicles are the most reliable models, but fully electric vehicles are some of the least reliable. Problems that users listed with EVs generally involved climate controls, in-car electronics, and power equipment. Notably, the powertrain in these vehicles, which includes the engine, transmission, and drivetrain, was not among the main problems users reported.

“For [electric vehicle] introductions, there is a tendency to just add so much tech that is not necessary,” Fisher said, but added, “There’s no reason fully electric cars can’t be as reliable or even more reliable than traditional vehicles with internal combustion engines. It’s how [automakers] implement the technology.”