So OzBargain has a love affair with Toyota and in fairness I personally think Japanese cars are the best for reliability (plug my Honda Civic)
But Top Speed has reported both Toyota and Lexus has lost their #1 & #2 spot
With Subaru taking #1 another impressive note is Audi has gone from, not very reliable at #12 up to fairly reliable in #6.
I'll note the worse performing brands by far the American big boys in Jeep Cadillac and GMC
Was curious to find the list myself. It looks like the article the OP has mentioned is actually referencing two different Consumer Reports lists. If I had to guess, I'd say that Top Speed re-posted it as an update to an older article but only partially updated the content.
Most of the article references this list - ie. Subaru score (68), Lexus score (65), Toyota score (62), Jeep and GMC scores (33), Cadillac score (27), and Rivian score (14):
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-s…
The very end of the same article references this list instead - ie. Audi climbing six spots to #6, Infiniti climbing six spots to "break into the top 10":
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/which-car-…
It would have been nice if the article just clearly referenced or linked to the consumer report it was writing about, but maybe that's too much to expect of journalism nowadays.
aww based on this article, BMW would be a good investment lol
Whoever listed Audi at 12 is an idiot.
Whoever listed Audi at 6 is an even bigger idiot.
Audis should be with Chery, Great Wall and MG.
Great Wall is actually proving to be fairly reliable with their newer models.
Chery & MG however not so much.
Audis belong in the reliability trash heap.
what about the Great Wall Ora?
Nah, It should be in the top 3. Typical Yanks report that puts German cars at a lower rank.
Maybe they’ve changed, but I’m not game to test that theory lol.
Agreed
I have a friend who has an 2017 Audi A3.
At about 70,000km (5 yuears old) it developed what seems to be slight engine or gearbox shudder or a slight miss on light acceleration from standing start.
Was reported to dealer under warranty and they didnt do anything about it.
Its still there 3 years later and still nobody has diagnosed the problem.
Now me thinks one of the ignition coils is failing as exactly the same roblem happened with my brothers 2017 Subaru!!!
So looks like coils installed in 2017 cars may have issues
Apologise to Chery, Great Wall and MG owners NOW!
Probably the same person who put Subaru at 1, maybe they sell head gaskets…
The CVT in my Subaru Liberty begs to differ
I'm still waiting for my 2005 outback with 375,000km on it to die and it refuses. Pre-CVT though.
My CVT in my 2012 Subaru Liberty is still going strong …. For now
Hmmm
4 issues with Subarus that I am aware of…
Automatic gearbox issues in late 2000s models where the gearbox gets stuck in gear. No mechanic or Subaru has been able to solve the issue.
The owner has had to purchase a scanner to reset the computer (engine light comes on) whener ever it happens so he can drive the car.
My brothers 2017 Subaru developed what seems to be slight engine or gearbox shudder or a slight miss on light acceleration from standing star.
Was reported to dealer under warranty and they didnt do anything about it.
Eventually after taking it to 2 mechanics and then back to Subaru it was one diagnosed to be one of the ignition coils failing.
After much debate and threatening to go to fair trading Subaru agreed to replace the failing couil but not the other 5 coils.
Due to the unique sideways design of the engine, carbon builds up quickly and the engine needs to be deacrbonaised at each service.
This was initially though to be the issue with my brothers Subaru
Extremely expensive parts - upwards of the cost of Merc parts (ouch!)
Personally Id never buy a Subaru - too many issues!
Gentle or spirited driving? What symptoms started appearing?
my 2014 Forester CVT hasnt missed a beat at 170k km.
Fair question- we have done maybe 5000 kms of light weight towing (a Jayco camper trailer - 1050kg fully loaded). All well within manufacturer specs and weights and requirements - trailer weight, gcm, payload, individual axel weights etc all checked.
Given it’s all within spec (yes keyboard warriors - professionally weighed) the cvt shouldn’t be giving us trouble at less than 100k
Update; sorry missed the symptoms bit. Delay in acceleration, minor slipping, had one or two loud clunks under heavy acceleration.
Subaru CVT designed for gentle driving, no off-road or towing.
Not great engineering, but if you drive gently and maintain it properly it will last.
There are a lot of better drivetrains available.
I know what you mean now but… when the Subaru user manual and published engineering tolerances indicate it's capable of doing something - then it's totally fair for an owner to do that thing and not expect catastrophic failure as a result.
Just another example of car manufacturers getting away with too much (in Australia particularly - we don't have adequate lemon laws)
just worth noting this all applies to the smaller of the two CVTs. the bigger one is more robust and has fewer issues, afaik. I have a 3.6L H6 outback with the CVT and it's great.
Another problem is it’s a common belief that the CVT fluid doesn’t need changing, but the service manual has a little asterisk to indicate it does need changing under certain conditions. Those conditions include towing and lots of short trips. Pretty much regular city driving lol.
170k is nothing. Report back at 300k.
That is an american report. More than a few toyotas in america are made there and they dont get many of the models built for other markets. Not sure if that skews data, but it could.
They also build Subarus for the American market in the US.
I forgot about the Tribeca. But they probably also make other models there too.
Toyota fell victim to a few weak links—the Tacoma, Tundra, and the all-electric bZ4X
Lol none of which are sold in large numbers here (or for the Tacoma, at all)
According to Consumer Reports, Subaru is the number one car brand when it comes to "new cars" and reliability. On the contrary, Subaru sits in ninth place when it comes to used cars and reliability. I would say this overall topic discusses car brands and their current lineup rather than their previous models. So, it still seems valid that Subaru takes the mantle as the most reliable car brand when it comes to its new models.
Interesting find in the comments section
Who gives a shit, it's just splitting hairs between the top 10.
It's like the false logic behind rationalising 5 star crash tests scores choosing a car over another. How less dead do you want to be in a crash, does crashing on at 83 points leaves you better than a car at 77, nah you're dead.
It's fairly safe to drive a 3-star car, as long as others drive 5 stars. It's not all about your safety anymore.
LOL this is such a joke. OP this is a poor site to use as a source, and I'd be willing to say that this is somewhat misleading information.
Firstly, this site is American, with model ranges that differ to the Aussie market. In Aus, Toyota has many more diesels - America has none. Whilst some Toyota diesels of late have more reported issues as a result of environmental regs - e.g. DPF, they are by far and large much more reliable than their already reliable petrol counterparts.
Secondly, Toyota of NA uses the 3.5L TT across a much larger range of vehicles (largely the Toyota Tundra) which is not yet available here (outside of the Lexus LS/LX) and will eventually still only sell here in limited numbers. This engine has been proven as a bit of a donkey, and with American pickup culture would be a much largely composition of their sales book (and hence problems) compared to Aus 4-cyl hybrid obsession (which have been proven to be reliable)
Thirdly, Subaru of North America (where this article is based), specifies a CVT fluid change interval of 60k miles (100k km) for all their CVT equipped models (nearly everything), whilst Subaru Australia says this is a 'lifetime' fluid, despite our harsher climate and more aggressive driving conditions on average. Look at all the Subaru AU forums and theres near continual posts of people with modern Subaru's at the 150-200k km mark that have blown trannies (despite full service history) as Subaru failed (and still fails) to acknowledge this fluid needs replacing. Dealers are now charging a pretty penny to replace with a new transmission, which will inevitably fail if not maintained properly.
Now I sound like a Toyota fanboy, but I have no Toyota's currently at home. I actually have a Subaru Outback, which has informed me of their issues. Subaru IMO has been dropping the ball of late with their product offerings (like Toyota in the 2010s) and is becoming a whitegoods vehicle supplier after culling their sports car range (and the manual tranny). One thing to say though is that the Outback will almost certainly be replaced with a Toyota/Lexus product. Why? Because they're proven to be the most reliable.
I have a Subaru I replace the CVT fluid myself
same here! but car people and others in the know think to do it.
your average family wont and then have an expensive bill later.
A dealership could easily make $300-500 profit replacing fluid on all the cars if they just suggested it, but no.
when do you replace CVT fluid? and does this applies to the boxer engine (86/brz)?
CVT is the gearbox, not the engine. All Subarus have Boxer engines for the last several decades.The BRZ is available in either a manual or auto, no CVT on offer.
What Tz said. Brz is the one model that’s non cvt (Thanks Toyota!) so no issues there.
CVT fluid to be replaced every 100k (less if stop start city stuff)
doesn't matter. a large sample size doesn't mean relevant results for us Aussies when many of the sample cars aren't available here or vice versa.
Or have very different maintenance schedules to Aussie equivalents (the main determinator of long-term reliability).
Also as @spackbace pointed out, this source lists it first for its 'new' reliability, but has it fall to 9th for used. So effectively this is just a test of how many of these cars have issues in the first 12 months. Not really a reliability test then is it? All these new cars become used cars very soon, and that's when a reliability rating carries it weight in gold
@Trying2SaveABuck: buddy not trying to flex but you're trying to imply im clueless here, which i know isn't true.
Look at my username and the likes ive got (incl. famous OzB people, MS Paint and Spackbace) and the reacts you have and tell me who's clueless here.
I've given logical points against your comments, and its being supported by other people.
I've been a car fanatic for decades and have friends directly in industry who pass on comments on the latest news/issues (i.e. I was well aware of Hyundai/Kia Theta 2.0 engine issues before they came to light here).
I don't care about the service schedules between a demo and new car mate (they're the exact same for the same car FYI - so even saying >90% shows you aren't mechanically inclined)
Industry lingo is that any car <12/24 months is considered new, whilst one past that point are considered used. That's what I was referring to.
A car thats under 2 years old, will be unlikely to have issues (more likely minor electrical things) whilst long-term reliability (5-10 years) is the more indicative marker of a brands reliability.
And yes a brand badge does always carry an amount of quality, but certain models/engines (Landcruisers/Hilux here) are flagships for longevity, so excluding them (and entire fuel type) and trying to be adamant you're right is showing your level of EQ.
Im not saying Subies are unreliable, they're just not #1
- but certain models/engines* (Landcruisers/Hilux here) are flagships for longevity,
And some are crap. What do Toyota do? Stick their head up somewhere it doesn't belong.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXgfJOmssO8
@Trying2SaveABuck: If you want use US market stats- even JDPower shows Lexus & Toyota still on top: https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2025-us-vehi…. JDPower
Also 'consumereport' - "based average predicted reliability score," with data based on asking their members… Easily biased.
If you want use US market stats- even JDPower shows Lexus & Toyota still on top: https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2025-us-vehi…. JDPower
And if you want to use Australian stats, Leyland P76, Holden Camira as car of the year plus, the Ranger with it's wet timing belt problem and whole gearbox replacement (sometimes twice) as 4WD Ute of the year a number of times.
when do you replace CVT fluid? and does this applies to the boxer engine (86/brz)?
Subaru haven't culled their sports car range.
They only really had the WRX in the past which they stopped making the STI.
They introduced and still have the BRZ.
How's the reliability of the current 2.4L BRZ with the manual transmission? Looking at getting one or its Toyota identical twin the GR86.
ummm.
manual forester turbos (and STI for imports)
liberty gt / 3.0 (with manuals too)
WRX's with an EJ and UEL header motor - the true subie
as you've mentioned the STI - which is the real hero car of their range (imagine BMW with no M series)
now their only offering is the WRX (with is largely selling as a CVT, and with a wagon with no manual - the combo car enthusiasts want)
These dont have the trick centre diff and have weaker manual trans than STI's of late.
The rest of the range is just a copy past FB20/FB25/ FB24T all with a CVT and just different bodies.
So yes I would say theyve culled it.
Current gen 2.4 BRZ with a manual, would be the best in their whole lineup, so go nuts. Likely the only Subaru product id want to buy new with my own money.
I forgot about those (Forester GT & Liberty Spec B) but I've always considered them a soft roader/GT cars, not sports cars in the same way as a 22B.
Sad about the WRX (like the Evo, 200sx), but they just don't sell many compared to the (very unsportlike) Forester, XV or Outback.
Seems like a lost opportunity not to develop a WRX STi given the WRX still exists. Peak WRX for me was the pig nose STi (shy of the unobtainable 22B)
I'm glad the BRZ and GR86 still exist. Will toss up between the two but most likely BRZ as it's cheaper and has better (aluminum) suspension components.
Seems like only Toyota is developing new niche sporty cars these days- GR Corolla, Yaris and Supra.
I think you'll find a lot of Subaru Forester owners love their car for its reliability.
about the same as Toyota lovers and there Kluger?
https://pressroom.toyota.com.au/PressRelease?pr-code=4f35ce0…
My partner traded hers in, because it was unreliable (and her ex-husbands scrapes didn't help either). She bought a smaller Suburu.
LOL @ BMW and Audi being above Hyundai and Kia on their "reliability" list… All this says to me is that someone is copping wristies under the table from large German automotive companies.
BMW N55 and B58 and trans are actually very reliable. Don't lump Audi in the mix, they are terrible and still are.
I will admit as an avid Euro shitbox hater, if I was forced to buy a Euro, it would 100% be a BMW. If there was a European “Toyota”, BMW would have to be at the top of that list.
Still, even as good as BMW is compared to all the other Euro trash wagons, there is no (fropanity) way that BMW as a whole, is more reliable than a Hyundai or a Kia.
BMW N55 and B58 and trans are actually very reliable.
The ZF transmission.
Time will tell about the B58.
While the engine itself may be reliable, it's the plastic cooling parts and plastic components which won't last.
Hiluxes (other models?) are made in Thailand with a lot of components made in non Japanese countries, so that line would certainly be losing it's bragging rights, when compared to the previous 100% Japanese iterations. Heaps of brands now use auto parts made all over the globe, so some facets of automotive quality have fallen generally. Subarus (generally) have had a good reputation for a while now, anyway.
Audis status in ppls minds does not equate to overall quality, or reliability nor does it make the driver 'special'.They seem to have pumped them out to keep up with demand, and that trick often fails. Ask Rocky Racoon.
The Hilux and most of it's components hasn't been made in Japan for 20 years now.
I know. Believe it or not there's still ppl who don't.
So where is the OZ version of the report that refers to OZ conditions and OZ cars?
Australia is similar, yet hotter.
Some vehichles are made in different factories, for both markets. IE Tesla.
What about Suzuki? I don't think there's any one brand that took Toyota's crown. I see a tonne of MGs on the road that would use to be Toyotas. Toyota still has the crown but it's gotten a bit silly, waiting to buy a hybrid Rav 4 for twice the price of similar Asian cars.
I'm confused. How can the Toyota 86 get less reliable while at the same time the Subaru BRZ get more reliable. The methodology is questionable.
Probably more 86's sold, so it skews the numbers.
I would have thought EVs are the most reliable. So much less to go wrong, at least in the critical areas. Is that the case?
exact opposite EV are plagued with issues - but this is 'more' a teething issue as EVs are still in their infancy compared to ICE which has been around for 200 years
think of the very 1st smart phones and all the issues it they had but as time went on bugs where fixed as versions went on - this is kind of 'what' we are seeing with EV
Got any facts to back up your claim of a plague? Amd what are the issues? Minor gripes about software bugs? Actual drivetrain failures?
A much simplified drivetrain should give less failure points. If its a plague of 'software issues' related to non drivetrain things, then id argue that most ICE cars will also have similar levels of software issues.
https://www.drive.com.au/news/vfacts-new-vehicle-sales-febru…
TOP 10 CAR BRANDS IN February 2025 - Australia
1 Toyota
2 Mazda
3 Kia
4 Ford
5 Mitsubishi
6 Hyundai
7 GWM
8 MG
9 Nissan
10. Subaru
Thats just sales. Not any measurement of reliability.
And reliability measurement is not easily obtainable in Australia, in the US some companies offer service packages, and they usually get data from them. In general, Toyota is reliable by word of mouth (contributing to higher resell value) and their cars are simplistic and work even if you miss a service schedule (less on maintenance).
those are 'sales' figures not realiability
Subaru also has a ring reinforced safety frame. Arguably, they make the safest cars.
That's just part of their overall safety strategy, it doesn't necessarily make their cars the safest. The marketing team has just picked it out and chosen to highlight it.
Toyota Losing Their Reliability Crown to Subaru
I don't think Toyota would give up the Crown. They've been making it since 1955.
" a few weak links—the Tacoma, Tundra, and the all-electric bZ4X, all of which dragged down the brand’s overall performance" So the rest of the range are still up to the normal Toyota standards
put a 15 year old Toyota next to a 15 year old Subaru and you will see the difference
Toyota way better.
I've had both and can say Toyota are way better, had so many issues with my old Subaru.
I dont disagree with this statement but i do know Suburs that are >15 years old and still run like new (same can be said with Toyotas)
I'll also say the same for my last Honda which i only don't have because some bloke smashed into it and wrote it off - otherwise in over 15 years I never had a single issue
Now try that with brand-new versions.
From my recollection servicing is 6 monthly with Subarus. So somewhat of an unfair comparison.
Now it’s 12 months or 15,000 kilometres (whichever occurs first).
talking about reliability, easier measurement maybe by checking:
1. taxi company - research done to buy in bulk
2. cars in conflict zone - self explanatory
Laughs in EJ257 🤣
boxer engine fun to drive expensive to repair
Hyundai cheaply made…. Shit customer service support
The Subaru my Parents purchased in 1983 is still in use as a daily drive.
Engine was eventually rebuilt when it had around 600,000 KM on it.
Prior to that only major maintenance was CV joints and oil pump.
Great that it still runs but a 1983 Subaru is a death trap if involved in moderate accident with a modern 2 tonne vehicle like a Ranger.
Where is the list?? All I want to know is how unreliable my car is.