12 SUVs Hit With Major Reliability Failures in 2025 Across the U.S.

Twelve of America’s hottest SUVs for 2025 are blindsiding buyers, racking up reliability scores that plunge into the teens on a 100‑point scale while suffering breakdowns, failing hybrid systems, and glitchy electronics.

Instead of worry‑free family haulers, owners are juggling tow trucks, service appointments, and repair bills that can rival a second car payment on vehicles that often sticker well above 60,000 dollars.​

The 12 SUVs Under Fire

Owner surveys and Consumer Reports–based analyses converge on a core group of 12 SUVs drawing the harshest reliability criticism in 2025. These models span compact, midsize, and full‑size segments and range from budget‑friendly to luxury‑priced, turning what should be versatile family vehicles into potential money pits across the entire SUV market.​

1) Jeep Grand Cherokee (Including 4xe PHEV)

The Jeep Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L rank among the least reliable 2025 models overall, with a reliability score of about 22 on a 100‑point scale.

Reported trouble spots include the drive system, engine electronics, steering and suspension, climate system, brakes, in‑car tech, body hardware, and persistent noises and leaks that show up disturbingly early in ownership.​

2) Mazda CX‑90 PHEV

Mazda’s CX‑90 plug‑in hybrid three‑row SUV has quickly become a reliability outlier despite the brand’s historically strong reputation.

Data tied to owner surveys give the CX‑90 PHEV a reliability score around 15 out of 100, with reports of high‑voltage battery issues, transmission quirks, and recurring software or electronics glitches that can trigger warning lights, limp‑home modes, or diminished performance.​

3) Mazda CX‑70 PHEV

The closely related Mazda CX‑70 PHEV shares many components with the CX‑90 and shows similar reliability problems.

It carries a predicted reliability score in the same mid‑teens range, with owners citing powertrain faults, electrical malfunctions, and climate‑system issues that undermine its pitch as an upscale two‑row family SUV built for long‑distance comfort.​

Expert Take on Mazda’s Plug‑In Misstep

These plug‑in results clash with Mazda’s usual image as a safe reliability bet. One review based on Consumer Reports’ analysis notes that the CX‑90 PHEV “is on the wrong side of reliable, which comes as a bit of a surprise given Mazda’s reputation as one of the most reliable car brands,” and a recent video warns it’s the least reliable three‑row midsize SUV in its class.​

4) Ford Escape Hybrid

The Ford Escape Hybrid, once highlighted as an efficient family crossover, is now singled out as one of the least reliable 2025 models, with a score around 21 out of 100.

Owners report problems with the hybrid battery, premature brake issues, electrical accessories, engine electronics, and infotainment failures, along with squeaks, rattles, and leaks that erode confidence over time.​

5) Volkswagen Taos

Volkswagen’s Taos, aimed at budget‑conscious buyers, earns some of the harshest feedback in the subcompact SUV segment.

Owner‑focused coverage describes it as one of the least reliable subcompact SUVs, citing engine stumbling and leaks, braking problems, in‑car electronics faults, and various noises or water ingress appearing within the first few years of ownership.​

6) Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler remains an off‑road icon but continues to attract reliability complaints when used as a daily driver.

Reports highlight steering and suspension problems, including the notorious “death wobble” at speed, alongside electrical glitches and infotainment issues, keeping Wrangler near the bottom of its class in predicted long‑term dependability.​

7) Chevrolet Blazer

Chevrolet’s Blazer, a midsize crossover marketed heavily on styling and sportiness, appears in 2025 rundowns of the most unreliable SUVs.

Owners and reviewers describe hard or hesitant transmission shifts, occasional trouble with turbocharged engines, and cabin tech that freezes or malfunctions, leading to reliability scores in the low‑30s out of 100, well below the new‑SUV average.​

8) GMC Yukon

The GMC Yukon, a full‑size SUV popular for towing and large families, lands on multiple 2025 “most unreliable” lists.

Survey‑based data give the Yukon a reliability score around 31 out of 100, with owners reporting lifter failures in some V8 engines, transmission slipping, and electronics problems that can sideline this big hauler for extended repairs.​

9) Chevrolet Tahoe

Sharing a platform and drivetrains with the Yukon, the Chevrolet Tahoe shows a similar pattern of trouble.

Feedback and reliability scoring point to powertrain faults, including transmission concerns, plus dashboard and tech issues, pushing the Tahoe toward the lower end of full‑size SUVs for predicted reliability despite its strong towing and passenger‑carrying credentials.​

10) Jeep Wagoneer

The Dodge Wagoneer is positioned as a premium three‑row SUV with a starting price around 65,000 dollars, yet its dependability has been questioned.

Owners and analysts report electronics malfunctions, software bugs, and build‑quality issues, landing it on several 2025 “avoid” lists drawn from large‑sample reliability data and real‑world owner experiences.​

11) Lincoln Corsair

The Lincoln Corsair, a compact luxury SUV, appears in “least reliable SUV” line‑ups for 2025 alongside models like the CX‑90 PHEV and Escape Hybrid.

Survey data flag problems with electronics, drivetrain refinement, and build quality, dragging down its predicted reliability relative to key rivals in the entry‑luxury segment that offer similar features with fewer reported defects.​

12) Jeep Compass

In extended breakdowns of 2025 reliability data, the Jeep Compass is frequently named among the 12 most unreliable SUVs.

Analysts describe recurring engine and transmission issues, along with technology glitches and fit‑and‑finish complaints, echoing prior years in which the Compass lagged most small‑SUV competitors on long‑term dependability metrics.​

The Data Behind the Rankings

Recent reliability analyses draw from hundreds of thousands of survey responses covering hundreds of thousands of vehicles across roughly 20 defined trouble‑spot categories.

One consumer organization warns that “an unreliable vehicle can become a long‑term financial burden,” emphasizing how repeated failures in engines, transmissions, or electronics can significantly increase total cost of ownership.​

Complexity and Electronics Drive Many Failures

Experts say rising mechanical and software complexity is a core factor behind these poor scores. Hybrid and plug‑in drivetrains add batteries, cooling systems, and control modules, while modern SUVs layer on advanced driver‑assist features and large infotainment screens, any of which can introduce new failure points and expensive diagnostic work when something goes wrong.​

Real‑World Impact on Owners

For many families, frequent warning lights, sudden loss of power, or malfunctioning driver‑assist systems can quickly turn a new SUV into a source of anxiety.

Large‑scale survey data show that these 12 models generate significantly more problem reports than the average new vehicle, translating into more time in service bays and higher long‑term costs.​

What Experts Advise Shoppers to Do

Analysts and consumer advocates urge shoppers to look beyond styling, towing numbers, and screen size when choosing an SUV.

They recommend checking the latest reliability scores, reviewing recall histories, and comparing common problem areas by model before signing a contract, especially on hybrids and plug‑ins where repair costs can escalate quickly.​

Steps for Current Owners

Owners who already have one of these SUVs are advised to stay current with software updates and recall work and to keep detailed repair records.

Promptly addressing warning lights, unusual noises, or leaks can sometimes keep a manageable issue from escalating into a major engine, transmission, or hybrid‑system failure that is far more expensive and disruptive.