Toyota Corolla Tops List of Most Reliable Vehicles as Electric Cars Appear on Top 100 List for First Time

Strategic Insights -

The 2015 CarMD Vehicle Health Index has been released, ranking the top 10 manufacturers and vehicles with the lowest combined check engine repair incidents and costs. Hyundai has moved from second place in 2014 to the top spot this year, edging out Toyota. The top 10 vehicle manufacturers are ranked based on model year 1996-2015 vehicles needing repairs between October 1, 2014, and September 30, 2015. Toyota has the most vehicles on the top 100 list with 18 overall, including six cars, six hybrids, four SUVs, and two trucks.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hyundai ranks no. 1, edging out Toyota (no. 2), with a lower than average repair cost and very low repair frequency.
  • Toyota has the most vehicles on the top 100 list with 18 overall, including six cars, six hybrids, four SUVs, and two trucks.
  • Electric cars appear on the top 100 list for the first time, with three electric vehicles making the list: the 2013 Ford C-Max (no. 33), 2014 Nissan Leaf (no. 50), and 2014 Ford C-Max (no. 82).
  • Ford had the lowest average repair cost among the top manufacturers ($309), which is more than 20 percent less than the average cost to repair a check engine light-related problem in the U.S.
  • Nissan had the highest overall repair cost ($430) and the most common repair was "replace catalytic converter."
  • The top-ranked vehicles by category are: Toyota (2015 Corolla), Toyota (2014 Prius), and Toyota (2012 Prius).
  • Mercedes-Benz earned two of the top spots in the Luxury category with its 2011 C and E class vehicles.
  • The most common repairs by brand/mark are: "replace oxygen sensor" (15% of Mitsubishi repairs), "replace ignition coil" (33% of Lincoln's), and "replace mass air flow sensor" (19% of Porsche's).
  • The data for the 2015 CarMD Vehicle Health Index was procured from CarMD's database of verified repair needs.

Statistics:

  • 251,000 repairs recommended for model year 1996 to 2015 vehicles in the United States from October 1, 2014, to September 30, 2015.
  • Toyota has 18 vehicles on the top 100 list, including six cars, six hybrids, four SUVs, and two trucks.
  • Electric cars account for three spots on the top 100 list.
  • Ford's average repair cost is $309, which is more than 20 percent less than the average cost to repair a check engine light-related problem in the U.S.
  • Nissan's average repair cost is $430, with the most common repair being "replace catalytic converter."

Sources:

  • CarMD.com Corp.
  • R.L. Polk (vehicle population data)
  • PR Newswire (original version)