AutoOnInfo.net: The Guide to Past, Present and Future Automobile Quality
Skip Navigation Links: Automobile Reliability: Menu and Summary of 2012 GPAs: Worst Cars and Trucks in 2012

 Shop Amazon.com via Auto on Info.

2012 Auto, Brand, and Manufacturer Reliability GPAs and Grades

Skip Navigation Links
Home Page
Automobile ReliabilityExpand Automobile Reliability
Automobile DurabilityExpand Automobile Durability
Automobile QualityExpand Automobile Quality
Brand Grades + Mkt SharesExpand Brand Grades + Mkt Shares
Shares of CR's Bad CarsExpand Shares of CR's Bad Cars
CAA's Excellence Awards
RI's 2007 Top 200
HI's 2006 Best and Worst
True Values of Big 3s
High Mileage Roster
History of Ford Fires
DaimlerChrysler Letter
Auto Ezine Articles
Auto ArticlesBase Articles
Visitor Comments
Website Awards Received
PDF Files
Site Manager
Best Answer Cites
Charts for Reports
History of AutoOnInfo.net
 		  

2012's Worst Cars and Trucks Sold in North America: Table and Charts
by James Bleeker

This page provides the table giving the 2012 Auto Reliability GPAs of the worst cars and trucks in 2012, a chart of manufacturer shares of the worst in 2012, and a chart depicting the Overall Reliability GPAs of the 20 best vehicle models in 2012 (21 by tie) and 20 worst vehicle models in 2012 (22 by tie).

The Table

The table below provides the 2012 Auto Reliability GPAs and Grades of the worst of the convertibles, coupes, sedans, hatchbacks, wagons, minivans, sport-utility vehicles (SUVs and XUVs), and pickup trucks sold in the U.S.

Reliability GPAs for 4 age ranges are given so that the visitor may examine more closely the age range that is of greater interest to him or her.

Letter grades for automobile reliability are determined thusly: A if the Auto Reliability GPA is 3.50 to 4.00, B if the Auto Reliability GPA is 2.50 to 3.49, C if the Auto Reliability GPA is 1.50 to 2.49, D if the Auto Reliability GPA is 0.50 to 1.49, and F if the Auto Reliability GPA < 0.50.

The list of the worst in 2012 includes those vehicles with an Overall Auto Reliability GPA from 0 to 1.84 - in letter grade, from the lowest F to a low C. The list is in ascending order of Overall GPA, i.e., from worst to less worse.

The list of the worst cars and trucks in 2012 is of value to those buyers who want to avoid the worst, but are rather indifferent to whether a vehicle model is among the best.

The Reliability GPAs and Grades of the Worst Motor Vehicles in 2012
ID Auto Manufacturer Line Model Model GPA for 0-to-4 Year Old Vehicles Model GPA for 2-to-6 Year Old Vehicles Model GPA for 4-to-8 Year Old Vehicles Model GPA for 6-to-10 Year Old Vehicles Overall Reliability GPA Grade Based on Overall GPA Minimum Reliability GPA Grade Based on Minimum GPA Number of Model Years of Data
74 BMW BMW 535i 0.00 0.00     0.00 F 0.00 F 4
250 General Motors Saturn Relay   0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 F 0.00 F 3
196 General Motors Chevrolet Blazer     0.00 0.00 0.00 F 0.00 F 3
249 General Motors Saturn Outlook, all-wheel drive 0.00 0.00 0.00   0.00 F 0.00 F 3
374 Volkswagen Volkswagen Routan 0.00 0.00     0.00 F 0.00 F 2
272 Jaguar - Tata Jaguar XF 0.00 0.00     0.00 F 0.00 F 2
70 BMW BMW 135i 0.00 0.00     0.00 F 0.00 F 1
127 Daimler Mercedes-Benz R-Class   0.00 0.00   0.00 F 0.00 F 1
201 General Motors Chevrolet Cruze 0.00       0.00 F 0.00 F 1
360 Volkswagen Audi A6, 3.0T 0.00       0.00 F 0.00 F 1
213 General Motors Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid 0.00 0.00     0.00 F 0.00 F 1
114 Chrysler Dodge Nitro   0.00 0.00   0.00 F 0.00 F 1
376 Volkswagen Volkswagen Touareg     0.00 0.00 0.00 F 0.00 F 1
191 General Motors Cadillac STS 0.00 0.25 0.33 0.00 0.15 F 0.00 F 5
111 Chrysler Dodge Journey 0.33 0.00     0.17 F 0.00 F 3
193 General Motors Chevrolet Astro     0.00 0.33 0.17 F 0.00 F 3
223 General Motors GMC Safari     0.00 0.33 0.17 F 0.00 F 3
361 Volkswagen Audi Q5, V6 0.33 0.00     0.17 F 0.00 F 3
102 Chrysler Chrysler Town & Country 0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50 0.25 F 0.00 F 10
280 Kia Kia Sedona 0.75 0.25 0.00 0.00 0.25 F 0.00 F 10
110 Chrysler Dodge Grand Caravan 0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50 0.25 F 0.00 F 10
124 Daimler Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 0.75 0.00 0.00   0.25 F 0.00 F 5
236 General Motors Pontiac Montana, Montana SV6   0.00 0.33 0.50 0.28 F 0.00 F 5
100 Chrysler Chrysler PT Cruiser, non-turbo 0.50 0.33 0.00 0.50 0.33 F 0.00 F 8
84 BMW Mini Cooper Hatchback S 1.00 0.00 0.00   0.33 F 0.00 F 6
219 General Motors GMC Acadia, all-wheel drive 1.00 0.00 0.00   0.33 F 0.00 F 5
94 Chrysler Jeep Wrangler, 4-door 1.00 0.00 0.00   0.33 F 0.00 F 5
178 General Motors Buick Enclave, all-wheel drive 0.75 0.00     0.38 F 0.00 F 4
195 General Motors Chevrolet Aveo 0.00 0.67 1.00 0.00 0.42 F 0.00 F 4
216 General Motors Chevrolet Venture     0.50 0.50 0.50 D 0.50 D 4
282 Kia Kia Sorento, V6 0.50 0.67 0.75 0.33 0.56 D 0.33 F 7
108 Chrysler Dodge Dakota, 4-wheel drive (4wd) 1.00 0.33 0.25 0.75 0.58 D 0.25 F 7
220 General Motors GMC Acadia, front-wheel drive 1.50 0.33 0.00   0.61 D 0.00 F 5
147 Ford Ford Flex 1.33 0.00     0.67 D 0.00 F 3
298 Mazda Mazda Tribute, 4 cylinder, awd 1.33 0.00     0.67 D 0.00 F 3
362 Volkswagen Audi Q7 0.00 1.00 1.00   0.67 D 0.00 F 2
144 Ford Ford F-250, turbodiesel 1.25 0.25 0.00 1.25 0.69 D 0.00 F 10
78 BMW BMW X5, 6-cylinder 0.33 0.50 1.00 1.00 0.71 D 0.33 F 9
190 General Motors Cadillac SRX, V6 1.33 0.67 0.50 0.50 0.75 D 0.50 D 7
222 General Motors GMC Envoy, V8 0.00 0.33 1.00 1.67 0.75 D 0.00 F 6
366 Volkswagen Volkswagen Eos 1.33 1.00 0.00   0.78 D 0.00 F 4
189 General Motors Cadillac Escalade 0.00 0.33 1.33 1.50 0.79 D 0.00 F 5
204 General Motors Chevrolet Impala 1.50 0.75 0.25 0.75 0.81 D 0.25 F 10
117 Chrysler Dodge Ram 2500, turbodiesel 0.00 0.25 1.25 2.00 0.88 D 0.00 F 9
158 Ford Ford Thunderbird     1.00 0.75 0.88 D 0.75 D 4
75 BMW BMW 7 Series 1.50 0.67 0.50   0.89 D 0.50 D 4
92 Chrysler Jeep Patriot 1.67 1.00 0.00   0.89 D 0.00 F 4
202 General Motors Chevrolet Equinox, V6 1.75 1.25 0.67 0.00 0.92 D 0.00 F 7
72 BMW BMW 330i,335i, rear-wheel drive 0.50 0.75 1.50   0.92 D 0.50 D 6
328 Nissan Nissan Quest 1.00 0.67 0.75 1.33 0.94 D 0.67 D 6
373 Volkswagen Volkswagen Passat, 4-cylinder 1.67 1.25 0.25 0.75 0.98 D 0.25 F 9
99 Chrysler Chrysler Pacifica 0.00 1.00 1.50 1.50 1.00 D 0.00 F 5
233 General Motors Pontiac Bonneville     1.00 1.00 1.00 D 1.00 D 4
87 Chrysler Jeep Commander 1.00 1.00 1.00   1.00 D 1.00 D 3
251 General Motors Saturn Sky 2.00 1.00 0.00   1.00 D 0.00 F 2
237 General Motors Pontiac Solstice 2.00 1.00 0.00   1.00 D 0.00 F 2
340 Porsche Porsche Cayman 2.00 1.00 0.00   1.00 D 0.00 F 2
145 Ford Ford Fiesta 1.00       1.00 D 1.00 D 1
162 Ford Lincoln MKT 1.00       1.00 D 1.00 D 1
289 Land Rover - Tata Land Rover LR3   1.00 1.00   1.00 D 1.00 D 1
104 Chrysler Dodge Avenger 1.00 1.00     1.00 D 1.00 D 1
88 Chrysler Jeep Compass   1.00 1.00   1.00 D 1.00 D 1
386 Volvo - Geely Volvo XC90, 6-cylinder 1.50 2.00 0.67 0.00 1.04 D 0.00 F 5
126 Daimler Mercedes-Benz M-Class, V6 1.75 1.00 0.50 1.00 1.06 D 0.50 D 7
231 General Motors GMC Yukon XL 1.25 0.75 1.00 1.50 1.13 D 0.75 D 10
211 General Motors Chevrolet Suburban 1.25 0.75 1.00 1.50 1.13 D 0.75 D 10
331 Nissan Nissan Titan 2.50 1.00 0.75 0.50 1.19 D 0.50 D 6
194 General Motors Chevrolet Avalanche 2.50 1.25 0.25 1.00 1.25 D 0.25 F 10
173 Ford Mercury Mountaineer, V8 1.50 1.00 1.25 1.25 1.25 D 1.00 D 8
214 General Motors Chevrolet Trailblazer, 6-cylinder 1.00 1.00 1.25 1.75 1.25 D 1.00 D 8
239 General Motors Pontiac Torrent 1.50 1.25 1.00   1.25 D 1.00 D 4
161 Ford Lincoln MKS, non-turbo 1.50 1.00     1.25 D 1.00 D 2
129 Daimler Mercedes-Benz SL     1.00 1.50 1.25 D 1.00 D 2
372 Volkswagen Volkswagen New Beetle Hatchback   1.00 1.50 1.33 1.28 D 1.00 D 4
203 General Motors Chevrolet HHR 1.67 1.25 1.00   1.31 D 1.00 D 5
301 Mazda Mazda Mazda5 2.50 1.00 0.50   1.33 D 0.50 D 6
356 Volkswagen Audi A3 2.00 1.00 1.00   1.33 D 1.00 D 4
363 Volkswagen Audi TT 1.00 1.00   2.00 1.33 D 1.00 D 2
339 Porsche Porsche Cayenne 0.00 2.00 2.00   1.33 D 0.00 F 2
273 Jaguar - Tata Jaguar XJ Series 0.00   2.00 2.00 1.33 D 0.00 F 2
321 Nissan Nissan Armada 2.00   1.00 1.00 1.33 D 1.00 D 2
215 General Motors Chevrolet Traverse, all-wheel drive 1.67 1.00     1.33 D 1.00 D 3
128 Daimler Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2.00 1.25 0.67 1.50 1.35 D 0.67 D 6
118 Chrysler Dodge Stratus Sedan   2.00 1.33 0.75 1.36 D 0.75 D 5
116 Chrysler Dodge Ram 1500, 4wd 1.25 1.50 1.50 1.25 1.38 D 1.25 D 10
187 General Motors Cadillac DeVille     1.50 1.25 1.38 D 1.25 D 4
165 Ford Lincoln Navigator 2.00 1.33 1.33 1.00 1.42 D 1.00 D 6
227 General Motors GMC Sierra 1500, V8, 4wd 1.50 1.50 1.25 1.50 1.44 D 1.25 D 10
209 General Motors Chevrolet Silverado 1500, V8, 4wd 1.50 1.50 1.25 1.50 1.44 D 1.25 D 10
140 Ford Ford Explorer, V6, 4-wheel drive 2.25 1.75 1.00 0.75 1.44 D 0.75 D 10
367 Volkswagen Volkswagen GTI, 4-cylinder 2.00 1.33 1.00   1.44 D 1.00 D 5
293 Mazda Mazda CX-7 2.67 1.67 0.00   1.44 D 0.00 F 4
105 Chrysler Dodge Caliber 2.67 1.67 0.00   1.44 D 0.00 F 4
198 General Motors Chevrolet Cobalt 1.33 1.25 1.33 2.00 1.48 D 1.25 D 6
91 Chrysler Jeep Liberty 1.67 1.25 1.25 1.75 1.48 D 1.25 D 9
327 Nissan Nissan Pathfinder 1.50 1.67 1.25 1.50 1.48 D 1.25 D 8
89 Chrysler Jeep Grand Cherokee, 6-cylinder, V6 2.25 2.00 1.25 0.50 1.50 C 0.50 D 10
73 BMW BMW 525i,528i,530i 1.25 1.25 1.75 1.75 1.50 C 1.25 D 10
357 Volkswagen Audi A4, 4-cylinder 2.25 2.00 1.25 0.50 1.50 C 0.50 D 10
184 General Motors Buick Rendezvous   1.50 1.75 1.25 1.50 C 1.25 D 6
206 General Motors Chevrolet Malibu Sedan, V6 1.50 1.50 1.50   1.50 C 1.50 C 6
160 Ford Lincoln LS     1.50 1.50 1.50 C 1.50 C 4
172 Ford Mercury Monterey   2.00 1.50 1.00 1.50 C 1.00 D 4
149 Ford Ford Freestar   2.00 1.50 1.00 1.50 C 1.00 D 4
77 BMW BMW X5, 35d 1.50       1.50 C 1.50 C 2
277 Kia Kia Forte 1.50       1.50 C 1.50 C 2
112 Chrysler Dodge Magnum   1.00 1.50 2.00 1.50 C 1.00 D 2
132 Daimler Smart ForTwo Smart ForTwo 1.50 1.50     1.50 C 1.50 C 2
246 General Motors Saturn Aura 2.00 1.67 1.00   1.56 C 1.00 D 3
323 Nissan Nissan Frontier, 4wd 1.75 2.25 1.33 1.00 1.58 C 1.00 D 8
224 General Motors GMC Sierra 1500, V6, 2wd 2.33 1.50 1.00   1.61 C 1.00 D 5
221 General Motors GMC Canyon 1.75 1.75 1.50 1.50 1.63 C 1.50 C 8
199 General Motors Chevrolet Colorado 1.75 1.75 1.50 1.50 1.63 C 1.50 C 8
238 General Motors Pontiac Sunfire     1.50 1.75 1.63 C 1.50 C 4
365 Volkswagen Volkswagen CC 1.33 2.00     1.67 C 1.33 D 3
358 Volkswagen Audi A5/S5 1.33 2.00     1.67 C 1.33 D 3
90 Chrysler Jeep Grand Cherokee, V8 1.25 1.75 2.00   1.67 C 1.25 D 6
244 General Motors Saab 9-5   2.00 1.75 1.25 1.67 C 1.25 D 6
183 General Motors Buick Regal 1.00   2.00 2.00 1.67 C 1.00 D 4
101 Chrysler Chrysler Sebring/200 Sedan 4.00 1.00 1.00 0.75 1.69 C 0.75 D 7
83 BMW Mini Cooper Hatchback 2.75 1.75 1.00 1.33 1.71 C 1.00 D 9
93 Chrysler Jeep Wrangler, 2-door 1.75 1.50 1.75 2.00 1.75 C 1.50 C 10
107 Chrysler Dodge Charger 2.50 1.75 1.00   1.75 C 1.00 D 4
197 General Motors Chevrolet Camaro 1.50     2.00 1.75 C 1.50 C 3
270 Jaguar - Tata Jaguar S-Type     2.00 1.50 1.75 C 1.50 C 2
334 Nissan Nissan 350Z, 370Z 0.67 1.50 2.25 2.67 1.77 C 0.67 D 8
210 General Motors Chevrolet Silverado 2500, turbodiesel 1.33 1.75 1.75 2.25 1.77 C 1.33 D 9
228 General Motors GMC Sierra 2500, turbodiesel 1.33 1.75 1.75 2.25 1.77 C 1.33 D 9
205 General Motors Chevrolet Malibu Sedan, 4-cylinder 2.25 2.25 1.67 1.00 1.79 C 1.00 D 7
230 General Motors GMC Yukon 1.75 1.50 1.75 2.25 1.81 C 1.50 C 10
212 General Motors Chevrolet Tahoe 1.75 1.50 1.75 2.25 1.81 C 1.50 C 10
252 General Motors Saturn Vue, V6 2.00 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.81 C 1.75 C 8
179 General Motors Buick LaCrosse, fwd 1.50 1.75 2.00 2.00 1.81 C 1.50 C 7
208 General Motors Chevrolet Silverado 1500, V8, 2wd 2.00 1.50 2.00   1.83 C 1.50 C 6
136 Ford Ford Edge, all-wheel drive 1.50 2.00 2.00   1.83 C 1.50 C 5
262 Hyundai Hyundai Santa Fe, 4 cylinder 1.50   2.00 2.00 1.83 C 1.50 C 4
207 General Motors Chevrolet Monte Carlo     2.00 1.67 1.83 C 1.67 C 3

Note that among the worst vehicles in 2012, there is not one by Toyota Motor Corporation, Honda Motor Company, Suzuki Motor Corporation, or the Subaru Division of Fuji Heavy Industries. Also, there is not one from the Infiniti line of Nissan Motor Company.

The manufacturers which have offered one or more of the most trouble prone vehicles in 2012, as reported by Consumer Reports subscribers and measured by the Overall Reliability GPA, are General Motors Corporation (with 5 of the 13 worst, 8 of the 22 worst, 13 of the 30 worst, 16 of the 40 worst, 19 of the 50 worst, 22 of 62 worst, 27 of the 73 worst, 29 of the 82 worst, 32 of the 93 worst), the Chrysler Group (with 1 of the 13 worst, 4 of the 22 worst, 6 of the 30 worst, 7 of the 40 worst, 9 of the 50 worst, 13 of the 82 worst, and 16 of the 93 worst), Volkswagen AG (with 11 of the 93 worst), Ford Motor Company (with 9 of the 93 worst), BMW AG (with 6 of the 93 worst), Daimler AG (with 5 of the 93 worst), and various other manufacturers.

In summary, the worst automobiles are somewhat concentrated in two automobile manufacturers - General Motors Corporation and the Chrysler Group. However, the worst in 2012 are much more broadly distributed among manufacturers than are the best in 2012.

Charts of Manufacturer Shares of the Worst in 2012

First is a bar graph of the auto manufacturer shares of the 30 worst cars and trucks in 2012.

Automobile Manufacturer shares of the 30 worst cars and trucks in 2012.

All but one of the 30 worst have a letter grade of F.

Next is a bar graph of the auto manufacturer shares of the 50 worst cars and trucks in 2012.

Automobile Manufacturer shares of the 50 worst cars and trucks in 2012.

All of the 50 worst have an Overall GPA of less than 1.00.

Chart of the Reliability GPAs of the Top 21 and Bottom 22 Cars and Trucks

The following bar graph provides Overall Reliability GPAs of the 20 best cars and trucks (21 by tie) and 20 worst cars and trucks (22 by tie).

Bar graph depicting the overall Reliability GPAs of the 20 best cars and trucks (21 by tie) and 20 worst cars and trucks (22 by tie) in 2012.

 

Caution      When the number of model years of data (appearing in the far right column) for a vehicle is limited to more recent years, the reliability GPAs, Average GPA, and Minimum GPA of that vehicle may be less reflective of the vehicle's reliability over a longer period of time.

The Auto Reliability GPAs are automobile reliability statistics that are obtained from Consumer Reports' auto reliability survey data summarized in the reliability tables of (1) Consumer Reports: New Car Buying Guide: 2012, (2) Consumer Reports: Used Car Buying Guide: 2012, and (3) the April 2012 issue of the Consumer Reports magazine.

The method of computation of the GPAs is probably familiar to nearly every college, technical school, and high school student. A Grade Point of 4.00 (that is, an A) is given to a Consumer Reports Used Car Verdict of "Much Better Than Average," a GP of 3.00 (that is, a B) is given to a CR "Better Than Average" rating, a GP of 2.00 (that is, a C) to an "Average" rating, a GP of 1.00 (that is, a D) to a "Worse Than Average" rating, and a GP of 0.00 (that is, an F) to a "Much Worse Than Average" rating. A 4-year Grade Point Average (GPA) is an average of the Grade Points and is computed using Microsoft's Average(a:b,[c:d],...) function. The Overall GPA given in the table and chart above is the average of the four 4-year GPAs.

AutoOnInfo.net: Helping to inform consumers which autos, brands, and manufacturers are better than good and worse than bad since 2001.

Additional Resources

More detail on brand Quality Grades is given in the Kindle ebook entitled AutoOnInfo.net's Car Quality Series, Volume 2: Brand Quality for Model Years 1985 to 2006 and Brand Market Shares from 1985 to 2009. Links to the Amazon page offering the book are given below.

Icon for AutoOnInfo.net’s Car Quality Series Volume 2: Brand Quality for Model Years 1985 to 2006 and Effect on Brand Market Shares from 1985 to 2009

AutoOnInfo.net's Car Quality Series, Volume 2: Brand Quality for Model Years 1985 to 2006 and Effect on Brand Market Shares from 1985 to 2009

This volume of AutoOnInfo.net’s car guide series offers consumers and researchers an historical summary of the reliability and durability of car and truck brands and examines how these brands have fared in their U.S. market shares. It uses 6-year-old model entries in Consumer Reports’ Used Car to Avoid – also termed Vehicles to Avoid and Worst Cars, Year by Year – and CR’s reliability charts to ascribe quality grades to automobile brands for model-year groups 1985 to 1989, 1990 to 1994, 1995 to 1999, 2000 to 2004, 2005 to 2006, and 1985 to 2006. In addition to ascribing quality grades to each brand, it provides a chart that plots the number of the brand’s 6-year-old model entries in CR’s vehicles to avoid. To examine the effect that a brand’s reliability and durability has had on sales, two or more charts depicting the brand’s U.S. market shares for calendar years 1985 to 2009 are given. These grades and charts and the author’s comments impart an historical perspective that sheds light on the present condition of surviving vehicle lines and their future prospects, individual and institutional shortcomings, and what effect these may have on the U.S.

Also visit www.CarsOnInfo.net and www.CarQualityInfo.net for more car and truck quality tables, charts, graphs, and information.