Tesla at the Bottom of Consumer Reports' List

A few short months ago, Consumer Reports simply loved the Tesla Model S. Today, however, after conducting a survey targeting the electric sedan’s owners, they realized that the car wasn’t as reliable as they thought. The car previously managed to break Consumer Reports' scoring system (scoring 103 out of 100), but reliability problems with the touchscreen, door handles as well as fit and finish forced the publication to put the car in the "Not Recommended" class.

Now, Consumer Reports just announced their list of most reliable brands in North America. Lexus, Toyota, Buick and Audi are leading the pack. Honda is in tenth place, right behind BMW. Chevrolet, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz are filling the 15th, 16th and 17th spots. Under the industry’s average, we find Volvo, VW, Jeep, GMC… and finally, in 25th position, we now find Tesla. There are only four brands that are less reliable than the Californian startup: Dodge, Chrysler, Fiat and Ram.

• Also: Exclusive: Tesla Model S P90D: A High-Speed 5- or 7-Seat Electric Rocket Ship
• Also: Tesla: The Early Years to Today—and Tomorrow

This fall from grace by Tesla can be explained by the fact that its most recent vehicle, the Model X, has received poor notes for its assembly quality. Also, problems to its doors, seats and windows cropped up.

Consumer Reports rates the Model X as the sixth least reliable vehicle on the market today, behind the Chrysler 200, the Chevrolet Suburban and the Jeep Renegade, among others.