Wirtz Law Blog

Electric vehicles may offer promises of savings at the pump and environmental friendliness, but their reliability isn’t up to scratch. According to recent research by Consumer Reports, EVs made in model years 2021 through 2023 encountered approximately 80 percent more problems than comparable gas-powered vehicles. 

Issues With Electric Vehicles

In the Consumer Reports study, EVs made in 2021 and 2022 had a problem rate over twice as high as comparable internal combustion vehicles. However, in the 2023 model year, EV problem rates were only 21 percent higher than gas-powered vehicles.

This drop in problem rates indicates that electric vehicles are experiencing “growing pains” as manufacturers work out exactly how to produce consistent quality in these new technologies, says Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing at Consumer Reports. However, Fisher notes that vehicles can have more issues as they age, and it’s too early to know if this will be the case with the 2023 model-year EVs. 

Major issues with electric vehicles in recent years have included the following:

• Battery-related recalls. General Motors, Ford, Hyundai, and other EV manufacturers have all issued recalls related to battery fires in recent years. 
• Computer control issues. Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV owners have reported charging issues related to the control computer, which could cause the vehicle to stall. At least one Chevrolet Bolt owner noted that the vehicle won’t shift into drive until the computer is fully booted.
• Body panel, finish, and parts issues. Rivian owners have reported issues with misaligned body panels and broken interior parts. Owners of early Tesla vehicles also reported issues with doors not aligning properly.

Consumer Reports surveyed subscribers who own EVs made in model years 2021 through 2023 and then compared the responses with information from other vehicle types. Consumer Reports weighed serious issues like battery or engine failures more heavily than minor issues like loose trim. The completed survey covered 330,000 vehicles. 

Some EVs Made More Reliability Gains Than Others

Despite the overall low-reliability rates of recent EVs versus gas-powered vehicles, some EV manufacturers are improving their reliability faster than others. 

Tesla, for example, increased its standings in the 2023 Consumer Reports survey, ranking 14th of 30 EV brands. In 2022, the automaker ranked 19th of 30. 

Lexus EVs ranked highest in reliability in the latest Consumer Reports survey. The vehicles are manufactured by Toyota, which ranked second, followed by Mini, Acura, and Honda. Compact cars tended to be the most reliable, followed by sportscars and small pickups.

Brands still struggling to meet their competitors’ reliability rates included Jeep, Volkswagen, Rivian, Mercedes-Benz, and Chrysler, which ranked last on the 2023 Consumer Reports list. Across all vehicle brands, full-size and midsize pickup trucks had the worst reliability overall, particularly if they were electric vehicles. Electric SUVs also fared poorly. 

Overall, EVs are still more reliable than plug-in hybrid vehicles. The Consumer Reports study found the largest number of reported issues came from vehicles that used both batteries and gas and could be plugged in to recharge the battery. 

More reliable than both EVs and gas vehicles were gas-electric hybrids that don’t require plugging in, like those used in the Toyota Prius. These systems, available for nearly 25 years, have proven themselves on the roads and been fine-tuned by their manufacturers. 

Interest in Electric Vehicles Persists Despite Issues

Despite these reliability challenges, vehicle buyers continue to show interest in electric vehicles. About 40 percent of US adults say their next vehicle might be electric, according to a poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago. Younger drivers were more interested: About 55 percent of respondents under age 30 said their next vehicle would be electric. 

If these households switch to electric, the change will spark a significant increase in electric vehicle ownership. Currently, only 8 percent of US households own an EV, and another 8 percent have a plug-in hybrid vehicle. 

In the AP-NORC poll, respondents who said they wouldn’t buy an electric vehicle had varying reasons for their choice. About half said there were too few charging stations to make an EV a realistic option for them. Forty-one percent feared the battery technology wasn’t sufficiently reliable yet – a number that may be related to recent recalls of various EV brands for issues with battery fires or battery charging. 

What to Do If You Suspect You Bought a Lemon

California lemon laws protect vehicle owners who buy or lease a defective vehicle at retail. If you suspect your EV is a lemon, talk to an experienced lemon law attorney today. These laws ensure that you are not left stranded with a vehicle that fails to meet basic standards of performance and safety. If you suspect your electric vehicle (EV) is a lemon, it’s essential to act quickly and take the right steps to protect your rights and interests.

At Wirtz Law APC, our premier lemon law attorneys are dedicated to assisting consumers who have purchased or leased defective vehicles. With a team of experienced attorneys, we can help navigate you through the complexities of lemon law cases, ensuring that you receive the compensation and justice you deserve.

Contact Wirtz Law APC today to learn more. We are located in the center of San Diego near La Jolla, CA, and serve surrounding areas such as Mira Mesa, Northpark, National City, Imperial Beach, and Chula Vista. We also have experience handling lemon law cases across the state, from Central California to Northern California.