Plug-in hybrid vehicles are often marketed as a best-of-both-worlds solution, promising lower fuel costs and reduced emissions without forcing buyers to fully commit to an all-electric lifestyle.
However, new findings from Consumer Reports (CR) suggest that this added complexity comes at a significant cost.
Plug-in hybrids experience about 80 percent more problems than vehicles powered solely by internal combustion engines, raising serious concerns about their long-term dependability.
The conclusion comes from Consumer Reports’ most recent annual reliability survey, which analyzed feedback from owners of roughly 380,000 vehicles spanning the 2000 through 2025 model years, along with a small number of early 2026 models.
The survey highlights specific PHEV models across several segments that contribute heavily to the reliability gap, giving potential buyers a clearer picture of which vehicles have proven most troublesome in real-world ownership.
Among compact SUVs, the Ford Escape PHEV stands out as the least reliable, competing in a segment that also includes models like the Toyota RAV4 Prime and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
Survey respondents pointed to a wide range of issues tied directly to the Escape’s electrified components, including EV battery replacement, battery cooling failures, charging problems, and malfunctions with electric accessories.
Beyond its hybrid system, owners also reported concerns with steering and suspension components as well as the climate control system, suggesting problems that extend beyond electrification alone.
Stellantis appears repeatedly in the report, particularly with its Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee models equipped with the 4xe plug-in hybrid system.
According to Consumer Reports, the problems cited by owners were overwhelmingly linked to the 4xe technology itself. These included hybrid system failures, EV battery stalling, and electric motor issues.
One owner claimed their vehicle was “bricked for nearly six months,” while another said they had to make eight separate dealer visits to resolve ongoing hybrid-related faults.
Regulatory agencies have also been paying close attention. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been involved in several actions concerning Jeep’s 4xe models, including a recall earlier this year related to loss of drive power.
Separately, Consumer Reports also flagged the non-4xe version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee in its latest list of the most unreliable SUVs, further compounding concerns around the model line.
At the larger end of the market, the Mazda CX-90 PHEV reportedly ranks as the least reliable full-size SUV. This result aligns with Consumer Reports’ 2026 Reliability Brand Rankings, which saw Mazda fall from a top-10 position to 14th overall.
The CX-90 PHEV was associated with an extensive list of owner-reported problems, ranging from EV battery and electric motor failures to engine electrical system issues.
Additional complaints covered both major and minor transmission problems, drivetrain and fuel system faults, climate control failures, steering and suspension concerns, brake issues, electric accessories, body hardware defects, in-car electronics glitches, noises and leaks, and shortcomings in paint and trim quality.
One owner summarized their experience bluntly, stating that their CX-90 PHEV suffered a “hybrid malfunction that causes the car to seize. It will not start, go into gear, or charge.”
In the luxury category, the Volvo XC60 PHEV also received poor marks for reliability. Consumer Reports cited issues involving electrical accessories, the climate system, the drivetrain, the electric motor, and the EV battery.
One owner reported that just a month into ownership, their XC60 PHEV “would not go over 26 mph and went into snail mode,” a common term for limp mode, where the vehicle severely limits power to prevent further damage.
Another Stellantis entry on the list is the Chrysler Pacifica PHEV. While it remains the only plug-in hybrid minivan currently sold in the U.S., owners still reported a range of problems.
For comparison, the Toyota Sienna and Kia Carnival are available only as conventional hybrids, while the Honda Odyssey continues to rely solely on internal combustion in the U.S., despite its Japan-market counterpart using a dual-motor hybrid system similar to the Civic and Accord.
According to Consumer Reports, Pacifica PHEV owners cited issues involving the transmission, engine, in-car electronics, electric accessories, EV charging, and EV battery cooling.
As several automakers, including Volvo, begin walking back earlier commitments to all-electric lineups, the findings suggest that plug-in hybrids still face significant reliability challenges.
The report underscores that while multi-powertrain strategies may offer flexibility, there is considerable progress still needed before PHEVs can consistently deliver the durability and peace of mind consumers expect.
