Repair bills rarely show up on the window sticker. They arrive years later, often at the worst moment. Consumer Reports surveys its members every year. Owners report what they paid out of pocket for maintenance and repairs. CR then adds those figures into five-year and ten-year totals per brand.
CR’s data analytics lead, Steven Elek, says the gap between some brands can reach thousands of dollars over ten years. That gap is the reason this ranking exists.
This list covers ten mainstream brands, ordered from cheapest to costliest. Luxury names are left out on purpose. They distort the picture for normal buyers.
A few cautions apply. The survey counts routine upkeep and repairs, not collisions. It also depends on what owners remember and report. Free maintenance periods muddy the early years for some makers.
Figures also shift between CR survey editions. I used the most recent numbers I could verify. Treat each brand’s total as a guide, not a quote. Mainstream brands span a wide range.
The cheapest here costs roughly $5,260 over a decade. The costliest tops $7,900. That difference buys a lot of tires, brakes, and oil changes. Read on to see where your brand lands.
1. Buick
Buick tops this mainstream list. It is also among the cheapest brands in the whole CR study. Owners reported about $1,160 for years one to five and $4,100 for years six to ten, totaling $5,260.
That beats most Japanese rivals. It surprises many shoppers. Why is Buick so cheap? Domestic makers often use less expensive parts. Elek notes that domestic automakers often have less expensive parts, which often means lower repair costs.
Buick also shares parts with the wider GM family. Shared parts mean wider supply and lower prices. Independent shops can source them easily. Buick’s lineup is simple. Today’s range leans on small crossovers like the Encore GX and Envista. Those use proven small engines and conventional transmissions.
There is less exotic hardware to fail. Fewer complex systems mean fewer expensive surprises. The brand also skews toward older, calmer owners. They tend to drive gently and follow service schedules. That habit reduces repair frequency.
Still, the survey reflects past models. It does not guarantee future results. The catch is reliability. Low cost does not always mean low frequency of visits. Some Buick models score only average in CR reliability.
You may visit the shop slightly more often. Each visit just costs less. Buick is the best-value pick for repair cost. If you want comfort without a big upkeep bill, it deserves a look. Check the specific model’s reliability score first. That step costs nothing and can save thousands.
2. Ford
Ford lands second among mainstream brands. Its numbers sit near the Buick range. An earlier CR edition put Ford at about $5,400 over ten years, with $1,100 in the first five.
That is a strong showing for a brand with a mixed reliability record. Cheap parts explain much of it. Ford sells an enormous number of vehicles. That volume feeds a deep supply of new and aftermarket parts. Competition among suppliers keeps prices low.
Independent shops know Ford well. Labor rates at independents are usually below dealer rates. Trucks drive a lot of this result. The F-150 is the best-selling truck in America. Owners can find parts almost anywhere.
Simple body-on-frame designs are also easy to work on. Mechanics can fix them quickly. There is a trade-off. Ford’s newer models carry more tech and more complex transmissions. Some dual-clutch and turbocharged setups have drawn complaints.
Those repairs can be costly when they happen. Warranty coverage matters more here. Years six to ten are where Ford’s costs climb. The same edition showed roughly $4,300 across years six to ten. That is still moderate.
Owners who keep trucks past 150,000 miles should budget for suspension and cooling work. Ford rewards careful shopping. Pick a proven powertrain and skip first-year redesigns. A well-chosen Ford can match the best of the field. A poor choice can cost much more than the average suggests. The brand’s average hides a wide spread between models.
3. Chevrolet
Chevrolet follows Ford closely. CR owner data from an earlier edition showed about $5,550 over ten years, with $1,200 in the first five. Like Buick, it benefits from GM’s parts network. Chevy parts are cheap and everywhere.
Chevrolet has the widest range in this group. It sells small cars, big trucks and electric models. Costs vary widely by type. Compact crossovers like the Trax and Equinox hold bills down. Full-size trucks and SUVs cost more to keep running.
Domestic parts pricing is the main advantage. Chevy’s decades-old small-block V8 is a good example. Millions exist, and rebuild parts are plentiful.
A mechanic can fix one almost anywhere in America. That keeps labor competitive. Chevy’s electric lineup adds a new variable. EVs skip oil changes and many engine repairs. That can lower early-year costs.
Battery or software problems, though, can be expensive. Data on long-term EV costs is still thin. CR’s results show Chevrolet staying inexpensive through years six to ten. That later stretch ran about $4,350 in the same edition. The brand ages gracefully on the wallet.
Watch for models with weaker reliability marks. Some past Chevy transmissions and small engines have had problems. Check owner reports before buying. Chevrolet offers low costs with a bigger range of outcomes. Choose the model carefully and the savings are real.
4. Nissan
Nissan sits in the middle of the pack. Earlier CR data showed about $5,700 over ten years, with $1,300 in the first five. That is respectable for a brand with a rough recent history.
Nissan’s low prices help here. Cheaper cars tend to have cheaper parts. Simple models like the Versa and Sentra are inexpensive to fix. The brand also sells a lot of high-mileage workhorses. Rogue and Altima parts are common. Used and aftermarket supply is deep.
Nissan’s weak spot is the continuously variable transmission. Older CVTs have a reputation for early failure. A replacement can cost thousands. Nissan extended warranties on some of them. Owners should check whether their car qualifies.
That risk may be tucked inside the average. Owners who avoided the CVT issue pay little. Those who hit it pay a lot. Nissan also offers the Leaf, an EV with low maintenance. CarEdge data lists the Leaf among the cheapest cars to maintain over five years.
Electric models pull the brand average down. Gas-powered owners may see higher numbers than the brand figure suggests. Free maintenance periods affect early numbers too. CR notes that some makers, including Nissan, offer complimentary maintenance on new cars. That lowers early-year costs.
Costs rise once those periods end. Plan for it. Nissan works for buyers who want a low entry price and low parts costs. Research the transmission history of any model first. That single check is the key to a good outcome.
5. Mazda
Mazda comes in around the middle. Earlier CR figures showed about $5,800 over ten years, with $1,400 in the first five. That is slightly higher than the domestic brands.
Mazda earns high marks for reliability. Its engines avoid many modern complications. The brand kept naturally aspirated engines longer than most.
Fewer turbos mean fewer expensive parts to fail. That simplicity shows up in the data. Mazda also uses conventional six-speed automatics in many models. Those are sturdier than CVTs. They cost less to maintain over time.
Mazda’s choice here sets it apart from several rivals. It trades a little fuel economy for durability. So why is the cost not lower? Mazda’s parts prices run a bit higher than Toyota’s or Ford’s. Its dealer network is smaller too. Fewer shops can mean higher labor in some areas.
Mazda also leans upscale on interiors and finish. Nicer materials can cost more to replace. Trim pieces and sensors add up. Newer Mazdas have more driver-assist tech. Cameras and sensors are costly after a minor bump. Windshield replacement can be pricey on those.
Mazda’s CR reliability scores are usually near the top. That means fewer visits, even if each visit costs a bit more. Mazda suits drivers who want a fun car with modest bills. It is a quiet bargain. It just does not undercut the domestic brands.
6. Honda
Honda ranks sixth, which may surprise fans. One CR-based list put Honda at about $5,835 over ten years, with $1,435 in years one to five. That is the highest early-year cost among the cheaper brands.
Honda’s reputation is for reliability, not rock-bottom upkeep. Those are different things. A car can rarely break and still cost a fair amount when it does.
Parts prices explain part of it. Honda uses quality components that are not the cheapest. Genuine parts often cost more than GM or Ford equivalents.
Honda also pushes owners toward regular maintenance. Its Maintenance Minder system schedules service by actual use. Owners who follow it spend more early on.
That spending prevents bigger problems later. It shows up in the first five years. Honda’s later years stay fairly flat. Years six to ten ran about $4,400 in the earlier edition. That is in line with most rivals.
Honda engines and transmissions have a strong track record. Many owners reach 200,000 miles without major work. Some newer models use small turbocharged engines. Early versions had oil dilution complaints. Honda has since improved them.
Hybrid models like the CR-V Hybrid add complexity but also cut brake wear. Regenerative braking helps pads last longer. Honda fits buyers who value dependability and resale value. The repair bill is not the lowest. The ownership picture is among the best.
7. Toyota
Toyota is the reliability icon, yet it ranks seventh on pure repair cost. CR data shows about $1,250 in years one to five and $4,700 in years six to ten, totaling $5,950. That is still low in absolute terms.
The ranking says something useful. Reliability and low cost are not identical. Toyota proves that point. Toyota builds cars that rarely break. When they do, parts prices are fair but not cheap. Hybrid components and genuine parts add some expense.
Toyota’s dealer labor rates can also run high. Strong demand lets dealers charge more. Complimentary maintenance matters here. CR notes Toyota offers free service on new cars. That lowers early costs.
Owners then face the full bill once it ends. That helps explain the jump in years six to ten. Toyota’s hybrids are a bright spot. The Prius is famous for lasting 250,000 miles. Brake wear stays low thanks to regenerative braking.
Hybrid batteries rarely fail early. When they do, replacement is costly but uncommon. Insurers and mechanics both like Toyota. Parts are easy to find, and technicians know the cars well. Repairs tend to be straightforward and fast.
Resale value is another hidden benefit. A lower repair frequency keeps used prices high. Toyota is not the cheapest to fix. It is arguably the safest bet for avoiding repairs altogether. For many buyers, that is worth more than a small saving.
8. Hyundai
Hyundai ranks eighth, a big improvement from its past. CR data shows about $1,210 in years one to five and $4,900 in years six to ten, totaling $6,110. That is only slightly above Toyota.
Hyundai’s long warranty is its main selling point. The 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain coverage protects early owners. Big engine and transmission repairs are covered.
That coverage helps first-owner costs more than the data may show. Later owners may not get the full warranty. The cost jump in years six to ten is clear. Warranty coverage fades, and wear items arrive. Hyundai’s later years run higher than the domestic brands.
Parts prices are moderate. Hyundai’s growing dealer network helps keep labor competitive. Independent shops now work on them often. Hyundai had engine troubles in some older Theta II models. The company recalled many and extended warranties.
Those issues may still affect used-car buyers. Newer Hyundais score much better in reliability. The brand has changed a lot in a decade. Hyundai’s EVs add another layer. The Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 have low maintenance costs in CarEdge data.
Their charging system has had a few early problems. Buying new with the warranty is the smartest way to own a Hyundai. Buying used requires more care. Check service records and recall history. A well-kept Hyundai is a very good value.
9. Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi lands ninth and shows how odd averages can be. CR data shows about $2,220 in years one to five and $4,200 in years six to ten, totaling $6,420. The first five years look unusually costly for a budget brand.
Mitsubishi sells small cars with simple mechanics. Parts should be cheap. The data suggests otherwise. Several factors may explain this. The brand has a small U.S. dealer network. Fewer shops can mean longer waits and higher labor charges.
Its sales volume is also low. Lower volume means a thinner supply of aftermarket parts. Prices rise when parts are scarce. Mitsubishi has also gone through business turmoil. The brand cut back U.S. operations in past years. Owners of older models may struggle to find service.
The warranty is a strong point. Mitsubishi offers a long powertrain warranty, similar to Hyundai’s. That protects owners from the worst repairs.
Small sample sizes could distort the survey. Fewer Mitsubishi owners respond, so one costly repair moves the average.
Models like the Mirage are very simple. They avoid turbos and complex electronics. Many owners keep them for years without trouble.
The Outlander is more complex, especially with plug-in hybrid versions. Those carry higher potential costs.
Mitsubishi can still work for budget buyers. Just confirm that a trusted shop is nearby. Parts availability matters more than the brand’s reputation.
10. Subaru
Subaru ranks last among these ten, and by a wide margin. CR-based data puts Subaru at about $7,920 over ten years. That is more than $2,600 above Buick.
This surprises many people. Subaru has a loyal following and strong safety marks. Yet its repair costs stand out. Subaru’s design is the main reason. Every model comes with standard all-wheel drive. That adds drivetrain parts that two-wheel-drive cars lack.
Extra differentials, driveshafts and couplings all wear out. They also require careful fluid maintenance. Mechanics may charge more for the added labor.
The horizontally opposed engine is another factor. The boxer layout is wide and flat. It makes access harder for some jobs. Spark plugs and certain gaskets can take much longer to reach. Labor hours add to the bill.
Head gasket problems affected older Subaru engines. Newer models are far better, but the reputation stuck. Some owners still face leaks as the cars age.
Subaru’s CVT is also a concern. It is generally sturdier than Nissan’s, but replacements are still costly. Subaru owners also keep cars a long time. Many drive past 150,000 miles. Older cars cost more to repair, which lifts the brand average.
The brand’s strengths are real. Resale values are high, and safety scores are excellent. Many owners say the costs are worth it. Budget buyers should plan ahead. Set aside money for years six to ten. A good independent Subaru specialist can cut the bill meaningfully.
