10 of the worst electric cars on the market

Spend enough time in manufacturing and you’re sure to make a few mistakes. The automotive industry is in a bit of a paradigm shift currently, which adheres quite ably to the proposition of value and continuous improvement seen in methodologies like Six Sigma and Lean, with customers wanting more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly cars.

The need to innovate and deliver on these demands is a driving force in manufacturing and requires significant retooling and changes in thinking to deliver an effective electric vehicle. The electric vehicle has made great strides in the last decade or so, but for the cars on today’s list, you’ll likely want to look elsewhere for your next EV.

Chevrolet Blazer EV

The Chevy Blazer EV is a relatively recent addition to the Chevrolet product stable and shows promise. However, the EV has had a relatively tough time with early teething issues. Users have noted substantial issues with the software, not to mention a few recalls have tarnished the vehicle’s reputation. Chevrolet seems committed to ironing out the problems and has a solid track record with certain models. Time will tell if the Blazer EV joins the likes of the Bolt as a quick recommendation for a potential first EV.

Toyota bZ4X

This joint venture from Toyota and Subaru has been plagued with reliability problems since its initial launch. Charging issues and a recall for wheels that potentially detach have been just some of the issues plaguing the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra. Both companies have been hard at work to address these issues, but the early reputation these vehicles have is going to be difficult to shake over the coming years.

Ford Mustang Mach-E

The Mustang Mach-E has had some issues over the years, with recalls and owner complaints over battery and charging issues. A slew of recalls and reliability notices from publications like Consumer Reports are holding back the Mach-E from knockout performance. Ford has been hard at work to rectify these issues, but they still surround earlier models, and the reputation surrounding the vehicle makes a new purchase dicey.

Nissan Ariya

Nissan was quick to market with the Leaf, which had plenty of teething issues relating to the battery. While many of these hiccups were quickly adjusted, the launch of the new Ariya saw some new issues crop up in short order. Some drivers noted problems with the software system and other vital electronics, which was later supported by a recall covering nearly 10,000 Ariyas. While this can be chalked up to early hiccups in a newly designed car, you’ll want to wait a few years before buying your own.

Mercedes-Benz EQ

Certain models of the EQ line from Mercedes-Benz are a must-avoid, if we’re being honest. Early production runs saw numerous issues thanks to the complex electronics and software. While these have largely been ironed out, last year saw two South Korean EQ EVs explode, with no conclusive evidence as to the cause. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather avoid the risk of an explosion in any luxury vehicle.

Volkswagen ID.4

VW’s issues carry right over to their line of EVs. The ID.4 has seen widespread acceptance from EV drivers thanks to its no-nonsense handling and ease of use. Early model runs were plagued with software issues, which ultimately affected the functionality and use of the vehicle. VW has been quick to issue software updates, but the ID.4 has shaken the confidence of some drivers, with newer vehicles potentially having the same historical issues seen in previous production runs.

Polestar 2

You’ll see a running trend with most of these EVs, and that comes down to the electrical systems. Polestar had a sterling reputation early on, taking advantage of decades of excellence from its parent company, Volvo. The Polestar 2 has the makings of a great EV, but is hindered by software issues. While this might be isolated to early runs of the vehicle, the shadow these reliability concerns cast isn’t easily discarded for some drivers.

Tesla Model X

When looking at more severe issues, the Tesla Model X has quite a few problems surrounding it. Hardware issues like body panels falling off have been reported. It also has a running problem with buggy software updates, which might introduce more problems than they resolve. Given the slow turnaround time for Tesla’s service department, it might be worth just looking for alternatives to the EV giant at this point.

Rivian R1S

Our final entry, the R1S, is a relative newcomer to the EV market. Despite their luxury pricing, you’ll find quite a few issues across the entire production line of the present run. Common complaints are build quality, battery issues, and the ever-present software issues. Consumer Reports has ranked the Rivian line near the bottom for general reliability, making these outdoor vehicles a miss for the moment.

Data and Sources

EVs are still a relatively new technology, only going back about a decade or so at this point. That said, you can find all sorts of resources online for getting a better understanding of how the market looks. Consumer Reports is a key resource for predicted reliability ratings. Resources like Kelley Blue Book are fantastic for seeing professional and user consensus. Finally, we made use of news resources like Auto News to get to grips with some of the more concerning issues surrounding some of these EVs.

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