3 Italian Car Brands Named the Least Reliable of 2025
Written by
Jamie Stone
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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Italian automotive manufacturers have long been celebrated for their stunning design, racing heritage and passionate engineering. However, when it comes to long-term reliability and dependability, several Italian car brands continue to struggle in 2025, according to multiple automotive reliability studies and industry experts.
Based on data from Consumer Reports, J.D. Power, WhatCar and other automotive research organizations, three Italian car brands have been flagged as among the least reliable vehicles you can buy in 2025.
Here’s what potential buyers need to know about these brands before making a purchase decision.
Alfa Romeo: Beautiful But Problematic
Alfa Romeo ranks as the second worst car company in the world according to WhatCar’s latest dependability study (after MG), making it a significant concern for reliability-conscious buyers.
The Reality of Alfa Romeo Ownership
“Alfa builds stunning vehicles that are enjoyable to drive, but they’re simply not designed for long-term reliability,” said Alex Black of car research platform EpicVIN. This sentiment reflects the ongoing challenge with Alfa Romeo vehicles; they deliver exceptional driving experiences but often come with significant maintenance headaches.
Most Reliable Alfa Romeo Model
Despite the brand’s overall reliability struggles, the Alfa Romeo model that is the most reliable and ranks the highest in its vehicle category is the Alfa Romeo 4C, which ranks 8 out of 27 Most Reliable Luxury Convertibles, according to iSeeCars. Following the 4C is the Alfa Romeo Giulia and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio.
What This Means for Buyers
While Alfa Romeo vehicles offer undeniable style and performance, buyers should be prepared for higher maintenance costs and more frequent service visits compared to more reliable alternatives. Consumer Reports had insufficient data to create brand rankings for Alfa Romeo, which often indicates limited sales volume but also suggests potential reliability concerns among the vehicles that are sold.
Fiat: Small Cars, Big Problems
Fiat continues to struggle with reliability issues that have plagued the brand for years. Fiat finds itself seventh on WhatCar’s list of least dependable car brands, highlighting ongoing quality control problems.
The Fiat 500X Problem
The reliability issues are particularly pronounced with specific models. The Fiat 500X is a particularly weak entry, landing on U.S. News and World Report’s dreaded list of Most Unreliable Cars. This compact SUV has become emblematic of Fiat’s reliability struggles in the American market.
Comparing To Competitors
The Italian small car specialist has failed to manufacture cars as well as their rival Mini, demonstrating that other European brands have managed to achieve better reliability standards in the same market segment.
Consumer Advice
If you want a European sub-compact car, do yourself a favor and buy a Mini instead, according to automotive experts. This recommendation reflects the significant reliability gap between Fiat and its more dependable competitors.
Maserati: Luxury With Reliability Concerns
Maserati represents the luxury end of Italian automotive manufacturing, but even their premium positioning hasn’t shielded them from reliability issues.
Limited Reliability Data
Consumer Reports had insufficient data to create brand rankings for Maserati, along with several other luxury brands. This lack of comprehensive data often indicates either very low sales volumes or significant reliability concerns that affect data collection.
Best Performing Maserati Model
Among Maserati’s lineup, the Maserati model that is the most reliable and ranks the highest in its vehicle category is the Maserati Quattroporte, which ranks 18 out of 24 in iSeeCar’s Most Reliable Luxury Large Cars. Following the Quattroporte is the Maserati Levante and the Maserati Ghibli.
The Luxury Reliability Challenge
Even within Maserati’s limited reliability rankings, the Quattroporte’s 18th place out of 24 in its category demonstrates the challenges facing Italian luxury car reliability. This ranking suggests that even Maserati’s most reliable model performs below average compared to competitors in the luxury large car segment.
Why Italian Cars Struggle with Reliability
Engineering Philosophy
Italian car manufacturers have historically prioritized performance, style and driving emotion over long-term reliability. This engineering philosophy, while creating exciting vehicles, often results in more complex systems that require more maintenance.
Post-Warranty Service Patterns
Industry experts see reliability issues firsthand in post-warranty service and auction return rates, providing real-world evidence of the reliability challenges facing Italian brands.
Technology Integration Challenges
Many European manufacturers, including Italian brands, struggle with integrating new technologies while maintaining reliability standards, leading to systems that may be innovative but prone to problems.
What This Means for Car Buyers
Consider Total Cost of Ownership
When evaluating Italian car brands, buyers should factor in potentially higher maintenance costs, more frequent service visits and possible warranty repairs when calculating the total cost of ownership.
Warranty Protection is Essential
Buyers should be particularly cautious about post-warranty service costs, as Italian vehicles often experience more problems after their warranty periods expire.
Alternative Recommendations
For buyers seeking European styling and performance with better reliability, consider alternatives like BMW, Audi or even Mini, which have demonstrated better long-term dependability in recent studies. While Italian car brands continue to produce some of the most beautiful and emotionally engaging vehicles on the market, Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Maserati all face significant reliability challenges in 2025. These brands may create stunning vehicles that are enjoyable to drive, but they’re simply not designed for long-term reliability.
Potential buyers should carefully weigh their priorities: if you value style, performance and driving excitement above all else, these Italian brands may still appeal to you. However, if reliability, low maintenance costs and peace of mind are your primary concerns, you’ll likely find better options among Japanese or other European manufacturers. Before purchasing any vehicle from these brands, ensure you have a comprehensive warranty, budget for higher maintenance costs and have access to qualified service technicians familiar with Italian vehicles. While these cars can provide years of driving pleasure, they require more attention and care than their more reliable competitors.
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