4 Japanese Cars That Break Down More Than the Average Vehicle
Written by
Chris Adam
Edited by
Cory Dudak
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If you’re in the market for a reliable vehicle, Japanese automakers typically have good reputations for building cars that will hold up for years. But that doesn’t mean all Japanese cars are great bets for reliability.
2025 Nissan Frontier
- Price: $32,050 to $45,610
When it comes to unreliable car brands, Nissan has been making a name for itself. Specifically, according to Consumer Reports, the 2025 Nissan Frontier ranks among the least reliable vehicles.
Consumer Reports made the rankings based on detailed data from members. The Frontier had a predicted reliability rating of 27/100.
2015 Scion IQ
- Price: $7,725
You may not be surprised to see this tiny hatchback on the list of Japanese cars that may not hold up for a long time. According to Consumer Reports, it’s one of the lowest-scoring cars they tested in recent years.Â
Among the complaints are that this vehicle is slow, noisy and pretty uncomfortable. You may also want to put aside a good amount of money for possible repairs.Â
2016 Honda CR-Z
- Price: $10,475 to $12,250
While Honda vehicles generally make good choices for reliable rides, you may want to seriously consider if the Honda CR-Z is really the best buy for your next vehicle. The idea of creating a sporty hybrid sounds good, but many reviewers thought the CR-Z failed to live up to the hype. You could not only face reliability issues, but the overall ride and cabin noise are said to be negative factors.
2024 Mitsubishi Mirage
- Price: $14,600 to $17,175
Mitsubishi has had some success with the cheap car market thanks to the Mirage, but this vehicle leaves much to be desired. In fact, it’s probably one of the Japanese cars that’s likely to break down more than the average vehicle. Reviewers have noted the weak and very noisy three-cylinder engine that gives drivers sluggish acceleration.
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