6 Worst EVs To Buy if You Hate Spending Money on Maintenance

Electric vehicles eliminate oil changes, spark plugs, timing belts, and much of the other routine maintenance. However, that doesn't mean every EV is cheap to own.

Consumer Reports' latest reliability survey found EVs and plug-in hybrids have about 80% more problems on average than gas-only cars. If you want to avoid making a financial mistake on your next car, reliability matters just as much as skipping trips to the gas station.

Here are 6 of the worst electric vehicles to buy based on reliability scores.

Editor's note: All reliability data comes from Consumer Reports.

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Scheduled maintenance is one place EVs have a clear advantage. The Department of Energy estimates that it costs 6.1 cents per mile for a battery-electric vehicle, versus 10.1 cents per mile for a gas vehicle.

Unexpected repairs are another matter. Consumer Reports tracks 20 trouble areas and identifies the EV battery and charging system as two potentially expensive problems once warranty coverage expires.

The integrated charging control unit, or ICCU, is one example. It helps charge the 12-volt battery on Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis EVs. A failed unit may result in a loss of drive power, according to a 2024 recall affecting 145,235 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles. The repair may require both new hardware and a software update at the dealer.

Consumer Reports predicted reliability: 18 out of 100

The R1T finished as the least reliable EV in Consumer Reports' survey. Reported trouble spots include the battery, motors, climate system, steering, suspension, and powered door handles, according to Quartz's rundown of CR data.

Rivian's warranty coverage varies by model year and configuration. Some R1T models have 8 years or 175,000 miles of battery and drivetrain coverage and 5 years or 60,000 miles of comprehensive coverage, while others have shorter warranty limits. Some software problems are easier to handle. A 2025 Highway Assist recall, for example, was fixed through an over-the-air update. Suspension or mechanical hardware is a different story.

Consumer Reports predicted reliability: 19 out of 100

Owners have reported battery trouble, cooling failures, climate system problems, and repeated 12-volt battery failures. Consumer Reports also shows that the 2025 Blazer EV has been recalled three times.

Chevrolet's battery warranty lasts 8 years or 100,000 miles, but bumper-to-bumper coverage ends after 3 years or 36,000 miles. That shorter clock matters when the problem involves the climate system, electronics, or other components outside the battery warranty.

Consumer Reports predicted reliability: 21 out of 100

Battery trouble shows up prominently in owner reports. In one case cited by Quartz, a dashboard warning eventually led to replacement of the entire high-voltage battery.

The GV60 was also included in the 2024 ICCU recall. Hyundai later extended ICCU coverage to 15 years or 180,000 miles for certain models, but its warranty-extension bulletin lists only the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6. Genesis also extended ICCU coverage to 15 years or 180,000 miles for certain 2023-2025 GV60 models.

Consumer Reports predicted reliability: 24 out of 100

The three-row EV9 has accumulated reports of battery problems requiring individual cell replacements, as well as issues with charging, electrical accessories, and in-car electronics.

Kia backs its EVs with a 10-year or 100,000-mile warranty, but don't assume every EV-specific problem is covered. Kia's 2026 ICCU warranty extension covers certain 2022 to 2024 EV6 models. The EV9 isn't included.

Consumer Reports predicted reliability: 25 out of 100

Reported EV6 problems reach well beyond one component. Owners have flagged battery, electric motor, ICCU, climate, brake, and body hardware issues.

There is some good news for buyers worried about the ICCU. Kia extended coverage to 15 years or 180,000 miles for qualifying 2022 to 2024 EV6 models built from November 17, 2021, through July 22, 2024. That protection transfers to used buyers. It doesn't extend the warranty on unrelated motor, climate, brake, or body problems.

Consumer Reports predicted reliability: 25 out of 100

Honda's Prologue shares its platform with the Chevrolet Blazer EV, and its reliability record has raised similar concerns. Owner reports include full battery replacements, charging issues, climate problems, and drive system troubles.

Honda provides 3 years or 36,000 miles of new-vehicle coverage and 5 years or 60,000 miles of powertrain coverage. For someone buying used, where the vehicle sits within those warranty periods could make a big difference.

EV repair costs aren't limited to giant battery packs. Tires are another expense worth watching. J.D. Power found that EV tires wear faster due to the vehicles' additional weight and torque.

Brakes present the opposite problem. Regenerative braking reduces how often the friction brakes do the work. That means the rear brakes may stay relatively cool and see little use, leaving them more susceptible to rust and seized calipers.

Battery replacement is the biggest potential bill. Out-of-warranty packs may cost roughly $6,500 to $15,000 depending on the vehicle and manufacturer. For perspective, the 2024 Honda Prologue Elite originally cost $59,295, including destination, while its current resale value is far lower. A major battery repair becomes much harder to stomach once the car itself has lost a big chunk of its original value.

Start with the warranty instead of assuming "10 years" applies to everything. Battery, powertrain, and bumper-to-bumper coverage often expire at different times, and transfer rules matter on used vehicles.

Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty is limited to the original purchaser and qualifying Certified Pre-Owned buyers. A regular subsequent owner instead keeps whatever transferable warranty coverage remains, including the 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty.

Next, enter the VIN into NHTSA's recall lookup. Ask for paperwork showing that any open recall work was completed. Hyundai and Kia shoppers should also verify whether the specific vehicle qualifies for an extended ICCU warranty.

For a used EV, ask for a battery state-of-health report before buying. Then compare the result with the manufacturer's warranty threshold. Rivian, for example, covers its battery if capacity falls below 70% during the warranty period.

All six EVs here received predicted CR reliability scores of 25 or lower. The recurring complaints aren't limited to one piece of technology, either. They include batteries, charging components, climate systems, motors, and 12-volt electrical equipment.

Catastrophic battery failures still aren't the most common outcome. Recurrent found that fewer than 4% of EVs in its data have needed a battery replacement, excluding major recalls, with the oldest EVs accounting for the highest rates. More ordinary repairs, along with tires and other wear items, may be the expenses that hit your budget first. Factor those costs into the purchase price to make the right moves on your next EV.