If you’re looking at reliability ratings, you need more than one year of data to make an informed decision. Even as Consumer Reports feels comfortable predicting poor reliability for brand-new SUVs and cars, those have to be considered an educated guess.
On the other hand, if owner surveys and test data show a vehicle to be rock-solid for most of a decade, there’s little doubt about its performance. As long as you see a model you’re considering with high ratings, you can expect value from a purchase.
When it comes to the minivan segment, you won’t find any models on the worst-of or best-of reliability lists in the past few years. (Most fall in between.) If you’re among the 500,000 or so consumers who drive a new minivan home in 2018, it’s worth your while to make note of how they fared in recent tests.
Here are Consumer Reports’ overall reliability ratings for each model since 2015, with the best at the top of the list.
6. Dodge Grand Caravan
2015 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT | Dodge
- Reliability: Average
Since its last redesign for 2011, the Dodge Grand Caravan has been one of the least expensive minivans on the market, but its reliability is nothing special. Poor ratings early in the decade eventually gave way to simply “average,” where it’s sat since 2015.
Trouble spots in the power equipment, climate system, and body integrity have given owners the most frequent headaches.
5. Chrysler Pacifica
2019 Chrysler Pacifica | FCA
- Reliability: Average
Since its 2017 debut, the Chrysler Pacifica has returned some negative feedback from owners, but nothing conclusive as of yet. Reliability ratings were average for its debut year and predicted reliability remains the same for 2018.
Of the four recalls on the record for this model, two involved the electrical system and one centered around the rear seat belts. Check on the status of these issues if buying a Pacifica used.
4. Ford Transit Connect
2019 Ford Transit Connect | Ford
- Reliability: Above average
Since 2015, the Ford Transit Connect passenger van has posted one average and two above-average reliability ratings. Trouble spots have included the climate system, paint, and general body integrity.
Overall, the Transit Connect showed improvements in every weak area by 2017, so Consumer Reports felt comfortable predicting above-average reliability for 2018.
3. Honda Odyssey
2017 Honda Odyssey | Honda
- Reliability: Above average
Mechanically, the Honda Odyssey has proved as reliable as any minivan on the road since 2015. Owners have reported no trouble spots whatsoever in the engine, transmission, or drive system.
Meanwhile, the minor problem areas (electronics, power equipment) have improved since getting average scores. This model looks to be a safe bet for consumers.
2. Toyota Sienna
2018 Toyota Sienna | Toyota
- Reliability: Above average
Like so many other Toyotas, the Sienna minivan has posted strong reliability scores throughout the decade. Aside from some issues with in-car electronics and body integrity (2015-16), this model has been solid.
As far as starting in the morning and performing as you’d expect, buyers can expect the best from a Sienna in any model year since 2011.
1. Kia Sedona
2017 Kia Sedona | Kia
- Reliability: Above average to excellent
Since its 2015 redesign, the Kia Sedona has looked like the most reliable minivan on the market. The usual fit-and-finish issues turned up in the debut model, but that’s about it.
Meanchically, Sedona has proven to be very reliable. (Owners and testers reported high scores in nearly every area in 2016 and after.) Along with the Sienna and Odyssey, it’s minivan buyers’ top choice when reliability matters most.
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