CR's reputation has been declining steadily over the last several years. I was a longtime subscriber and loyalist until I saw several instances where their reviews weren't close to reality. Their claim of being unbiased has also been called into question on numerous occasions. Now, they're as reliable as Rotten Tomatoes, Wikipedia, and Snopes.I paid for and used Consumer Reports once when it was time to make my refrigerator purchase. The #1 top rated fridge on their page is literately the worst fridge I have ever owned. Consumer Reports lost my trust FOREVER.
100% agree, they're terible. I prefer the automotive opinions of my wifes knitting group over anything Consumer Reports has to say when it comes to cars.I paid for and used Consumer Reports once when it was time to make my refrigerator purchase. The #1 top rated fridge on their page is literately the worst fridge I have ever owned. Consumer Reports lost my trust FOREVER.
I purchased a 2014 Jeep Cherokee (new model) with the new 9 speed transmission. If you want a laugh look up the 9 speed transmission issues as well as the front end wobble due to weak axle half shafts. These were finally replaced to correct the problem. The transmission issue was never fixed properly with only software bandages. I finally received a new transmission when the original self-destructed. I put it in reverse to back out of my drivewaay the Cherokee hopped forward like a scared rabit.(LOL) Towed in and took over a month to replace the transmission.The actual Consumer Reports article "42 Used Cars to Avoid Buying" was updated December 31, 2025 and specifically lists only the 2021 Bronco Sport to avoid. Not subsequent years. Not surprising as this is the initial year of manufacturer for the Bronco Sport. The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport (subcompact Class) did receive a CR Recommends with a total score of 71.
We still have a 2014 Jeep Cherokee with that crappy ZF tranny. To Jeep’s credit, they extended the warranty on the transmission to 10 years or 100k miles. The software patches did keep ours from grenading.I purchased a 2014 Jeep Cherokee (new model) with the new 9 speed transmission. If you want a laugh look up the 9 speed transmission issues as well as the front end wobble due to weak axle half shafts. These were finally replaced to correct the problem. The transmission issue was never fixed properly with only software bandages. I finally received a new transmission when the original self-destructed. I put it in reverse to back out of my drivewaay the Cherokee hopped forward like a scared rabit.(LOL) Towed in and took over a month to replace the transmission.
I'll give credit to Jeep, after the proper repairs were made never had any other problems.
I replaced the 2014 with a new 2016 and then a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. Bothe were problem free.
Learned never to buy a first-year model the hard way.
I never buy the first year of a new model. that is where 90% of the issues are.The actual Consumer Reports article "42 Used Cars to Avoid Buying" was updated December 31, 2025 and specifically lists only the 2021 Bronco Sport to avoid. Not subsequent years. Not surprising as this is the initial year of manufacturer for the Bronco Sport. The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport (subcompact Class) did receive a CR Recommends with a total score of 71.
I have always bought the first-year model with no issues, because I have noticed that the next year's model has some great stuff missing.I never buy the first year of a new model. that is where 90% of the issues are.