5 Cool Japanese Cars That'll Run Forever (5 That Are Notoriously Unreliable)

Despite Japan's reputation for superior quality and long-term reliability, some notoriously unreliable black sheep models exist.

The Japanese automobile industry is undoubtedly one of the largest, most-respected, and most popular industries globally. Despite the modest origins and heavy skepticism for offering affordable automobiles in the mid-20th century, Japanese automakers have persistently prioritized cost efficiency, technological innovation, product enhancement, and safety improvement. As a result, the Japanese car industry has gained a reputation for manufacturing tough, reliable, quality, and safe vehicles.

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Although Japan's automotive golden age arguably topped out in the '90s, the industry remains dominant in the reliability aspect of automobiles, as evidenced by the 80% takeover of this year's Consumer Reports top ten auto reliability rankings. However, despite Japan's reputation for superior quality and long-term reliability, some notoriously unreliable black sheep JDM models exist. According to data from reliability surveys, here's a list of some Japanese cars that'll run forever and others that will wear you down with unreliability.

The Accord has been a staple on American roads since the 1980s, a mainstream sedan that reshaped what to expect from family cars before crossover SUVs flipped the industry on its head. Except for the sixth and early seventh-generation models, the Accord has consistently been revered as one of the most reliable and best-selling mid-size cars.

In the last five years alone, J.D. Power has awarded the Honda Accord a great average score of 82 out of 100 for quality and reliability. Although the Accord has recurring recalls for fuel pump failure and exterior lighting issues, Consumer Reports rates Honda as the sixth most reliable brand, and that's not a one-time anomaly.

The luxurious Q50 sports sedan is one of Infiniti's most popular models, thanks to the modern design language, spacious interior, high-end features, and impressive engine options. J.D. Power and Consumer Reports have awarded recent Q50 models average reliability ratings, but the 2014 model is the most problematic year and one to avoid.

Related: 10 Things To Know Before Buying The 2022 Infiniti Q50

Despite numerous upgrades from the 2013 debut, the 2014 Q50 received the most complaints of any year, with seven major recalls made. These recalls involved faulty frontal airbag deployment, electric power steering assist failure, faulty Direct Adaptive Steering system, transmission housings prone to cracks and fractures, unexpected acceleration due to faulty throttle chamber, and stalling hybrid propulsion system.

The Outback may have started as a Subaru Legacy variant, but it eventually became a stand-alone model and popularized the lifted station wagon styling. The Outback has evolved over six generations, and apart from the 2011 to 2013 recall due to defective piston rings that lead to engine failure, its reliability has remained consistent.

According to Kelley Blue Book, the NHTSA has not issued any safety recalls for the Outback since 2018. J.D. Power has backed its reliability with average to above-average reliability scores, while Consumer Reports listed Subaru as the seventh most reliable brand in its annual rankings.

When the Titan came onto the scene as an alternative pickup truck, no one expected it to challenge popular offerings such as the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, and Ram 1500. Although Consumer Reports ranks Nissan as the ninth most reliable automotive brand, the Titan has certainly seen good days and bad ones.

The years 2004 through 2006 were particularly tough on the Titan, with 7 recalls/1,035 complaints in 2004, 6 recalls/878 complaints in 2005, and 7 recalls/424 complaints in 2006. These recurring bugs include faulty engine control modules that lead to stalling, faulty front and rear lower links, complications with trailer brake control connection, faulty seat belts, faulty air conditioning condenser fan, and shift lever failure.

The Toyota Camry has been a mainstay on U.S. roads for several decades and is currently rated as the most expensive sedan compared to its segment rivals. However, it's still the best-selling and most reliable sedan in the U.S. In the last decade alone, J.D. Power has yet to award the Camry anything less than a great reliability rating of 82 out of 100.

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The 2014 Camry is the most reliable, boasting a 92 out of 100 J.D. Power score for quality and reliability and zero recalls from the NHTSA. With Toyota ranking third in this year's Consumer Reports auto reliability rankings, you can expect the Camry to run forever.

Mazda has done very well in recent years to earn second in Consumer Reports' annual reliability rankings. But things were slightly different decades ago when the Mazda made the rotary engine an integral part of its sports car lineup, beginning with the 1967 Cosmo and culminating with the RX-8.

The sound and 9,000 rpm redline of the rev-happy 13B Renesis rotary powerplant may be intoxicating, but it's the RX-8's Achilles heel. The 13B Renesis engine is notoriously unpredictable and unreliable, plagued with frequent major issues such as ignition coil failure, leaking apex seals, catalytic converter failure, engine flooding, starter failure, clutch master and slave cylinder failure, and excessive oil consumption.

The ES was part of the debut lineup that propelled Lexus to become one of the top luxury brands in the automotive industry. Besides being the second most-selling model in the Lexus lineup, the ES was crucial in stamping the automaker's position as Consumer Reports' top pick in its annual auto reliability report.

According to J.D. Powers, the Lexus ES has enjoyed a steady run of great reliability ratings in the last decade, with the 2017 model year recording the highest (96 out of 100 points for quality and reliability). The ES has remained consistent with minor recalls within the same period, averaging one safety recall per model year.

The Odyssey was Honda's entry into the minivan segment, introduced in the '90s as American consumers began shopping for models with roomy interiors to easily accommodate specific uses. Unfortunately, the 2002 to 2004 Odysseys are the worst to buy, plagued with numerous issues that make them notoriously unreliable.

Related: These Are The Best Features Of The 2022 Honda Odyssey

As illustrated by the NHTSA, The 2002 Odyssey had 10 recalls and 964 complaints, 2003 had 15 recalls and 932 complaints, and 2004 had 13 recalls and 570 complaints. These issues range from airbag inflator explosions to clogged exhaust gas recirculation valves, catalytic converter failure, faulty transmission, defective sliding doors, ignition switch failure, and braking system issues.

The MX-5 Miata has undergone numerous redesigns and facelifts spanning over three decades, but it has remained spiritually unchanged since the original debuted for 1990. The nimble Miata has succeeded for a long time, thanks to its dynamic balance, affordability, modern technology, driving fun, drop-top design, trackability, and long-term reliability.

Except for the 2010 model, Consumer Reports has awarded the MX-5 Miata an impressive five out of five reliability rating for nearly every year it has rated it. In 2022, Consumer Reports listed the Miata as the sixth most reliable new car, ahead of the Mazda CX-9 in 10th place.

When the three-row Ascent SUV arrived in 2019, it ticked all the right boxes that people have come to expect from a family hauler. However, despite bearing the Subaru stars synonymous with reliability, the Ascent is the family's black sheep with surprisingly mediocre ratings. While sales for other Subaru offerings went up after the pandemic year, the Ascent is underperforming as the only all-wheel-drive car with negative sales.

The Subaru Ascent has been such a poor performer in its few years of production that Consumer Reports included it in the 2022 least reliable cars list. The 2022 Ascent received a jaw-dropping predicted reliability rating of 18 out of 100, which is less reliable than the average new car.

Simon Kim has always been passionate about machines since childhood, and this has grown into an obsession well into adulthood. As an avid reader and creative content writer, he finds joy and fulfillment in sharing his love for cars and bikes with other machine heads. Currently, Kim seeks to deliver exciting and informative articles on HotCars. He enjoys music and art and dabbles in active sports and virtual gaming in his spare time.