Camilla Jessen
New data from Germany’s ADAC reveals an unexpected turn for Toyota.
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A new report from Germany’s largest automobile club, ADAC, has revealed some eyebrow-raising stats: several popular Toyota models are topping the list for vehicle breakdowns in 2024.
The Toyota C-HR, RAV4, Yaris, and Yaris Cross—all typically praised for their reliability—were found to have some of the highest rates of roadside assistance callouts in Germany last year.
That’s a surprising turn for a brand that’s usually associated with dependability.
Battery Trouble at the Core
According to ADAC, nearly 45% of all car issues reported last year were linked to a failing 12-volt battery—a problem that hit Toyota especially hard. The C-HR and RAV4, across multiple model years, were consistently flagged. Newer Yaris and Yaris Cross models were also frequently affected.
Engine troubles were the second most common issue (22.1%), followed by flat tires (8.8%).
Toyota has acknowledged the battery problems in these models, stating that the issue has since been addressed. The company says it has improved everything from battery production to delivery and claims that newer vehicles no longer come equipped with the same problematic batteries.
EVs Outperform Traditional Engines
The study, which analyzed over 3.6 million roadside assistance cases and covered 159 vehicle models, also revealed a growing trend: electric vehicles are proving more reliable than their gasoline and diesel counterparts.
Electric cars had just 8.5 breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles, compared to 12.9 for cars with combustion engines.
However, the total number of EV breakdowns did jump by 46% compared to the previous year—but this is largely due to the increasing number of electric vehicles on German roads.
The findings mark the second consecutive year that Toyota has underperformed in ADAC’s reliability rankings. It’s a notable shift for the brand, which is still widely regarded for its quality and innovation.
Meanwhile, Tesla received praise for its low number of breakdowns, and many European models also performed well.
Despite the criticism, Toyota remains a hugely popular carmaker.
The company is also pushing forward with alternative energy strategies, including hydrogen-powered vehicles—an area where BMW is also showing interest.