Buying Used? Skip These 15 Car Brands
Most buyers prefer used cars to new ones because of financial limitations. Used cars are not only cheaper; they also have lower insurance rates.
However, going for used cars is a risky venture since some brands are known for myriads of problems. The worst-case scenario is that you may not notice these problems until weeks or months after purchase. Therefore, knowing which used cars to avoid can save you both money and time.
We highlight 15 unreliable used cars based on data from credible sources like RepairPal, J. D. Power, and NHTSA. Read on for 15 cars you should not buy used.
Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
The heavy-duty Chevy is a big bad beast when handling tough truck tasks. It is tough, strong, and smooth-operating. But used ones are best left alone to avoid costly repairs.
The worst problems come from the brakes, while the 2015 model year stands out as one of the worst. No wonder it earned 18 safety recalls by the NHTSA between January 2014 and July 2021.
Ford Fiesta
With its low prices and great fuel economy, a used Ford Fiesta may look like a good bargain. However, it costs $552 in annual repairs, while other subcompact cars cost an average of $456.
It also has its fair share of reliability issues, with the 2011 to 2014 models being the most notorious. Most of the problems with these model years come from the transmission system.
BMW X5
Used X5s may seem like the perfect budget entrance into the luxury world of BMWs. However, in the long run, it may burn holes in your pocket.
The X5 gulps an average of $1,166 every year in repairs. And don't expect older X5s to have great fuel economy, either. In general, BMWs also break down too often and have the fourth-highest recall rate.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
A 2023 study by J. D. Power highlighted that Jeep has 196 problems per 100 vehicles. Consumer Reports also gives the American brand a low predicted reliability rating of 26 out of 100.
The Grand Cherokee itself is notorious for the number of reliability issues against its name. Carcomplaints highlight the 2011 and 2014 models as the biggest culprits. Together, they have a pile of transmission, engine, and electrical problems.
Jaguar X-Type
Jaguars are sleek luxury cars that have a wide variety of reliability issues. RepairPal gives the brand a reliability rating of 2.5 and ranks 29th out of 32 vehicles. Besides that, maintaining an average Jaguar can be quite costly, with annual repair expenses reaching $1,123.
With its poor fuel economy and frequent breakdowns, the X-Type Jaguar is a constant headache to its unlucky owners.
Cadillac Escalade
The Escalade is a tempting choice for a luxury full-size SUV. But before writing any checks, know that you will likely be spending $1,007 for annual repairs. It also has a total of 49 safety recalls to its name.
Of all the model years to avoid, 2015 and 2016 seem the most notorious. Many drivers reported issues with the engine, transmission, and body/paint.
Dodge Journey
If you have the Dodge Journey on your radar as a possible buy, you should look elsewhere. The average Journey costs $562 in annual repairs and maintenance. Adding this to the Journey's subpar fuel economy means spending more in the long run.
Specifically, avoid the 2009 and 2010 model years, which have been reported to have more issues, such as brake, electrical, and engine problems.
Mini Cooper
Although the Mini Cooper is small, there is nothing small about the annual repair cost of $846. This places it in the same sandbox as the Mercedes-Benz GLK350 and the Lincoln MKC. By comparison, other subcompact cars average $456 in yearly repairs.
Another problem with the Mini Cooper is that it breaks down more frequently than the average vehicle. Some of Cooper's common complaints are clutch and automatic transmission failure.
Fiat 500
The Fiat 500 is another used small car that gives owners a fair amount of headache. At $522, the annual repair cost for the Fiat 500 is greater than the average for other subcompact cars. Another thing is that it also has a higher chance of needing major repairs than subcompact competition.
Please note that it is in your best interest to steer clear of the 2012, 2013, and 2015 model years.
Mercedes-Benz GL
The Mercedes-Benz GL is an elegant and comfortable SUV with room for seven passengers. Thanks to its luxury features and affordability, it remains an attractive choice of mobility for many potential buyers.
However, a savvy shopper knows that this class of Mercedes-Benz also has many reliability issues. For example, the GL450 has a reliability rating of 1.5 out of 5.0 and costs $1,293 in annual repairs. Not only does it break down more often, it also has a higher chance of developing major issues.
Tesla Model X
Due to the high cost of a new Model X, many would-be buyers make the mistake of going for a used one. This is a poor choice, given that even new Teslas are relatively unreliable. J. D. Power's 2024 U.S.
Initial Quality Study shows that Tesla has 266 problems per 100 vehicles. In addition, Tesla cars are expensive to maintain. They cost an average of $832 in repairs annually, compared to the industry average of $652.
GMC Canyon
The GMC Canyon is a powerful midsize truck that meets most trucking needs. RepairPal gives it a solid reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0. However, GMC, as a brand, does not fare well, according to some studies.
For instance, Consumer Reports gave it a predicted reliability score of 36 out of 100. J. D. Power also rated GMC a little above BMW and Mercedes-Benz in terms of initial quality.
Audi Q7
The Q7 is a premium SUV that delivers amazing luxury and high-tech features. But it also has its downsides.
It comes with expensive maintenance costs that can strain the owner's budget. Every year, most owners must fork over $1,185 for repairs and maintenance. That makes it even more expensive to keep than the BMW X5. It is better to skip the Audi Q7.
Nissan Pathfinder
The Pathfinder is a solid midsize SUV that can seat up to eight passengers. It has a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5.0 from RepairPal. However, the Nissan Pathfinder also has its share of reliability issues.
According to Carcomplaints, the most troublesome model years are 2005, 2006, and 2007. These models are notorious for transmission problems like coolant leaking into the transmission, transmission failure, and shuddering.
Ram 1500
A full-size truck with coil-spring suspension deserves consideration. But before paying for a used Ram 1500, you need to know that Consumer Reports ranks Ram below Tesla for reliability.
Older models of the Ram 1500 had too many things going wrong. The 2014 model was the worst hit. An avalanche of transmission, engine, steering, and electrical issues earned it 17 safety recalls by the NHTSA.
