When you’re looking for a vehicle, one thing you should do is some research. Knowing the five used SUVs you should never buy is one way to avoid a bad purchase.
What are the 5 used SUVs you should never buy?
The good news is that Scotty Kilmer, a professional auto mechanic for decades, is sharing his knowledge about SUVs on YouTube. He points out the five SUVs you shouldn’t buy are the:
- BMW X5
- Cadillac Escalade
- Jeep Renegade
- Chevy Traverse
- Pontiac Aztec
While SUVs are popular due to their sizes, he suggests not making the mistake of buying these SUVs used because of their poor construction.
BMW X5
The BMW X5 has some issues that he draws attention to, such as engine oil leaks, water leaking into the vehicle, and major transmission issues. The stability control system, which prevents the vehicle from flipping, also malfunctions.
Another concern is that the gyro sensor often goes bad, and the repair is around $1,500 to $1,800. The vehicle is completely unreliable, and if a repair does have to be made, it’s expensive. For instance, a transmission repair is up to $5,000.
Cadillac Escalade
While a Cadillac Escalade may look impressive, there are some major issues. For one thing, you only get 11 mpg in actual driving fuel economy. Another thing to remember is that the model is made with a lot of plastic, which cracks easily and breaks down over time.
This SUV is known for heating and AC problems because the computer malfunctions. Unfortunately, since the vehicle is computerized in a lot of ways, an otherwise simple repair may cost up to $2,500.
These vehicles often have early transmission failures and all-wheel-drive versions come with their own differential issues.
Essentially, this weighty vehicle doesn’t stand up to the test of time.
Jeep Renegade
TheJeep Renegade was made after Fiat and Chrysler merged. The Renegade is underpowered and small. Scotty states that trying to take it off-road is a bad idea because they aren’t up to the task.
Out of all the Renegades out there, avoid the 2015 most of all, because it is, according to Scotty, the worst one that was ever built.
What are the issues? Transmission problems and electronic and engine failures. It also has a higher likelihood of blowing a head gasket.
Chevy Traverse
While many people like the Chevy Traverse, it’s not a vehicle to buy used. The engines have been known to seize up at 40,000 miles. The AWD can cost thousands to fix.
Though this vehicle doesn’t have a supercruise system, some customers have stated that their vehicle was throwing alerts up saying that there were issues with it.
The combination of engine and transmission problems tell you to stay far away from buying this vehicle.
Pontiac Aztek
This became famous in Breaking Bad, but the vehicle itself isn’t great. One customer had the vehicle’s engine seize at only 55,000 miles after a head gasket blew. The Aztecs were GM’s version of a Toyota Matrix.
The Azteks have many issues, such as engine failures, transmission problems, and intake manifolds that go bad. Taking the engine apart costs around $1,500, and that could be necessary within the first few years of ownership.
Check Out Better SUVs at Vehicle History
You can get better SUVs than these. Compare models that you may want to buy here at Vehicle History. A little research goes a long way.