There are a lot of advantages to buying a used car over a new model. We deconstruct Consumer Reports‘ list of least reliable preowned autos.
When the stars align just right, sure, you’re going to get the most miles out of a brand-new car or truck. But buying used puts you at an advantage in that you’re not buying anything that hasn’t already been battle-tested.
A Hyundai that’s still chuggin’ after five years is likely to keep on chuggin’ for another five. When you buy brand-new and the car turns out to be a piece of junk, you’re the one taking the risk so that everyone else can learn from your mistakes.
But, just because a used car can survive the trip home doesn’t mean it’s going to be a great investment. Some of these cars really are reliable, others are only still running because the seller has been putting way too much money into repairs.
Some of them may be in one piece only because they’ve seen minimal use, or maybe the owner simply knows they’re sitting on a time bomb, and they’re trying to pawn it off on the next sucker before it finally goes off.
And that brings us to the main advantage of buying used: there’s plenty of material out there for you to research before you make the purchase.
And one of the best places to find out if a used car is worth its weight in scrap: Consumer Reports. So let’s take a look at…
Used Cars You Shouldn’t Buy, Says Consumer Reports
To cover every single ride Consumer Reports takes issue with would take a lot more time than you probably have, so we’re just going to cover five of Consumer Reports‘ least reliable vehicles in the SUV/minivan, sedan, pickup, compact, and electric/hybrid categories, in that order.
2008-2012 Chrysler Town & Country
Relaunched for the 2017 model year as the Chrysler Pacifica, Consumer Reports warns against buying a used Town & Country from 2008-2012, owing to high numbers of returns. These would be fifth-generation T&Cs, which ran from 2008 to 2016.
The Town & Country/Pacifica isn’t a bad vehicle, but it’s sort of hit-or-miss year-to-year. Vehicle History user reviews for the 2010 cite frequent repairs and battery issues, such as the car refusing to start or suddenly losing power.
A 2009 driver points to poor overall build quality, with latches failing to snap shut and handles falling off.
A gently used 2012 C&T can be a dependable vehicle with enough work put into it, but with the Kelley Blue Book putting these decade-old cars at around ten thousand bucks, it’s simply not worth the total costs.
If you’re buying used, avoid the fifth-generation models, and if you want to buy new, wait a couple of years to see how the new Pacifica performs before you put your money down.
2011-2014 Ford Fiesta
Ford seems to produce two types of vehicles: those that will last you a lifetime with proper maintenance, and those that will start falling apart at the seams at around fifty thousand miles.
Many of the sixth-generation Fiestas seem to fall into the latter category.
The 2011-2014 models saw a number of alarming recalls, including one that saw the doors failing to latch in about half a million Fords, and one involving leaky gas tanks.
Owners report that the transmission problems tend to start around fifty, sixty thousand miles, with Fiestas slipping out of gear and rattling at highway speeds.
Add to that, wiring problems, the radio going out, batteries dying, and so on. Essentially, people are saying that the early-2010s Fiestas live up to their reputation as a flimsy, cheap-feeling car.
2014-2016 Ram 1500
Ford’s closest competitor in the full-size pickup market has had a rocky decade. Anything from before 2010 is generally going to have a solid rating with Consumer Reports, but the 2014 and 2016 have both landed on the Do Not Buy list, while the 2012 has some serious issues with brakes and power systems.
An owner review for the 2014 cites major problems with the V8 Hemi engine chewing through parts like valve guides, pistons, and heads, requiring extensive servicing at a machine shop.
A number of reviewers have also cited poor customer support from Dodge, alleging that the company will do everything it can to avoid honoring warranties or fixing anything for free.
Your mileage may vary, you might have nothing but positive experiences with Dodge’s representatives. But you’re likely to find a lot more complaints along these lines associated with Dodge than with brands like Ford and Honda.
2012-2015 Fiat 500
Interesting bit of trivia about Fiats: they tend to be a lot more reliable than their reputation would suggest. The problem is that driving schools love Fiats. So a lot of used Fiats are retired driving school cars. That means that when you buy a used Fiat, there’s a good chance your car has been used and abused by dozens of teenagers mistaking the handbrake for the gear shift.
But, the 2012-2015 Fiat 500s are an exception, according to Consumer Reports. These ones are just plain unreliable. Suspension, brakes and electronic equipment are the big issues with these models.
One driver reports that their headlights burn out once every three months or so.
If you’re shopping for a hip little city car, give Fiat a chance, just not these ones.
2016 Tesla Model X
No surprise seeing a Tesla on here. Developers have made great strides, but all-electric cars are still, largely, uncharted territory. Consumer Reports singles out the 2016 Model X for being just generally unreliable all around.
A host of electronic kinks like fidgety instrument clusters and no storage space for music make the “car of the future” a bit of a disappointment.
A number of drivers have noted a general flimsiness to the car’s design.
For instance, the falcon-wing doors don’t always latch, the wimpy suspension may leave your car dragging on the street, and the propulsion system might just drop out on you when you need it most, according to complaints registered with the NHTSA.
If you’ve absolutely gotta have a Model X, skip the 2016. Go one year up or one year back.
Your Best Bet: Research Vehicle’s Reliability
Some “reliable” cars go about 20,000 miles before the transmission goes out. Some “unreliable” cars wind up being passed down from generation to generation. “Reliable” is never a guarantee, so do your research, but don’t forget to test-drive and kick the tires before you buy.
There’s always more to learn. This list is by no means a comprehensive, all-inclusive catalog of every unreliable car ever manufactured, so our advice is to keep reading. Every second spent doing your research is a dollar saved on eventual repairs.
Photos: Dodge, Tesla, Ford, Fiat, Chrysler
