Summary of "17 WORST Cars That NO ONE Buys According to Consumer Reports"
Overall verdict
Consumer Reports and owner feedback identify these 17 models as among the least reliable/value-friendly choices on the market. Common issues are frequent recalls, electrical/engine/transmission failures, high repair and insurance costs, poor fuel economy for the price, and rapid depreciation. Recommendation: avoid these models unless you accept high ownership costs and downtime; shop competitors cited in each entry for better reliability/value.
Ranked list — 17 → 1
17) Chevrolet Blazer
- Starting price: ≈ $44,000.
- Appeal: bold styling, tech features.
- Pros: looks and tech appeal.
- Cons: engine stalling, electrical issues (notably 2020–2021), poor reliability, low fuel economy (~20 mpg), rapid depreciation, high insurance/repair costs, subpar crash-test results, rough ride.
- Verdict: Risky and costly versus competitors.
16) Lincoln Aviator
- Price range: ≈ $53k up to ~$88k (Black Label).
- Appeal: luxury styling and features.
- Cons: reliability problems across multiple years (2020–2024), recalls for electrical and airbag issues, very poor combined fuel economy (~18 mpg).
- Comparison: underperforms versus BMW X5 and Audi Q7.
- Verdict: Overpriced relative to reliability and efficiency.
15) Volvo XC60
- Price: ≈ $53,000.
- Pros: premium interior, safety reputation.
- Cons: multiple recalls (three major in 2024 noted), transmission problems, engine stalling, infotainment/driver-assist glitches, steep maintenance costs, mediocre fuel economy (~22 mpg combined).
- Verdict: Attractive and safe on paper but poor long-term value.
14) Rivian R1T
- Starting price: ≈ $71,700 (base); top trims much higher.
- Pros: innovative design, off-road capability, ~314‑mile range.
- Cons: software glitches, suspension issues, slow/delayed repairs, unique charging connector/limited public charging, limited technician availability, multiple recalls in 2024 (airbag, accelerator pedal), charging interruptions.
- Comparison: Ford F-150 Lightning is cheaper in base; price parity possible when equipment matched.
- Verdict: Innovative but a gamble due to reliability/support constraints.
13) Polestar 2
- Price: ≈ $49,900.
- Pros: stylish design, crossover-like seating, solid safety.
- Cons: Google‑based infotainment glitches, EPA range (~270 miles) lags Tesla rivals, recalls for battery issues (2021–2022) that could shut down the high-voltage system, stiff ride, limited service centers, high repair costs.
- Verdict: Stylish EV with service and reliability concerns.
12) Ford Bronco
- Starting price: ≈ $39,600 (base); higher for Raptor and top trims.
- Pros: retro looks and off-road capability.
- Cons: recalls across 2021–2023 (including cracked fuel injector/fire risk), transmission problems, noisy engines, V6 valve‑train issues, cheap-feeling interior with rattles, slow infotainment, inconsistent build quality, removable roof issues, rough/noisy ride, poor fuel economy (~17 mpg).
- Verdict: Strong off-road persona but poor daily-driving reliability and quality.
11) Buick Encore
- Price: ≈ $26,000.
- Pros: comfortable ride, usable cabin/cargo space, city-friendly size, decent fuel economy (~25 mpg).
- Cons: underpowered 1.4L turbo, transmission/AC/electrical issues, clunky infotainment, multiple recalls (powertrain, airbags/seat belts), lacks modern safety features.
- Verdict: Affordable but weak performance and reliability make long-term ownership risky.
10) Dodge Durango
- Starting price: ≈ $40,000 (very high for SRT Hellcat).
- Pros: strong performance, best‑in‑class towing (~8,700 lb), quick acceleration, comfortable quiet ride, roomy cargo.
- Cons: very poor fuel economy (avg ~15 mpg), reports of engine failures and exhaust manifold/ticking noises, below-average safety scores, missing active safety tech, high maintenance costs and poor resale.
- Verdict: Powerful and roomy but expensive and problematic for daily use.
9) Jeep Wrangler
- Starting price: ≈ $33,000.
- Pros: legendary off-road capability.
- Cons: electrical problems, rust, engine noise, vague/wandering steering, firm suspension and rough on pavement, multiple recalls (fuel lines, airbags, structural cracks), poor fuel economy (~19 mpg), limited storage, steep depreciation.
- Verdict: Excellent off-road but poor daily-driver reliability/value.
8) Jaguar F‑PACE
- Starting price: ≈ $58,300 (base).
- Pros: attractive design, good handling/performance when functioning.
- Cons: widespread electrical/infotainment failures, excessive oil consumption, failing fuel pumps, several recalls (including brakes), frequent shop visits. Jaguar ranked 29th of 32 manufacturers in a What Car? reliability survey.
- Verdict: Drives well when not broken — too many headaches for a luxury SUV.
7) Nissan Frontier
- Starting price: ≈ $29,000.
- Pros: rugged, Pro‑4X off‑road model with locking differential.
- Cons: mixed reputation and dated design (pre‑2022), major trouble years (2005–2010, 2013–2018) with transmission failures, engine issues, defective airbags, paint chipping, faulty fuel systems, stiff ride, basic interior, poor fuel economy (~18 mpg), ongoing recalls on airbags/brakes. Production planned to be scaled back (end 3/31/2025 mentioned).
- Verdict: Loyal fan base but many reliability/comfort compromises; newer models improved but still behind competitors.
6) Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
- Starting price: ≈ $44,145.
- Pros: family-friendly space, quiet ride, excellent fuel economy (82 MPG equivalent), $7,500 tax credit.
- Cons: serious reliability issues — EV battery/electronics/charging system faults (frozen screens, battery warmers, charging failures), large recall history (67,000+ units 2017–2023), wiring connector recall causing stalling/shutdown risk, high maintenance/repair likelihood.
- Verdict: Efficient on paper but poor long-term dependability for a family vehicle.
5) Volkswagen Jetta
- Starting price: ≈ $21,995.
- Pros: affordable, attractive styling, smooth ride and decent fuel economy (~30 mpg for some users).
- Cons: prevalent reliability troubles across many model years — DSG transmission failures, engine stalling, electrical problems, recalls (fuel lines, airbags), average crash-test ratings, cheap interior materials, long-term reliability concerns.
- Verdict: Attractive price and look but chronic reliability problems make other compact sedans better choices.
4) Land Rover Range Rover Sport
- Price range: ≈ $83k–$121k+ depending on trim.
- Pros: luxurious interior, comfortable seats, quiet cabin, powerful engine options (twin‑turbo V6 and V8 up to ~530 hp), high safety rating mentioned.
- Cons: extremely high maintenance/repair costs due to complex systems, historically poor reliability years (2006–2008, 2013) with engine/transmission/electrical problems, expensive upkeep.
- Verdict: Luxurious and capable but costly and risky to own long term.
3) Fiat 500L
- Starting price: ≈ $24,000.
- Pros: quirky, affordable styling.
- Cons: notorious transmission failures and engine stalling (2014–2017), many recalls (airbags, fuel leaks, suspension), heavy depreciation (some owners lost ~50% value in 3 years), cramped interior, poor fuel economy (~25 mpg), bumpy ride; discontinued in US in 2021.
- Verdict: Cheap-looking but costly ownership and poor resale.
2) GMC Sierra 1500
- Price range: ≈ $38,945–$86,900.
- Pros: towing capacity and comfort appreciated by some owners.
- Cons: reliability issues in 2014–2019 models (transmission failures, engine troubles, faulty electronics, steering component problems), common recalls (brake failures, fire risks), poor fuel economy (~17 mpg), high insurance/repair costs.
- Comparison: Consumer Reports cites Chevrolet Silverado 1500 as a more dependable towing alternative.
- Verdict: Avoid if reliability and ownership costs matter — Silverado preferred.
1) Mitsubishi Mirage
- Price: cheapest car on market (no specific price cited).
- Pros: very low initial price.
- Cons: weak/noisy 3‑cylinder engine with poor acceleration and handling, low-quality interior materials, poor ride, poor crash-test performance (IHS small overlap), multiple recalls (SRS/internal acceleration sensor causing airbag failures, screeching brakes on some, AC and transmission issues), high long-term repair costs (average repair cost cited ≈ $5,135 in first 10 years), being discontinued in US (no 2025 model).
- Verdict: Cheapest up front but expensive and unsafe to own — ranked worst on the list.
Cross-cutting themes and notable points
- Recurring problem categories: electrical/infotainment failures; engine stalling/excessive oil consumption; transmission failures; airbag and safety-related recalls; fuel system defects; suspension/steering complaints; high maintenance/repair costs; rapid depreciation.
- Fuel economy and range figures often cited for comparison (examples: Blazer ~20 mpg, Aviator ~18 mpg, XC60 ~22 mpg, Bronco ~17 mpg, Wrangler ~19 mpg, Durango ~15 mpg, Sierra ~17 mpg, Jetta ~30 mpg, Polestar ~270‑mi EPA range, Rivian ~314‑mi range).
- Several vehicles are discontinued or being phased out in the U.S.: Fiat 500L (discontinued), Mitsubishi Mirage (discontinued in U.S.), Nissan Frontier (production reduction planned).
- Frequent comparisons used in the video: Rivian R1T vs Ford F‑150 Lightning, GMC Sierra vs Chevrolet Silverado, Lincoln vs BMW/Audi (X5/Q7), Jaguar’s low rank in What Car? reliability survey (29th of 32 manufacturers), and IHS crash-test results (Mirage).
Sources and perspectives cited
- Consumer Reports (primary source for “worst” designation and reliability data).
- Owner reports and consumer complaints (real-world problem examples).
- Recall data and official safety agencies.
- What Car? reliability survey (Jaguar ranking).
- IHS small‑overlap crash test and EPA ratings (crash and range/fuel-economy context).
Final recommendation
- Treat these models with caution. If reliability, repair costs, resale value, or daily practicality matter, prioritize the competitors mentioned (e.g., Chevrolet Silverado instead of GMC Sierra; Ford F‑150 Lightning instead of Rivian where applicable; BMW/Audi for luxury SUVs).
- If you already own one of these: budget for higher maintenance, monitor recall notices closely, consider extended warranties, and obtain pre‑purchase inspections when buying used.
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Product Review
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