"You May Spend So Much Repairing These Cars That You Could Have Bought a Newer Model" - Used Cars to Avoid Warns Consumer Reports

Looking to buy a new used car this summer?

While the demand for used cars is still high, it beats paying the excessive prices we see today for new cars—especially with this new car problem shoppers are warned is approaching.

However, the caveat to buying used is that it pays off to know which models to avoid based on a risk assessment of models identified as being more prone to have engine, transmission, cooling system, rust issues, and other problem areas that can take a big bite out of the money you saved by choosing a used over a new model.

"...an unreliable used car—no matter how low it may be priced—is never a good value. If you aren’t careful with your research, you can end up with a used car, minivan, pickup truck, or SUV that ends up costing you more money in repairs than you paid for it. In fact, you may spend so much on repairs that you could have bought a newer model with more features, fewer miles, and in better condition," stated automotive experts in a recent Consumer Reports newsletter.

Used Cars to Avoid Buying

That said, here’s a summary of a list of 60 models of used cars  that CR analysts found that stood out as possessing below-average reliability that you would be better off avoiding altogether for other used models with a better reliability history behind them.

Related article: 10 Cheap Cars Recommended by Consumer Reports

The Makes, Models, Year(s) to Avoid

AUDI

Audi A3: 2018

Audi A6: 2019

Audi Q3: 2016, 2022

Audi E-Tron: 2019

Buick

Buick Encore: 2015, 2017

Buick Encore: GX 2020

Cadillac

Cadillac XT4: 2019

Chevrolet

Chevrolet Blazer: 2023

Chevrolet Bolt: 2019-2022

Chevrolet Cruze: 2014

Chevrolet Malibu: 2014

Chevrolet Suburban: 2021, 2023

Chevrolet Tahoe: 2016-2017, 2021

Chevrolet Traverse:  2018

Chrysler

Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid:  2018, 2021-2022

Chrysler Town & Country: 2016

Dodge

Dodge Grand Caravan : 2016, 2018

Ford

Ford Escape: 2021

Ford Escape Hybrid: 2020

Ford Expedition: 2017-2019

Ford Explorer: 2016, 2020

Ford F-150 Hybrid: 2021-2022

Ford F-250: 2019, 2021

Ford Mustang: 2020

GMC

GMC Acadia: 2018

GMC Yukon: 2016-2017, 2021

GMC Yukon XL: 2021, 2023

Hyundai

Hyundai Ioniq: 2020

Hyundai Ioniq 5: 2022

Hyundai Kona Electric: 2019

Hyundai Santa Fe Sport: 2014

Hyundai Sonata: 2017-2018

Hyundai Tucson: 2016-2017

Jeep

Jeep Cherokee: 2014

Jeep Gladiator: 2020

Jeep Grand Cherokee L: 2021

Jeep Wrangler: 2018, 2020-2021

Kia

Kia Niro: 2019

Kia Soul: 2021

Mazda

Mazda CX-9: 2023

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz C-Class: 2018

Mini Cooper

Mini Cooper: 2018

Nissan

Nissan Frontier: 2023

Nissan Pathfinder: 2023

Nissan Rogue: 2022

Ram

Ram 2500: 2017, 2022

Rivian

Rivian R1T: 2022

Tesla

Tesla Model S: 2019-2021

Tesla Model X: 2018, 2022

Volkswagen

Volkswagen Atlas: 2021

Volkswagen: ID.4: 2021, 2023

Volkswagen Jetta: 2014, 2021

Volkswagen Taos: 2022

Volkswagen Tiguan: 2018

Volvo

Volvo S60: 2015, 2022

Volvo V60: 2015, 2020

Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid: 2022-2023

Volvo XC90: 2016, 2019

For more CR-related car shopping help, here are three useful articles with car shopping advice for consumers:

• Best Deals on Fuel-Efficient Cars and SUVs
• Avoid These Electric Vehicles Warns Consumer Reports
• The Most Fuel-Efficient Cars Today

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites  and Facebook for daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.

COMING UP NEXT: "Top Used Car Models from Honda, Subaru, Toyota, and Others for All budgets" - 56 Best Used SUVs, Sedans, and Small Cars of 2024