Summer is here, and that’s when you might discover that used car you just bought is a lemon and can’t be made into lemonade without sinking a lot of money into it. Here are 60 of the worst models to avoid buying used warns Consumer Reports.
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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
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