A Costly Mistake
We've all bought things that didn't turn out the way we imagined. Unlike other purchases, these problematic cars will stick around and frustrate you with frequent and costly repairs.
A What-Was-I-Thinking Moment
Owning a car with serious flaws can lead to annoyance and regret. Some models are so bad that people forget why they liked them in the first place. From unreliable transmission to leaks and constant maintenance, these problems remind us that looks aren't everything.
Range Rover
The Range Rover is often considered the top luxury SUV, but its reliability can be a nightmare. Although some owners quickly praise how well it drives off-road and how much they love the cushy interior, others are plagued with constant visits to the garage.
Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The High Cost Of Prestige
Having a luxury SUV feels great until the repair bills start mounting. Range Rover owners complain about engine failures and electrical issues, calling it "a ride that can empty your wallet faster than you can say luxury." But this isn't the only case of something too good to be true.
Jaguar F-Type Has Beauty With Baggage
Thrilling to drive and gorgeous to look at, the Jaguar F-Type has a poor reputation for reliability. Later models improved on this issue, but the problems left their mark on this one. It's a car that makes an elegant statement but perhaps think twice before committing.
Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Love Affair On The Outs
Owning a Jaguar F-Type can be like dating someone out of your league—exciting but risky. True, there is the outstanding experience of driving a Jaguar, but keep in mind that early models were riddled with reliability problems. Is it worth the thrill of owning a Jag?
Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Ford Focus Is Fun To Drive Until It Breaks
The Ford Focus, especially those models with the PowerShift transmission, promises to deliver a fun and peppy drive. But that transmission can turn your fun into an ongoing headache. The car will stutter, slip, and stop suddenly, literally leaving you in the lurch.
Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Transmission Troubles
This same PowerShift transmission has ruined the Focus' chance of being a reliable ride. The frequent repairs often fail to fix the problem, as reported by numerous owners. A Focus with a manual transmission can be a great buy; just stay away from the automatic model.
Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Kia Stinger For Style But Not Substance
The Kia Stinger has a sleek design and sporty handling but falls short when it comes to preserving the brand's reputation. Owners are unhappy because they don't get the level of dealership service that should come part and parcel with a stylish car.
Motor Verso, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Brand Dilemma
Car owners feel that if a vehicle is advertised as a high-performance and stylish ride, they expect staff at the dealership to be attentive and gracious when the car comes in with a problem. Drivers are convinced that the Kia Stinger's "badge" might be its biggest problem.
Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Toyota Supra 2023
Sports car lovers anxiously awaited the Toyota Supra model for 2023, but early owners were sadly disappointed. The model had clutch problems that Toyota refused to cover under the warranty. The word was that the car was more trouble than it was worth, leaving drivers discouraged.
Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Clutch Conundrum
Complaints reported the 2023 Supra's clutch issues to be more than an inconvenience; owners called it a deal-breaker. Imagine being stuck with a sports car that refuses to start on a hot day because of a clutch failure. What good is a car that doesn't work?
Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
BMW E60 M5 Has The Heart Of A V10 Beast
The BMW E60 M5 has a powerful engine that is a dream when it's running. But say the engine is too often particular about when it runs. Having a car with reliability issues can be exhausting on your schedule and draining on your bank account.
Hatsukari715, Wikimedia Commons
Perfection Spoiled By Problems
The E60 M5 has a known issue where the rod bearings wear out relatively quickly, and if they're not replaced, it can lead to catastrophic engine failure. Owners have to replace these bearings as part of their regular maintenance—a big disappointment for a car of this caliber.
nakhon100, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Mazda RX8 The Rotary Engine That Couldn't
The Mazda RX8's rotary engine is seen as both a charm and a curse. Although it has outstanding high-revving power, it's also prone to failures and sometimes needs to be rebuilt every 40,000 miles. Could it be that this fun ride just can't go the distance?
FotoSleuth, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Love-Hate Relationship
Some owners of the Mazda RX8 describe the car as "amazing to drive, terrible to maintain." They love the thrill of driving it but hate the rotary engine's need for continuous attention. And no one likes having to lay out serious money on their car time and time again.
crash71100, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Turbo Trouble With Mazda CX-7
It's a brilliant idea to put a turbocharged engine into a sporty crossover, but less awesome when the turbo fails. Mazda CX-7 owners reported having to pay for costly repairs for turbo problems, leaving them severely disappointed in the car's overall quality.
crash71100, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Luxury That Leaks In Audi A4 (2017)
The 2017 Audi A4 lives up to its promise of providing a luxury drive but has terrible problems with leaking fluids. Continuously dealing with missing coolant and replacing transmission fluid is both a hassle and an expense. These cars are too high-maintenance and not worth the trouble.
EurovisionNim, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Looks Aren't Everything For The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
A simply stunning roadster, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio has reliability issues that make you forget its top-notch performance. Owners warn that problems with the rear differential make it a risky purchase. And the faults don't stop there.
Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
An Unreliable Companion
The Giulia Quadrifoglio is pretty much the dream car until problems start popping up. Be ready for anything from electronic glitches to problems with the rear differential. No one needs a car that looks and drives amazing but will leave you stranded on the side of the road.
Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Small Fiat 500 Abarth, Big Problems
A tiny powerhouse with a big personality, the Fiat 500 Abarth is a perfect example of how a car's reputation for unreliability can outweigh its charm. It's not just the frequent oil changes. Even the door handles need to be replaced—something that no one expects to happen in a car.
Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fun Ride with a Flaw
Dealing with constant maintenance repairs can make the fun fade quickly. Whether it's the oil or the door handles, no one wants to give that much attention to their car. You want to be busy having a blast driving around in this high-end go-kart, not fixing it.
Archenok, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The High-Maintenance Subaru STi
The Subaru STi is built as a kind of rally car for the road, which is the reason people love to purchase this model. Sadly, owners find it hard to stay excited about a car that can cause so much frustration and disappointment. The consensus is that this car demands too much patience.
Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fragile Speed Demon
Frequent fuel pump failures and other mechanical problems have Subaru STi owners spending more time off the road than on it. Staying loyal to a car is tough when each day brings a new surprise issue. The fast drive might be thrilling, but the maintenance is far from fun.
FotoSleuth, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Maserati Quattroporte Is A Messy Mirage
An iconic Italian luxury car, the Maserati Quattroporte is beauty in motion—when it's moving. The car's reliability issues make it better to gaze at than to drive in. Owners complain they never know when it will break down.
Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Italian Tease
This is another car with reliability issues. The Maserati Quattroporte is an alluring mix of luxury and performance. But then, problems started popping up with its F1 transmission, which made the car lose some of its shine. It seduces owners with its looks and then leaves them regretting their decision.
Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Maserati Ghibli Turns Into A Beautiful Burden
Another Maserati, the Ghibli, is a gorgeous Italian model that will drain your bank account on maintenance costs. The combination of poor-quality build and expensive repair costs has led to a lot of unhappy owners. This one is a beauty and a burden in upkeep.
Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fast But Flawed Tesla S Plaid
Everyone is talking about Teslas, and the S Plaid is the one with a focus on speed, including instant torque and ultra-fast acceleration. But owners who had a chance to look closer are finding build quality issues like creaking and gaps that detract from the experience.
Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The New Kid On The Block
Tesla's rise to fame has been impressive, but so are its growing pains. Drivers are becoming frustrated with the quality control issues, especially in the early models. There are still minor paint defects and panel gaps that Tesla will have to work out.
Calreyn88, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Volkswagen Jetta Electrical Issues
Anyone looking for a practical sedan will want to check out the Volkswagen Jetta. It's a popular choice but has too many electrical issues. The infotainment system and other electronics have bugs that can make you crazy when you need them on a long drive.
Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Headache In Hiding
The Jetta was supposed to be Volkswagen's reliable, affordable sedan, but electrical glitches and other quality issues make it a headache for many owners. This is a car that promises dependable German engineering but doesn't deliver the goods.
Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Crummy Chevy Vega Compact
When GM introduced the Chevy Vega in the '70s, it was destined to be the ideal compact car. Sadly, it quickly became known for its engine problems and rust. Although it has a lightweight design, the Vega's build is of such poor quality that many buyers are left feeling ripped off.
wallerdog, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Rusty Reputation
The Chevy Vega's tendency to rust shredded the company's vision of making this everyone's favorite small car. Together with its engine troubles, the Vega became a symbol of everything wrong with the American compacts of that period.
dave_7, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Porsche's Pricey Maintenance
Known for its precision engineering, the Porsche also comes with a hefty price tag—both before and after the purchase. Many owners are disappointed that they have to shell out too much money for maintenance and repairs, especially on older models.
Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Performance with a Price Tag
Porsche has a well-deserved reputation for performance, but maintaining one can be a challenge. Both the cost of parts and the frequent need for service keep owners on their toes. Owning a Porsche delivers thrills that can also empty your pockets.
Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Unbalanced Alfa Romeo 4C
The Alfa Romeo 4C has odd proportions and an underpowered engine, making it a head-turner without the performance you'd expect. Although many potential buyers went after other models after looking at the specs, plenty of Alfa owners got burned.
KoeppiK, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Lightweight Letdown
Initially designed as a lightweight sports car, the Alfa Romeo 4C was supposed to combine agility and style. Drivers are unhappy with its underpowered engine and underwhelming tire setup, which together resulted in a letdown. The car looks fast but doesn't make the grade.
ilikewaffles11, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fiat X1/9 Is Remembered for Rusting
Rust problems have wiped out most of the old Fiat X1/9s. It started off as an affordable mid-engine sports car that looked great on paper, but the rust overshadowed its performance. Despite being fun to drive, this car has some serious body problems.
Alf van Beem, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
A Forgotten Gem
The Fiat X1/9 could have been a classic if it weren't for the rust. It had a mid-engine layout and handled well on the road, but the bodywork couldn't stand up to the rust. It's a car that's rare today, mostly because so many have crumbled.
Lothar Spurzem, CC BY-SA 2.0 DE, Wikimedia Commons
Revs Without Reliability In The Fiat 124 Spider
The Fiat 124 Spider was built as a throwback to the classic roadster but has its share of problems. Owners complain about problems with the turbocharger and electronics and that means frequent trips back to the dealer.
Autoweek USA, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Small Car With Big Problems
The Spider's nostalgic design and sharp handling definitely have charm, but when a car isn't reliable, no amount of charm can fix it. Aside from complaints about the turbocharger, owners feel the build quality is not up to scratch. It looks great, but the ride can be bumpy.
Charles01, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Nissan Pathfinder Is The Recall King
You know something's wrong when a car model becomes famous for its number of recalls. The Nissan Pathfinder has had more than its fair share, mostly for transmission issues. Owners really hate having to deal with jumpy shifts and sudden power losses.
Kazyakuruma, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Going Off The Path
The Nissan Pathfinder is ideal for rugged journeys, but when reliability is a problem, you can be left stranded in the outback. Its reputation for transmission problems and frequent recalls have made the Pathfinder a car that promises off-road rides but might leave you walking the path.
Nissangeniss, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Land Rover Discovery Breakdowns
Discovery owners risk having to look for a tow after a day on off-road trails, thanks to issues with the suspension and electronics. Although it's built for adventure, this Land Rover has become known for its chronic breakdowns. Some vehicles like this are great in theory but not always in practice.
Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
With Volvo XC90, You'll Be Safe But Sorry
Known widely for its safety features, the Volvo XC90 is also becoming recognized for its lack of reliability. After dealing with too many transmission and electronics problems, some owners are regretting their purchase. It's another in the long list of cars that might keep you safe but will leave you sorry.
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