I’m a Car Expert: 7 Used Cars With the Most Common Issues That Could Cost You
Written by
Daisy Carrington
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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Auto manufacturers may have gotten a reprieve from President Donald Trump’s planned tariffs, but that doesn’t mean they might not go into effect this year. If they do, new car prices could surge $12,000 per vehicle, according to Bloomberg.
Buying a used car might make more economic sense right now. That being said, not all used cars are the same. Some drive like a dream, while others have a reputation for breaking down, which could end up costing you a lot of money in the long run.
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Alex Black, seasoned automotive specialist and chief marketing officer of EpicVIN, knows a thing or two about costly repairs. “I’ve been in the car business for years, dealing with auctions, dealer and vehicle history reports. I know firsthand which used cars are going to have expensive repairs,” he said.
Below are the used cars he said are best avoided.
Also see the 10 best times of year to buy a used car.
BMW 5 Series (2012-2017)
Though older models in the BMW 5 series are still a dream to drive, they have a poor reputation when it comes to maintenance. According to CarEdge, maintenance and repairs are likely to cost over $4,000 more than your average car over 10 years.
“The older Series 5 are plagued with timing chain issues and oil leaks, which can cost thousands to fix,” Black said, adding that electric issues are also frequent.
Jeep Grand Cherokee (2011-2015)
The older Jeep Grand Cherokees are not known for their reliability, according to Black. He explained that electrical gremlins, air suspension faults and gearbox issues make the 2011-2015 models “a risk.” For anyone considering buying one, Black said to look for models that haven’t been driven much.
“I would definitely avoid the higher-mileage models,” he said.
Ford Focus and Fiesta (2012-2016)
The PowerShift dual-clutch transmission for these cars has been so unreliable — resulting in jerky shifting and premature failure — that they resulted in a class-action lawsuit, according to Car and Driver.
“These cars are infamous, and they’re a money pit,” Black said. In other words, they’re best avoided.
Nissan Altima (2013-2018)
While some hail the Nissan Altima for its power and fuel efficiency, Black said the CVT transmissions in the older models are like a ticking time bomb.
“They tend to fail prematurely, and replacing one is costly,” he said, adding that the price of a new transmission can easily be over $3,000.
Chevy Equinox (2010-2017)
Due to a design flaw in the 2.4-liter engine, older models of the Chevy Equinox “burn oil like crazy,” according to Black. While the excessive oil consumption comes with its own high costs, it can also lead to engine failure, he said.
Dodge Ram 1500 (2013-2018)
The Dodge Ram 1500 trucks from this era used a 5.7-liter Hemi engine with a design flaw that led to problems with the camshaft and lifters. The result was a ticking sound, known as the “Hemi tick” and usually signaled the need for a costly repair.
“If it starts ticking, you’re looking at a big bill,” Black said.
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