Let’s face it, folks. There’s nothing more terrifying to a potential car owner than spending their hard-earned money on an SUV that’s been abused, neglected, or highly flawed. It gets worse when you buy a car straight from the dealership and later discover it’s one of the bad ones.
Don’t be too harsh on yourself if this was once your story. It’s happened to the best of us, and it’s due to this reason it pays to do some research — especially when tens of thousands of dollars of your savings are on the line.
If you stumbled on this post, you are halfway saving yourself countless trips to your local mechanic and a couple of thousands of dollars of endless repairs. The following are 23 SUVs that need extreme caution before purchase. Our choices for listing these examples are guided by previous owner reviews and by buyer advocates like Consumer Reports.
2023 Dodge Hornet
I’ll be honest. The first time the Dodge Hornet was launched, it felt like someone finally understood what the market needed — a European-grade SUV at half the price. And as expected, it took America by storm thanks to all the fuss around SUVs lately.
Well, it is not all roses and butterflies at the Hornet Owners Forum. Scrolling through the online repository feels as somber as an AA meeting — but this time for SUV lovers. Dodge Hornet owners are livid, and most members complain of wiring issues. The other half can’t stop sharing the hate they have for Stellantis.
2023 Ford Bronco
The return of the Bronco was big news for American car lovers. It was also a massive win for the big oval, winning the hearts of millennials with an undying love for crossovers and SUVs. However, the 2022 and 2023 models have not had easy sailing.
According to Consumer Reports, the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport has been recalled six times by the NHTSA. The Bronco Sports Forum, on the other hand, is filled with complaints from owners regarding transmission and electrical issues, gas leaks, and Anti-lock braking system (ABS) leakages.
2014 Nissan Rogue
Everyone knows that one of Nissan’s biggest undoings is its CVT transmission, and at the center of it is the 2014 Nissan Rogue. While the second-generation Rogue received a lot of props for having the latest tech and fancy interior, its negatives outweighed the positives.
Some previous owners on forums like Reddit have termed it as the ‘worst’ car they have ever owned, thanks to a failing tranny. Other problems, according to Consumer Reports, include noise and leaks, steering and suspension issues, and exhaust leaks.
2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E
EVs are meant to be stylish, and the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E has attention-grabbing looks. Let’s not forget the obvious bonus of driving an electric vehicle (instantaneous acceleration). Unfortunately, there’s so much more to complain about this stylish electric SUV other than its lack of a V8.
For starters, a battery problem led to a recall that affected more than 48,000 vehicles in the United States. Mach-E club owners have complained of charging system issues, cosmetic dislikes, and problems with the computer. Consumer Reports indicates the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E has issues with brake failure, an anti-lock system, and vibrations.
2022 Volvo XC60
The 2022 Volvo XC60 has many positives. Potential owners will love it for its stylish interior, efficient powertrain, and all the fancy tech that comes standard. It’s also a compact-size version of the much-loved XC90.
Researching about the 2022 Volvo XC60 online will reveal many issues, mainly related to its in-car accessories (the display goes blank) and AAOS (the Automotive Operating System). Consumer Reports confirms that the 2022 Volvo XC60 has had three recalls.
2020 Acura MDX
Some of the highs driving the 2020 Acura MDX include its smooth gliding powertrain. It’s also surprisingly agile, with a ton of tech on the standard package (sweet spot). Still, it lacks the styling of a new-age SUV.
According to Consumer Reports, the 2020 Acura MDX has had five recalls by the NHTSA. Owners have complained of quality issues with the paint and trim, exhaust leaks, and problems with in-car electric accessories. J.D. Powers rated the 2020 Acura MDX at 78/100, sitting issues with poor acceleration and excessive oil consumption
2015 Jeep Cherokee
Not many Jeep fans were excited when the all-new Jeep Cherokee was released in 2014. For most Jeep purists, the fifth generation was soft. Still, the market, hungry for SUVs, embraced them for being comfortable, stylish, and powerful. But over the years, owners have dispelled it for having many issues.
According to Consumer Reports, the 2015 Jeep Cherokee has had eleven recalls, including issues with the exhaust, problems with the in-car electric accessories, and minor oil and fuel leaks. Owners through the Jeep Cherokee Club forum have complained of suspicious smells while driving and an uncomfortable experience behind the wheel, even with very few miles on the odometer.
Nissan Armada
There are a lot of concerns about the Nissan Armada, with most previous owners warning potential buyers to watch out for the 2004 and 2005 models. Some Nissan-specific forums rated the Armada 10th among 30 Nissan models — which is quite worrying.
According to previous owners at the Club Armada forum, potential owners looking for used Nissan Armadas will likely experience issues with the clock spring, brake failure, motor mounts, power steering leaks, and ignition problems. Still, it’s important to note some of these issues are related to maintenance.
Mercedes-Benz GLS
If you have the money to own and maintain a high-end Mercedes-Benz, you'll love the brand for life. The Mercedes-Benz GLS has been praised for its tech-rich cabin, spacious and comfortable interior, and capable powertrain.
On the other hand, the Mercedes-Benz GLS can be a problematic SUV without watchful maintenance. According to Consumer Reports, the 2022 Model has had 10 recalls by the NHTSA.
2023 Jeep Compass
The 2023 Jeep Compass gets a lot of props for its modern tech offerings and all-wheel-drive capability standard. 2023 Jeep Compass owners through the Jeep Compass Forum have complained of several problems, including transmission, electrical, and cluster display issues.
One owner swore never to get the Compass again, citing issues with the tires after only 15k miles. According to this owner, they’d be much better with the older models since the newer Compass is cheaply built and drives terribly.
2023 Chevrolet Tahoe
If you are in the market for an XXL SUV, the 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe makes an excellent choice on paper. Considering its size, it has a roomy third row, great tech features, and an agile powertrain.
However, according to Consumer Reports, the 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe has had 2 recalls by the NHTSA. Some of the issues revolved around the drive system, exhaust, and engine components.
On the Tahoe Forum, several owners have complained of erratic behavior, with instances where the vehicle would prematurely shut off, slide into neutral at a stop, or turn off the headlights and wipers mid-drive.
2023 Jeep Wrangler
If you are in the market for a rugged offroader, the 2023 Jeep Wrangler will certainly get your attention with its striking design. It’s definitely built for the unbeaten path.
However, according to Consumer Reports, the 2023 Jeep Wrangler had 10 recalls by the NHTSA. Some reliability issues revolve around the exhaust, electrical accessories, steering, and suspension.
One owner on the Reddit forum confessed to a troublesome experience with their 2023 Sport S variant. The frustrated owner complained of no-start issues and stated that they spent 15% of their six-month ownership servicing the vehicle.
2013 Nissan Pathfinder
The Nissan Pathfinder is undeniably one of the best mid-sized SUVs, especially for buyers looking to enjoy some off-roading adventure. Thanks to its roomy interior and cargo space, it also makes the perfect family car.
Unfortunately, the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder is a less desirable option, especially in the used car market. Previous owners have complained of numerous mechanical issues. Also, there’s no guarantee the transmission won’t fail.
Buick Encore
The Buick Encore has its fair share of positive attributes, including great maneuverability, a silent cabin, and a smooth driving experience. On the flip side, it is a gas hog and lazy on its heels. Let’s not even mention what’s under the hood — an Eco-tech engine from Chevrolet.
The Buick Encore 2013-2015 model years have the highest number of complaints and recorded a handful of recalls. The most common issues include engine power problems. On the flip side, the later releases of the model have seen massive improvements.
2023 Hyundai Kona
It’s hard for the modern car buyer not to love the 2023 Hyundai Kona’s funky exterior design or its generous list of features (standard). Let’s not forget the extra kick you get from its turbocharged engine. The 2023 Hyundai Kona is undeniably desirable.
Unfortunately, the 2023 Hyundai Kona has been subject to a recall by the NHTSA. Some units of this funky SUV have issues with the electronic controller, which may contain damaged electrical components. Some owners have complained of cylinder issues in units with less than 6,000 miles.
Lincoln MKT
If you can get over its looks, the Lincoln MKT makes a decent 3-row luxury SUV. You’ll enjoy the luxurious interior, with leather seats and a surprisingly silent drive experience. Unfortunately, this model from Blue Oval didn’t sell well from 2010 to 2019.
According to Consumer Reports, the 2015 model had 5 recalls, while the 2019 model had one. Most owners complained that the first model, released in 2010, was the worst. It had issues with air conditioning and premature tire wear. If you plan on getting one of these, don’t expect a good resale value.
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
You’ll have to hand VW designers their flowers for the sleek styling on the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. It also gets funky on the interior with a modern touch enough to woo American buyers. They, however, dropped the ball when it came to its athleticism, limited third-row room, and cargo space.
It doesn’t end there. According to Consumer Reports, the 2013 Tiguan has had 13 recalls. Owners have complained of several issues affecting the engine, throttle body, power steering, and front collision system. Worse, this model is famous for throwing engine codes out of nowhere.
2011 Hyundai Tucson
The 2011 Hyundai Tucson has several perks. It’s roomy for a compact SUV, scored perfectly for safety when it was released, and is torquey and efficient.
According to Consumer Reports, the 2011 Hyundai Tucson has had five recalls. One of the recalls for the 2011 – 2013 model years involved issues with the oil pan that led to leakages that, if ignored, could result in engine damage.
Volkswagen Taos
The Volkswagen Taos was officially released in China in 2018 but first rolled out in the United States in 2020. It’s an ideal compact SUV thanks to its roomy interior, huge trunk space, and frugal fuel consumption.
However, all the good ends there. Previous owners have reported overheating, vibration while driving, and premature brake wear. One owner on the VW Taos forum confessed to regretting ever getting the compact SUV.
The Owner, who’s had the SUV for 10 years, couldn’t solve the squeaky brake issues, noisy drive experience, Check engine light, and poor acceleration.
Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is an impressive family car. It can drop the kids at school, do shopping runs, and still handle the freeway to and from work. Over the summer, it’s built for family vacations.
Still, the Ford Explorer is notorious for complications with the suspension, noisy ride experience, ventilation, and lock issues. Owners on the Explorer platform complained of transmission and fuel system issues on low mileage vehicles, some describing their ownership experience as regrettable.
Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento is a successful release in the United States, debuting in 2003. It’s the perfect family SUV thanks to its three-row seating and a generous array of features standard. It’s also run for four generations.
Previous owners have had issues with the 2004, 2006, 2012, and 2016 model years. Some of the common issues with these model years include electrical, engine, body, seat belt, and airbag problems.
The auto manufacturer recalled some 70,000 units for the 2023 model year (facelift) due to catastrophic transmission issues.
Chevrolet Bolt EUV
If you were in the market for an electric vehicle, the Chevrolet Bolt EUV would have caught your eye because it had a competitive price and great features. Unfortunatley, the EUV only had a two-year run (reintroduced in 2025).
It also had many issues, which led to a recall of more than 9,000 units. One issue was with the charging cords, which potentially increased the risk of electrical shock. Owners have also complained of minor issues with the power regulator, punctured radiator, and axle noises.
Dodge Durango
The Dodge Durango has been around for quite some time — it’s the automaker's longest-running model (which says a lot about its popularity). The mid-sized SUV has earned a reputation in the American auto market as the ‘family hauler.’
Still, despite its acclaim, it’s also one of those problematic vehicles, especially on the used-car market. Previous owners on the Durango forum advised against getting the first-gen 5.2-liter Mangum since it had engine failure issues resulting from low oil pressure. The 5.7 Hemi variants are fronted as a more reliable option.
