Try our newest merchandise
You already know that magical second when your odometer rolls over to 100,000 miles? For some vehicles, it’s like watching a grenade with the pin pulled. At some point you’re cruising alongside pondering you’ve obtained a dependable experience, the subsequent day you’re googling “ promote kidney legally” as a result of your transmission simply quoted you $4,000 for a rebuild.
We’ve all been there — seduced by leather-based seats, impressed by the turbo whistle, or fooled by that premium badge. However physics and poor engineering don’t care about your emotions. Some vehicles are engineered to final; others are apparently engineered to make mechanics rich.
Let’s take a more in-depth take a look at the vehicles that suppose an odometer turning over means they need to flip over as effectively.
When Longevity Is Only a Suggestion
This isn’t simply indignant proprietor discussion board posts (although these helped). We dove deep into Client Experiences reliability information and NHTSA criticism databases so we may see if their ranting was really backed up (or in the event that they have been simply jerkwads).
We targeted on the big-ticket failures — those that make you query your life decisions whereas standing in a service bay. Transmission replacements averaging $3,500? Examine. Engine timing chain failures that’ll price greater than your automotive is price? Double test. Digital gremlins that multiply sooner than your regrets? Triple test. We additionally factored in how these failures evaluate to phase opponents, as a result of distress loves firm, however some distress is simply inexcusable.
In different phrases, when you’re in search of vehicles that received’t stubbornly pout on the facet of the highway on the mere suggestion of a highway journey, these are the vehicles to swipe left on.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Ah, the Grand Cherokee — as a result of nothing says “journey prepared” like maintaining your mechanic’s youngsters in faculty. This factor will climb mountains, ford streams, and drain your checking account with equal enthusiasm. The three.6L Pentastar V6 likes to eat rocker arms like they’re path combine, whereas the 5.7L HEMI develops a regarding urge for food for lifters that’ll price you $2,500 to fulfill.
However wait, there’s extra! The ZF 8-speed computerized transmission — you already know, the one which’s supposedly “world-class” — has a peculiar behavior of forgetting shift correctly proper round 90,000 miles. Chrysler’s resolution? “Have you ever tried turning it off and again on once more?” Spoiler alert: that doesn’t work on a $3,200 transmission rebuild.
{The electrical} system deserves particular point out for its creativity to find new methods to fail. Energy liftgate? Extra like power-when-it-feels-like-it gate. The TIPM (Completely Built-in Energy Module) is about as built-in as a drunk marriage ceremony crasher, randomly killing every part from gas pumps to headlights. Alternative price? A cool $1,200, as a result of apparently integrating energy requires premium pricing.
“My ’17, which is the one one I purchased new, has been within the dealership a number of instances, just about yearly I’ve owned it. I’m on my third radiator, prime finish has been rebuilt, a number of test engine lights, water pump changed, ac condenser changed. They have been by no means in a position to repair my auto-dimming mirrors,” one proprietor lamented on Reddit earlier than including: “I nonetheless adore it.”
The Grand Cherokee WK2 era has extra TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins) than a authorities company. Jeep engineers should receives a commission per downside created.
Mini Cooper
The Mini Cooper — proof that you could attempt desperately to enhance a automotive’s design, however that received’t make it dependable previous 80,000 miles. This little British charmer (inbuilt Austria, however who’s counting?) will steal your coronary heart with its go-kart dealing with after which pickpocket your pockets with its Prince engine’s timing chain points.
Talking of that timing chain — BMW’s engineers confused “lifetime service interval” with “lifetime of monetary ache.” The chain stretches greater than yoga pants on Thanksgiving, and when it lastly snaps, it takes the valves with it. Restore price? Solely $2,500, or roughly what you paid for all the automotive three years in the past.
The Cooper S fashions get further particular remedy with their supercharger techniques that sound unbelievable till they don’t. The supercharger bearings have the longevity of a mayfly, and substitute includes extra labor hours than constructing an precise mayfly. Then there’s the cooling system, designed by somebody who apparently believes water pumps are solutions somewhat than necessities.
In the event you hear rattling from the engine bay, that’s not the Mini’s character displaying: that’s the timing chain doing its demise rattle. Begin saving now.
Chrysler 300
The Chrysler 300: as a result of nothing says “I’ve made questionable life decisions” like a pseudo-Bentley with a transmission that shifts prefer it’s operated by a sloth. This huge sedan promised luxurious at Hyundai costs, and boy, did it ship on that promise. Simply not the luxurious half.
The NAG1 5-speed computerized (sure, NAG — even the engineers knew) has a particular expertise for creating what Chrysler euphemistically calls “harsh shift high quality.” Translation: it bangs into gear more durable than a display screen door in a hurricane. When it lastly offers up fully, you’ll uncover {that a} substitute prices greater than the automotive’s trade-in worth.
The two.7L V6 engine deserves its personal horror film. This aluminum-block marvel likes to eat consumption manifold gaskets and timing chain guides like they’re complementary appetizers. Oil sludge buildup is virtually assured, turning your engine bay into an artwork set up titled “What Occurs When You Lower Prices Too Far.” The three.5L V6 isn’t a lot better: it simply fails extra expensively.
Chevrolet Equinox
The Equinox — GM’s reply to the query “How can we make households hate us?” This crossover promised to haul youngsters and cargo reliably, then proceeded to devour oil sooner than a Formulation 1 automotive. The two.4L 4-cylinder Ecotec engine doesn’t simply burn oil: it virtually chugs it like a frat boy with low cost drinks.
GM’s good “resolution” to extreme oil consumption? A software program replace that reduces engine energy. Sensible! Nothing says buyer satisfaction like making your already-slow crossover even slower. When that doesn’t work (spoiler: it doesn’t), you get to take pleasure in a $3,500 engine rebuild courtesy of failed piston rings that have been apparently designed by somebody who’s by no means heard of metallurgy.
The timing chain system provides one other layer of pleasure, stretching and leaping enamel like an overeager terrier. When it lastly lets go, valves meet pistons in an costly dance that prices greater than most individuals’s annual trip finances. The 6-speed computerized transmission, in the meantime, shudders and lurches its method to an early grave, as a result of why ought to solely the engine have all of the failure enjoyable?
Proprietor’s Handbook Quote: “Examine oil stage regularly.” Translation: “Hope you obtain inventory in Mobil 1.”
Volkswagen Passat
The Passat — the place German precision meets German restore prices. This sedan promised autobahn-bred refinement and delivered complexity that might make a Swiss watch jealous. The two.0T TSI engine is an engineering marvel that marvels at new methods to leak oil from each attainable seal and gasket.
The direct injection system likes to carbon up sooner than a coal plant, requiring walnut shell blasting each 40,000 miles. Sure, walnut shells – as a result of apparently VW engineers have a humorousness about natural cleansing strategies. Value? Solely $600, assuming you could find somebody who shares automotive-grade walnuts.
Timing chain tensioners product of what seems to be recycled chewing gum fail with clockwork precision, taking all the higher engine with them. The DSG dual-clutch transmission is a technological tour de drive that requires $500 service intervals as a result of German precision calls for German upkeep prices.
The Passat has extra digital management modules than the Worldwide House Station. Every one prices roughly the identical to interchange.
Nissan Pathfinder
Why ought to solely Land Rover homeowners endure from costly transmission issues? Nissan’s CVT (Constantly Variable Transmission) know-how is repeatedly variable to find new methods to fail catastrophically. The whining, shuddering, and eventual full failure is as predictable as dawn, simply costlier.
The VQ35DE V6 engine sounds wonderful when it’s operating, which turns into more and more uncommon because the timing chains stretch and the valve covers leak oil onto every part inside a three-foot radius. The radiator and transmission cooler apparently share the identical high quality management requirements as a drunk intern, failing in tandem to create the proper storm of overheating and transmission demise.
When your Pathfinder hits that magic 90,000-mile mark, begin looking for a brand new automotive. Not since you wish to, however as a result of the transmission substitute quote will make you query your religion in Japanese engineering. The CVT guarantee extension to 84,000 miles tells you every part that you must learn about Nissan’s confidence in their very own product.
“100% remorse from me,” one proprietor mentioned when requested in the event that they regretted shopping for the Pathfinder. “I obtained my 2014 again in February and have had nothing however issues with it. It’s been sitting within the driveway more often than not I’ve had it. I obtained like per week of driving out of it and that’s it. I hate it a lot.”
Ford Explorer
The Explorer — Ford’s present to transmission outlets in every single place. This three-row SUV has explored each attainable method to fail spectacularly, beginning with timing chains which have the tensile power of overcooked spaghetti. The three.5L EcoBoost engine’s timing chains don’t simply stretch – they virtually wave white flags in give up round 80,000 miles.
The water pump placement within the EcoBoost engines is a masterclass in make easy repairs costly. Need to substitute a $150 water pump? That’ll be $1,800 in labor as a result of Ford’s engineers apparently imagine accessibility is for weaklings. The intercooler additionally likes to crack, as a result of why ought to turbo reliability be easy?
The 6-speed SelectShift computerized transmission shifts prefer it’s operated by a Magic 8-Ball. “Will it discover second gear?” Reply hazy, attempt once more. When it lastly offers up totally, you’ll uncover {that a} substitute prices greater than the Explorer’s remaining depreciated worth.
Engineering Philosophy: “Why repair it in a single journey when you possibly can repair it in 5?”
Audi A4
This compact sedan delivers distinctive driving dynamics and distinctive restore payments with equal precision, the German luxurious automotive method. The two.0T FSI engine leaks oil from extra locations than a Nineteen Seventies British roadster, beginning with valve cowl gaskets that apparently dissolve in regular working temperatures.
The timing chain system is a murals, particularly, summary artwork that prices $2,500 to understand absolutely. The carbon buildup on direct injection engines requires periodic cleansing that prices greater than most individuals’s month-to-month hire. Need to clear your consumption valves? That’ll be $800, and don’t neglect the $500 carbon cleansing service each 30,000 miles.
Quattro all-wheel drive provides one other layer of complexity and expense. Differential failures, Haldex unit issues, and driveshaft points multiply sooner than your regrets about shopping for German. The MMI infotainment system crashes extra typically than Home windows 95, and substitute prices rival an honest laptop computer.
Service Intervals: “Each time you begin to really feel financially safe.”
Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe — proof that even Korean reliability can go sideways spectacularly. The Theta II engine is Hyundai’s present to scrap yards in every single place, seizing up with the reliability of Outdated Trustworthy, simply extra expensively. Metallic shavings within the oil aren’t a bug: they’re a function! At the very least till your engine turns into an costly paperweight.
The connecting rod bearings fail with such predictability that Hyundai prolonged the guarantee, which is company converse for “we all know this factor’s going to grenade, however perhaps we are able to delay the inevitable.” When it lastly lets go, you’ll hear sounds that might make a demise steel drummer jealous, proper at the beginning goes very, very quiet.
The 6-speed computerized transmission isn’t a lot better, creating a regarding behavior of not partaking correctly in chilly climate. Nothing says “dependable household transport” like questioning in case your automotive will transfer while you put it in drive. {The electrical} system provides its personal particular taste of frustration with random warning lights that illuminate like a Christmas tree having an existential disaster.
“Liked my 2020 SanteFe. Then the turbo on my 2.0-liter blew. $7,000 substitute price. Guarantee coated it, nevertheless it wasn’t a straightforward declare,” an proprietor ranted on Reddit.
BMW 3 Collection
Bavarian engineering ought to include Bavarian restore prices, apparently. This sports activities sedan delivers distinctive dealing with and distinctive service payments with German precision. The cooling system is designed like a Rube Goldberg machine, with plastic elements which have the longevity of a snowball in Phoenix.
Water pumps fail with clockwork precision each 60,000 miles, apparently scheduled by BMW engineers who additionally work part-time for the supplier service division. The electrical water pump in newer fashions prices $800 to interchange, as a result of why ought to cooling be reasonably priced? Radiators, thermostat housings, and enlargement tanks all be part of the failure celebration proper round 80,000 miles.
The N54 twin-turbo engine is a masterpiece of complexity that requires extra upkeep than a neurotic thoroughbred. Excessive-pressure gas pumps, wastegate actuators, and carbon buildup points stack up like unpaid payments. The turbos themselves whistle fantastically till they don’t, at which level you’ll uncover that BMW elements pricing follows luxurious items rules somewhat than automotive ones.
In case your BMW is operating completely… it simply wants $3,000 in preventive upkeep!
Cadillac SRX
This crossover promised Cadillac refinement and delivered timing chain failures that might make a Swiss watchmaker weep. The three.6L V6 engine’s timing chains stretch like yoga instructors, taking all the valvetrain with them after they lastly snap.
The Aisin 6-speed computerized transmission shifts prefer it’s stuffed with molasses in January, when it shifts in any respect. Solenoid failures and valve physique points stack up sooner than medical payments, as a result of why ought to shifting be dependable? The AWD system provides its personal particular complexity, with switch case failures that price greater than most individuals’s emergency funds.
Digital issues multiply like rabbits in spring. The CUE infotainment system crashes extra typically than a young person studying to drive stick. Energy liftgates cease lifting, energy every part stops powering, and the Christmas tree show of warning lights turns into a everlasting dashboard ornament.
Cadillac’s Motto: “Commonplace of the World… in inventive failure modes.”
Making Sensible Decisions Past 100K
Look, each automotive has issues — that’s why mechanics can afford boats. However some vehicles deal with the 100,000-mile mark like their official retirement celebration, whereas others maintain soldiering on just like the Energizer Bunny’s extra dependable cousin. The vehicles on this checklist aren’t essentially horrible when new (effectively, most of them), however they age about as gracefully as milk left in a scorching automotive.
In the event you’re looking for a high-mileage used automotive, keep in mind that a pre-purchase inspection is cheaper than remedy. And when you already personal one among these beauties, effectively, a minimum of you’ve obtained character-building experiences forward of you. Simply bear in mind: each costly restore is simply one other story to inform at events, assuming you possibly can nonetheless afford to go to events. Possibly simply say you’ll carry the chips or napkins and depart the principle programs to the man who owns a Toyota.
The ethical of the story? Generally it’s higher to purchase boring and dependable than thrilling and costly. Your future self and your checking account will thanks while you’re nonetheless driving as an alternative of strolling.
