# Which new vehicles are the least-reliable?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-new-vehicles-are-the-least-reliable/194755>\
**Category:** General Discussion\
**Created:** [April 19, 2024, 1:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-new-vehicles-are-the-least-reliable/194755 "2024-04-19T13:08:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 1:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-new-vehicles-are-the-least-reliable/194755/1 "2024-04-19T13:08:50Z")

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The worst on this guy’s list–Hyundai/Kia–probably won’t surprise many forum members. Nor would the runners-up for worst–Range Rover and Jaguar F-Pace. But, some of the others on his list might surprise some people. All of this is just one guy’s opinion, but he does seem to have a lot of stats to support his claims.

[![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/8/b/8b87ba8207114e0608b474eef6460a72b35c6caa.jpeg "Least Reliable Cars That Won't Even Last 60,000 Miles || Avoid Buying!") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaCw8ikEfJU)

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**Author:** ![asemaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@asemaster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/asemaster)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 2:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-new-vehicles-are-the-least-reliable/194755/2 "2024-04-19T14:45:06Z")

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Is it a foregone conclusion that reliability is the first thing people look for in a car? What about comfort? Styling? Price? Functionality? Fuel economy?

Would most people sacrifice styling and comfort for reliability and safety?

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**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 2:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-new-vehicles-are-the-least-reliable/194755/3 "2024-04-19T14:49:00Z")

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> [@asemaster](#):
>
> Would most people sacrifice styling and comfort for reliability and safety?

People on a tight budget and or SSA income only would…No extra money for repair bills…  
But comfort does come into play and pricing…

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**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 2:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-new-vehicles-are-the-least-reliable/194755/4 "2024-04-19T14:49:36Z")

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> [@asemaster](#):
>
> Would most people sacrifice styling and comfort for reliability and safety?

I own an ‘08 BWM 650i conv. I know it will become a money pit but I love the car, but as of right now only has 45k on it, and maintenance was kept up. So right now it’s quite reliable, but I know that will change. I do like the styling.

 ![20220419_194207](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/f/1f07d71553183e504e918ca2a60bfc921bf4d19b.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 2:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-new-vehicles-are-the-least-reliable/194755/5 "2024-04-19T14:50:44Z")

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> [@asemaster](#):
>
> Would most people sacrifice styling and comfort for reliability and safety?

No need to do that, plenty of reliable, comfortable, stylish cars out there.

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**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 3:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-new-vehicles-are-the-least-reliable/194755/6 "2024-04-19T15:59:08Z")

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There are some vehicles that may make it in to the unreliable list due to a low cost preventative maintenance that would have prevented the problems. Not saying it is relevant to this video but it’s something to be aware of. For people who refuse to maintain their vehicles, then they need to avoid these.

It could be as simple as ignoring the manufacturer’s excessively high fluid change intervals.

If there is some issue that can be prevented for a small amount of money, then fix that. The 2010 Ford fusion has an issue where the boots that cover the inner tie rods rub though and then water can get in, but you can just rotate them to prevent a hole from rubbing through. It takes 2 minutes to prevent hundreds of dollars of work. Painting the transmission cooler lines with a good paint can prevent them from rusting through later. A small amount of work to prevent a major issue later.

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**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 4:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-new-vehicles-are-the-least-reliable/194755/7 "2024-04-19T16:06:36Z")

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That is a nice ride sir…

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**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 6:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-new-vehicles-are-the-least-reliable/194755/8 "2024-04-19T18:03:11Z")

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I think it depends on the degree of unreliability. Full engine and/or transmission failure would sure be something to avoid. A few hundred dollar repairs vs $10,000 would be an issue.

None of these would really be on my buy list anyway but at one time I thought that jeep renegade would be fun. But the power train, made in Italy, are huge marks against it. On a manufacturers site, the guys said they will be fine for the first 20k but get rid of them after that. My daughter in laws family drives nothing but VWs and will never admit any problems. I just shut up.

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 6:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-new-vehicles-are-the-least-reliable/194755/9 "2024-04-19T18:21:58Z")

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> [@texases](#):
>
> No need to do that, plenty of reliable, comfortable, stylish cars out there.

+1  
Those qualities are not mutually exclusive.

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**Author:** ![ledhed75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@ledhed75](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ledhed75)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 6:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-new-vehicles-are-the-least-reliable/194755/10 "2024-04-19T18:48:01Z")

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This is why there’s a wide range of cars/vehicles out there, with a wide range of prices, features, and other factors. People can decide what they want and/or want to pay for.

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**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 7:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-new-vehicles-are-the-least-reliable/194755/11 "2024-04-19T19:09:56Z")

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I am really disappointed by KIA’s problems . We bought a 2004 KIA Optima new and had it for 10 years and only sold it because we needed a truck . It only needed normal service .

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 7:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-new-vehicles-are-the-least-reliable/194755/12 "2024-04-19T19:17:31Z")

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Similarly, my brother has owned two Hyundais (2012-2014 vintage) and he was very pleased with both of them. The Santa Fe SUV was completely trouble-free for the 8 years that they owned it, and the Azera sedan had just one problem during the time that they owned it.

That problem was a defective engine temp sensor at the time of delivery, but once the sensor was replaced, no further issues. I think that everything went downhill for Hyundai/Kia when they introduced the Theta engine, but the video makes it seem like there were additional issues over and above that engine.

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**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 7:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-new-vehicles-are-the-least-reliable/194755/13 "2024-04-19T19:21:46Z")

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I’m guessing I followed a couple of Theta-engined cars the last couple of weeks, smoking/stinking. Hadn’t seen that in quite a while.

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**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 7:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-new-vehicles-are-the-least-reliable/194755/14 "2024-04-19T19:53:47Z")

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Had a customer that we did almost all his maintenance on his Hyundai Santa Fe and he had over 500,000 miles on it (closer to 600,000 IIRC) with no major issues, we changed the oil and whatever it needed every 4 weeks, he was still driving it when he retired from the IRS, yes he was the only upper management IRS agent I enjoyed talking to, nice guy… lol…

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**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 8:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-new-vehicles-are-the-least-reliable/194755/15 "2024-04-19T20:15:24Z")

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The guy in Utah was very nice and helpful too and saved me $3000. Can’t say the same for the Cincinnati office though and wherever the heck the bad lady was from. That’s close enough to her name without revealing her identity.

Like I said before though when I traded my Buick with 500k on it. The salesman asked how often I changed oil. When I told him 3000 mikes he slapped his knee and said I knew it. Other folks can go ahead saving money with extended oil changes.

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**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 9:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-new-vehicles-are-the-least-reliable/194755/16 "2024-04-19T21:48:32Z")

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IRS employees are just like everyone else. Mostly nice folks just trying to do their job. I find it hard to understand why they get such a bad rap. Some elected officials want to cut the IRS staff dramatically, yet they are the ones that ensure as much revenue is collected as legally allowed. Cutting IRS staff reduces their ability to chase real tax cheats, not guys like us. IMO the congressmen trying to cut the IRS are helping their scofflaw friends that will happily give the money to the congressmen instead of ponying up what they actually owe. Infuriating.

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 9:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-new-vehicles-are-the-least-reliable/194755/17 "2024-04-19T21:59:51Z")

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> [@bing](#):
>
> Other folks can go ahead saving money with extended oil changes … [I’ll change at 3k miles]

If it worked, that seems like a pretty simple & inexpensive method a person could use to turn a reported-to-be unreliable car into a reliable one.

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**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2024, 1:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-new-vehicles-are-the-least-reliable/194755/18 "2024-04-20T01:10:22Z")

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Yeah, if it worked… I suspect an engine worn out from following the carmaker’s recommended oil change intervals is rarely the cause of a car’s demise.

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**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2024, 2:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-new-vehicles-are-the-least-reliable/194755/19 "2024-04-20T02:02:42Z")

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Both of my brother’s cars have a reputation for being unreliable but he’s had them maintained by a trusted specialist shop since brand new, these guys seem to go above the factory intervals and since my brother bought his 06 Legacy Wagon new in the fall of 2006 it’s been a reliable workhorse for the family. With 3 kids they outgrew the legacy but it’s still used for kid hauling and errands. It’s a dual Japanese/European specialist and they won’t buy a car that this shop doesn’t work on or wouldn’t recommend. The Subaru was their suggestion instead of a list of cheap Audi Quattro’s he asked them about.

 ![IMG_20240413_132542](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/d/2/d25fc918a783c6a9340b1fca3a2b006b7cbe1445.jpeg)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2024, 2:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-new-vehicles-are-the-least-reliable/194755/20 "2024-04-20T02:51:35Z")

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Did they retorque the head bolts? OK4550 said that was the key to preventing the common Subaru head gasket failure for that era flat 4.

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