These Car Companies Let Their Most Loyal Customers Down
Let's be honest - no one wants to drive a clunker. Cars that constantly break down, guzzle gas, or just feel unsafe are a major pain. But what are the automakers responsible for these automotive nightmares? Continue reading to discover the car brands that have let their loyal fans down.
Suzuki
The very first worst Japanese car brand we have come up with today is none other than the famous Suzuki. There is no doubt that Suzuki is one of the most popular brands. But don’t get too excited! Suzuki has let their fans down with terrible build quality.
Volkswagen
It may surprise you to see the name Volkswagen on our list, but if you don’t know much about this brand, let us enlighten you. Surprisingly, it has been reported that numerous users are dissatisfied with the brand due to frequent breakdowns and costly repairs.
Nissan
This Japanese-originated company is considered the world’s largest electric manufacturer. And, fair enough, this brand does offer a few of the top-selling cars. But, it is no lie that there are some not-so-appreciated models as well. One of the biggest problems with Nissan is that its cars have awful fuel efficiency.
Dodge
Dodge is the next brand we will be shedding some light on. This company is famous for its stylish sports cars and work trucks. Now, enough for the good points, let’s talk about why we have included this brand in our list of worst car companies. Many have complained about fragile dashboards, low-mileage engines, failing lifters, and so on.
Ford
Ford is renowned for its exceptional infotainment technology and improved fuel economy offerings. Now, back to the topic, no matter how good a brand Ford is, there are still some problems with a few of its models. Consumers have complained about oil leakage, as well as issues with the AC and ventilation. Not ideal for you Floridians out there!
Hyundai
Hyundai produces high-quality cars with features comparable to those of Japanese cars but at a more affordable price. However, nobody is perfect. There are still some significant problems with some models. The main issue that almost everyone faced was engine failure.
Cadillac
Cadillac was once one of the top car brands in terms of reliability and driving experience. However, gone are the days when Cadillac was among everyone’s favorites. Some models prove that the quality Cadillac used to offer back then is nowhere to be found. Consumers are frustrated due to the numerous problems they encounter with these cars.
Subaru
The models produced by this maker are pretty well-known for their exceptional combination of boxer engines and all-wheel drive. However, with time, its reliability has dropped. Almost every model of Subaru is reportedly prone to gasket problems. Suggestion for Subaru - perhaps you need to change your gasket engineering?
Chevrolet
From beefy trucks to subcompact cars, Chevrolet has it all to offer. However, Chevy cars are also infamous for mechanical issues, malfunctioning electric systems, and EVAP problems. These issues have let Chevy enthusiasts down massively.
Chrysler
Chrysler was founded in 1925, which makes it one of the oldest car manufacturers. It is one of the “Three Big” automobile companies in the US. This brand is famous for its well-engineered cars. However, if it’s on this list, it’s because there’s a good reason for it. Chrysler owners complained about their cars stalling suddenly while driving.
Jeep
Jeep is one of the brands with the longest history and has had a significant impact on the automotive industry. It is known for its unique and rugged car designs. However, despite its popularity, there have been numerous complaints about integrated electronics.
Mini
Seeing this brand here might be a little shocking for you, as it has an excellent reputation. But some people say otherwise. There are many concerns about the poor build quality, as well as squeaking sounds in winter, which are comparatively quiet during the summer.
Land Rover
Land Rover has been noted to have a very high number of issues. Most people complained that these cars were the least reliable for the price they paid. At the same time, there were also some issues related to the failure of the air suspension systems.
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo has a long-standing reputation for producing fabulous-looking and great-to-drive cars that are the envy of most other brands - but its age-old record for producing unreliable models is not something they covet. This brand proves that looks aren’t everything.
Vauxhall
Given how many complaints there are about the Vauxhall Corsa and Vauxhall Mokka, it's not a surprise to find Vauxhall on this list. These cars have a well-deserved reputation for lasting just a couple of months (when bought new) before requiring bank-breaking repairs.
Mercedes
Mercedes has had a poor showing in terms of dependability, particularly with the previous-generation Mercedes C-Class. For a historic brand like Mercedes, with a reputation not that long ago for thoroughly over-engineering its cars, any low scores for reliability are especially disappointing.
Peugeot
Peugeot fails to hit the mark when it comes to reliability, with the French brand causing lots of stress (and empty pockets) for its consumers. Many complaints pertain to the Peugeot 2008 compact SUV and its larger sibling, the previous-generation Peugeot 3008, with concerns about general build quality and the cost of addressing these issues.
Fiat
While Fiat has improved the quality of its vehicles in recent years, that step in the right direction doesn't exactly feel like a reason to celebrate the Italian marque. Fiat fans continue to complain about the combustion-engined Fiat 500, which tends to drain its electrical system even when it’s not running.
Citroen
Interestingly, no individual Citroën model performs terribly; it's more that most of its models fall below the average expectation of dependability among its fans - they're particularly peeved with the cost of fixing the variety of reliability woes.
Renault
Renault’s latest cars appear to be a step up in quality, and the brand has made significant improvements to existing models, such as the Renault Clio and the popular Renault Captur. But we can’t forget the past. Renault is renowned for the likelihood of their older cars having a high breakdown rate.
Audi
Audi - where to begin? Fans claim that transmissions fail, wishbones tend to bend, plastics deteriorate if not properly maintained, rims are weak and prone to cracking, and all of these issues occur within the first 100,000 km. Not to make things worse, but parts are especially pricey.
GMC
GMC is one of those lesser-known brands that may surprise you with their cars. But keep in mind the key word there, “may”. In all fairness, GMC fans appreciate the longevity of the vehicles but not the headache that comes with constant repair invoices.
Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi was once a small brand with just a couple of models but then came the Eclipse. This car boosted the brand’s popularity and formed a loyal following of Mitsubishi enthusiasts. However, in an unexpected turn of events, the brand released an SUV that could never compare to the Eclipse, leaving fans sorely disappointed.
Tata
Ford had the GT, and Fiat had the Coupé, but Tata is famous for nothing. Sure, they are cheap, but there’s a reason for it. These cars are infamous for their tendency to have the engine cut off mid-drive. Not a great quality for a car to have.
Tesla
Tesla was one of the most anticipated car brands among the public, and at first, all seemed great! However, Tesla consumers soon discovered that the quality of the interior is cheap and (quite literally) peels off.
Maserati
Maserati ticks the box for cars that look cool, but if you see someone driving one, you know they won't still be driving it next year. Fans of this brand have been let down by the overpriced price tag for such an underpowered vehicle.
Lincoln
Since the Lincoln Aviator was produced, it has had more than its fair share of problems. Some of the most common complaints cover nearly every section of the vehicle, including the in-car electronics, the drive system, the suspension, the steering system, the electrical system, paint, and trim. That’s quite the list!
Buick
Buick has been a brand throughout the years that has never truly been in the limelight, but it has persevered with some great cars, such as the Buick Regal and Park Avenue. They have all been reliable cars, but as the world has moved into the new age of technology, numerous Buick models have been struggling to keep up with fans’ expectations.
Genesis
In 2003, Hyundai and Kia decided it was time for them to enter the luxury market. Since then, Genesis has done very well for itself, establishing a strong presence in the luxury market. But, like every other carmaker in the world, they have some cons, such as low fuel efficiency.
Volvo
It may surprise you to find Volvo on this list, as the company has always been known for producing safe vehicles. But safe does not translate into good. Volvo fans have commented on the low interior quality and repairs that cost an arm and leg.
RAM
RAM trucks have made significant leaps forward in quality, ride comfort, features, capabilities, and overall performance over the last decade. However, according to reports, buyers may encounter reliability issues in their pickups, particularly with the suspension.
Rivian
Next up is Rivian, a fledgling company that needs to make a good impression on the market to succeed. Clearly, to be on this list, fans aren’t happy with the brand’s reliability. However, to be fair to the EV maker, it’s new and currently has only two models on the market.
BMW
BMW has gained many loyal fans over the years due to its cars being affordable while still looking luxurious. But as we’ve learned, looks aren’t everything. The main issues consumers face are frequent engine sputters and cut-outs.
Mazda
Would you like a mid-size, affordable, stylish, and reliable car? Sounds like a dream, right? Mazda fans think so, too until they take their car to the mechanic for its first service and discover the outrageously high cost of parts.
Kia
A Kia is the perfect first car. Most of the brand’s models are small, attractive, and affordable. But you get what you pay for. Even the higher-end Kia cars have issues with their electrical systems, which can be a significant challenge to repair.