Deeply-Regrettable Vehicle Purchases
Everyone has a dream car, but not every car is such a dream to drive! In fact, many people seriously regret their choice of vehicle once they own it. Keep reading to discover the cars that drivers always end up regretting deeply.
Volkswagen Taos
The Volkswagen Taos has regularly been voted one of the worst cars by American drivers, so it certainly deserves its place on this list. The Taos is notoriously unreliable, with an extremely faulty dual-clutch transmission and an engine that lags and stalls out.
Jeep Patriot
Jeep built the Patriot to save people money, but actually ended up costing them a lot more! Many drivers get buyer's remorse once they experience the Patriot’s subpar handling, frequent water leaks, and problematic transmission, which is very costly to fix.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
We hate to put such a beauty on this list, but looks aren't everything. Many drivers have made the mistake of buying a C-Class model because they’re so stunning, only to discover issues with the fuel pump, suspension, and brakes that make them a nightmare to drive.
Nissan Juke
We’ll be honest - everything about the Nissan Juke is unexciting. People buy them for their great low price, but still end up disappointed. From the awkward, cramped design to the terrible suspension to the weak steering, it’s a very regrettable car.
Land Rover Discovery
Land Rover has a massive fan club, but the Discovery is one of the brand’s most unfortunate let-downs. It’s a very unreliable car, with faulty electrical systems and issues with panels breaking off the body. Many drivers find it can’t handle too many miles.
Kia Sportage
While there are plenty of great Kias, the Sportage is one that most owners regret buying. The Sportage engine is known for being one of the worst on the market, constantly cutting out and wasting oil. And the materials, while economical, can look quite cheap, too.
Audi A7
If you’ve ever heard somebody complaining about an unreliable Audi, it was probably an A7! This stylish car quickly becomes a headache to maintain, thanks to its high-maintenance electrical system, clunky gearbox, and unreliable acceleration. Dealerships are also slow to repair Audis.
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic can be an easy family car, but would you take the risk? Many previous owners wouldn’t for a second time because if something goes wrong, often with the transmission or brakes, it will cost a lot to fix.
Tesla Model S
Tesla has become notorious for producing problematic cars, but none so bad as the Model S. Prices for this car start at around $86,000, but it’s plagued with bad mechanical and electrical problems, and also has a very weak design. Many owners wish they’d saved their money.
BMW I8
The BMW i8 is a spectacular-looking vehicle, but if you’re going to spend over $100,000, you can’t have buyer’s remorse! Sadly, many find the i8 to be more trouble than it’s worth. Even its most innovative features, like the butterfly doors, often malfunction.
Maserati Levante
The Maserati Levante is a beast on the road, but many drivers still regret buying it. Many people have complained about how cheap the interior parts are for a luxury car, and the engine is also unreliable. The Levante has previously been voted the worst Maserati as a result.
Dacia Spring
The Dacia Spring looks too good to be true, and that's because it is! Unfortunately, this electric car presents some serious safety concerns and even has a one-star rating from Euro NCAP due to its poor performance in crash tests. It also feels quite cheap.
Kia Sorento
Drivers have branded the Sorento one of the worst Kias for many reasons, including their regret. Models from 2004 to 2016 are known to suffer engine issues, and many drivers have also reported problems with seatbelts and airbags. If we were buying now, we’d definitely avoid Sorentos.
Hyundai Sonata
While newer Hyundai Sonata models are quite reliable, drivers haven’t been so lucky in the past. Many older Sonatas were recalled due to fluid leaks in the engine, which could have caused serious fires. Lots of people regretted buying one because of the hassle.
Nissan Leaf
Ask any electric car fan, and they’ll tell you that they dislike the Nissan Leaf. Despite being sold as an easy, affordable EV, most drivers quickly regretted their purchases. The Leaf has a terrible battery that degrades far too quickly, limiting other features and creating excessive repair costs.
Volkswagen Jetta
The Volkswagen Jetta is ranked as one of the top 10 worst new cars, and we can’t say that we disagree. The biggest issues are the engine and transmission, which make the Jetta liable to break down. It’s not a dependable vehicle for long journeys.
Skoda Yeti
On paper, the Skoda Yeti is a good, practical option. But those who have driven one think differently. The Yeti struggles on any non-smooth terrain, making for a rather uncomfortable driving experience. There have also been issues with fuel economy due to environmental concerns.
Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler is an iconic SUV that many adventurous drivers covet, but some people have actually regretted buying one. The Wrangler has a known ‘death wobble’ due to weak suspension, which could be very dangerous, and it’s also prone to leaks.
Triumph TR7
We’re sad to put a classic on this list, but the Triumph TR7 is not the dream car that many think it is. As an older car, it rusts like crazy, and the engine also struggles to keep up today. It’s difficult (and expensive!) to maintain such a car.
Ford Maverick
Despite its awe-inspiring name, the Ford Maverick went down like a lead balloon with many previous owners. They’ve criticized its poor bodywork, limited hauling capacity, and problematic electrical system. For almost $30,000, you can get more for your money.
Infiniti QX50
The Infiniti QX50 is a mixed bag, but we can’t ignore the owners who deeply regret splurging on one. Common complaints include rattling engines that randomly cut out, fuel pumps that don’t work properly, and weak steering. When the QX50 has issues, they’re big and costly.
Lamborghini Gallardo
While we think the Lamborghini Gallardo is stunning, it’s another example of a car that doesn’t perform as well as it looks. Its biggest problem is aging, with worn mechanical parts not being properly updated. The clutch, catalytic converter, and hydraulic system are all often faulty.
Nissan Altima
The Nissan Altima has plenty of disgruntled ex-owners, and for good reason. In the past, multiple lawsuits were filed over the Altima’s slippery, jerky transmission, which was very dangerous, and drivers have since experienced similar issues with the acceleration and braking system.
MG ZS
Whether it’s a petrol engine or an EV, the MG ZS has not given owners an easy ride. Engine stalling is the most prevalent issue, which makes for uncomfortable, unreliable driving, and some models are liable to lose power completely. We expect more from a top SUV.
Vauxhall Corsa
You see so many Vauxhall Corsas on the road, so they must be reliable, right? Wrong! Sadly, this popular car is plagued with issues that can accumulate costs higher than the basic asking price. Owners have mainly criticized the terrible transmission, faulty timing chain, and unreliable handbrake.
Land Rover Range Rover
As popular as they are, Range Rovers are one car that the majority of owners have expressed regret about. They’re known to be extremely unreliable and expensive to repair, which makes maintenance tricky. Even worse, they’re one of the most-stolen cars.
Dodge Journey
Unfortunately, the Dodge Journey hasn’t reached the same beloved status as many other Dodge cars. Many drivers report buying a Journey and then being disappointed by its lack of performance, which is mostly due to sluggish acceleration and persistent engine faults.
Chevrolet Cruze
Any Chevy fan will have heard at least one horror story about the Cruze! It has garnered a reputation for being very unreliable, with owners experiencing transmission failures, leaking fluids, and even smoking engines. Their advice? Choose a different car.
Audi Q5
The Audi Q5 is undeniably beautiful, but many previous owners have regretted buying one because they quickly turn into money pits. Audi parts are expensive, as are general repairs, and the Q5 is prone to needing constant mechanical and electrical maintenance to perform well.
Ford Ecosport
The Ecosport is another beautiful Ford vehicle, but it hasn’t been as well-received as many of its predecessors. It’s actually at the bottom of its automotive class, due to poor fuel efficiency, a cramped, uncomfortable interior, and a delayed, unengaging driving experience.
Tesla Cybertruck
If there’s a vehicle that made an impact, it’s the Tesla Cybertruck! Unfortunately, that influence is largely negative, and most owners regret buying into the hype. The exterior panels are notorious for falling off, acceleration is dodgy, and the innovative electrical system has many bugs.
Mazda CX-9
Though it looks like it has long-term potential, many owners have found themselves needing an abrupt change of vehicle after only a few years. Issues with the transmission, brakes, and safety features make the CX-9 a bad choice and an unfortunate waste of money.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
While we love its stylish design, we can’t justify the Alfa Romeo Stelvio’s price. Many owners wish they’d thought twice, too, after finding out how unreliable the Stelvio can be. It has known faulty engine components and was even once recalled for a faulty fuel system.
MG MG4
You might be shocked to see such an innovative car on this list, but the MG MG4 has been a nightmare for many drivers. The most widely-reported problem is the terrible driver-assistance systems, which cause dangerous lane drifting, but the rest of the software is also very glitchy.
Kia Stinger GT
We couldn’t end the list without mentioning the Kia Stinger GT. It’s a car that we want to love, but we can’t ignore the prevalent owner complaints about it. Certain models have been recalled, but owners of other years have also reported problematic brakes, fuel leaks, and other expensive repairs.
