Honda Pilot
In 2016, Honda released the third-generation version of its classic Pilot SUV. It was built for families and those who needed powerful, spacious vehicles, but its transmission failures and fuel system defects meant many drivers sank a lot of cash into repairs. It definitely dented Honda’s dependable reputation.
Dacia Duster
The first-gen Dacia Duster was known for its various mechanical faults, and the second-gen model, released in 2017, inherited many of them. It had some bad clutch problems that made it difficult to drive, and the beautifully rugged bodywork was prone to rust.
Range Rover Velar
Released in 2017, the futuristic Range Rover Velar was a dazzling new SUV that brand enthusiasts were eager to try out. Unfortunately for them, it was prone to a whole host of electrical gremlins, as well as expensive suspension repairs, which undermined its luxury build.
Mazda CX-60
When Mazda’s CX-60 hit the plug-in hybrid market in 2022, it was the hottest new SUV, but that quickly changed. Owners complained about charging issues, jerky gear shifts, and malfunctioning driver-assist tech, and many also had frustrating experiences getting help from dealerships.
Nissan X-Trail
The 2014 Nissan X-Trail promised family-friendly practicality, but didn’t quite deliver. Its CVT transmission was massively unreliable, and the brakes often wore out prematurely. Even with various mechanical and electrical upgrades, the successive X-Trails also gave drivers some costly headaches.
Ford Kuga
The diesel Ford Kuga persevered for almost a decade before being discontinued in 2021, and it was a nightmare for most owners. From the turbocharger and fuel injectors to the diesel particulate filter, engine components were leaky, late, and often lost power entirely.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
We’ll give it to the Alfa Romeo Stelvio: it’s one of the most attractive SUVs on the market. But even that gorgeous Italian styling couldn’t cover up its reliability concerns, which span from electrical glitches to gearbox malfunctions. As a result, it lacks longevity.
Suzuki Vitara
The 2015 Suzuki Vitara introduced some fresh modern styling to the brand, but it struggled in other areas. Owners reported engine sensor faults, malfunctioning transmission, and electrical issues, and the Vitara’s lacking build quality also meant frequent visits to the repair shop.
Audi Q5
First released in 2008, then refreshed in 2017, the Audi Q5 faced persistent reliability concerns. The engine was prone to oil leaks and water pump failures, as well as malfunctioning electronics and fragile infotainment systems that resulted in costly repair bills.
Volkswagen Tiguan
The Volkswagen Tiguan hit the market for the second time in 2016. Despite strong sales, many owners found it unreliable, particularly the DSG gearbox, which often got stuck in gear and struggled to shift. Volkswagens are usually made to last, so this SUV was especially disappointing.
Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage made decent sales in 2010, but its 2016 facelift made it one of the most recognizable SUVs on the market, albeit in a negative light. Issues included hesitant transmission, electrical gremlins, and even total engine failures. Even with Kia’s extended warranties, these problems undermined the Sportage’s reliability.
Nissan Juke
The 2019 Nissan Juke took the original design to the next level, but it didn’t fix its famous mechanical issues! The CVT-equipped models were plagued with transmission failures, and it had similarly disappointing electrical systems. It’s currently known as one of Nissan’s least reliable SUVs.
Hyundai Tucson
After a major overhaul in 2015, the Hyundai Tucson was poised for success, but it soon revealed itself to be highly unreliable. The DCT transmission was juddery, impacting the driving experience, and the engine was prone to oil leaks. Its mechanical fragility hurt its long-term reputation.
BMW X5
A late ‘90s classic, the BMW X5 was refreshed in 2018 and met with some pretty harsh criticism. Though the modern version was more reliable, it still had very fragile air suspension, plus technological glitches that weren’t what you’d expect for its high price.
Mercedes C-Class GLC
Released in 2015 as the Mercedes GLC, this C-Class SUV struggled to meet expectations, even with premium branding. Complaints ranged from electrical glitches and jerky transmission to more expensive suspension issues. It definitely undermined Mercedes’ reputation for quality and durability.
Jaguar E-Pace
The Jaguar E-Pace has been the subject of criticism since its 2017 release. Many of the tech features were faulty, including the sensors and infotainment system, and lots of drivers also found it jerky to drive. In many cases, it was more frustrating than enjoyable to own.
Volvo XC60
The Volvo XC60 is another SUV that received a major redesign but failed to prove its reliability. Owners reported various electrical issues, particularly with the driver-assist features, as well as problematic braking and power steering. It was even voted one of the least reliable cars in 2023.
Land Rover Discovery
We’ve all heard some Land Rover horror stories, and the Discovery routinely tops unreliability lists. Despite its long history, the fifth-gen model was notoriously faulty, with dodgy air suspension and diesel engines that often completely broke down, requiring expensive repairs.
Audi Q7
In 2015, the Audi Q7 received a design refresh, but its gorgeous new bodywork was hiding a myriad of issues. The timing chain was notoriously unreliable, as was the air suspension. Its luxury status meant owners paid a lot up front, then had to shell out more for frequent repairs.
Ford Explorer
Ever since its initial release in 2011, the Ford Explorer has been at the center of driver concerns, and its 2020 refresh did little to reduce them. It had the same dodgy transmission and engine faults that made the original so unreliable, and even pricier repairs.
Buick Enclave
The Buick Enclave has been notoriously unreliable for almost two decades, but many owners have become more vocal since the 2018 refresh. One of the main issues was the faulty timing chain, which cost a lot to repair and cast doubt over the Enclave’s long-term dependability.
Chevrolet Traverse
Speaking of SUVs that were redesigned in 2018, the Chevrolet Traverse was also disappointing. It looked great, but its engine, transmission, and steering were all weak and problematic, so it never became the family-friendly, practical vehicle it should have been.
GMC Acadia
The 2017 GMC Acadia definitely looked the part, but it didn’t provide the utilitarian ruggedness you’d expect from such a massive SUV. From frequent transmission failures to stalling engines, the Acadia continuously ranks as one of the brand’s least reliable SUVs ever.
Hyundai Santa Fe
People have loved the Hyundai Santa Fe ever since 2000, but its reputation has taken a nosedive in the past decade. The 2018 model, in particular, was prone to engine failures, with many caused by faulty fuel systems. Even with its popularity, the Santa Fe is now recognized as unreliable.
Nissan Murano
2015 was a big year for Nissan with the major overhaul of the Murano, but it sadly missed the mark. What should have been an easy upgrade resulted in an SUV with a terrible CVT transmission that could cost thousands to repair. Needless to say, the owners weren’t happy!
Ram 1500
Though it was mainly a pickup truck, the 2019 Ram 1500 was more of a crossover SUV, with luxury bodywork and great workhorse potential. But there was one problem: the engine often failed before it could be put to work, frustrating drivers and increasing the demand for further refinement.
Jeep Wrangler JL
Yes, you read that right! We had to put the 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL on this list because, unlike many of its predecessors, it garnered so much criticism for unreliability. The engines were often faulty or leaky, and some drivers even reported dangerous “death wobble” steering.
Range Rover Sport
Similar to the Velar, the Range Rover Sport has gained a reputation for being unreliable. Several models, including the 2017 one, had serious problems, including air suspension failures, engine leaks, and total electrical breakdowns. Even with regular refinement, Range Rover can’t shake these complaints.
Ford Edge
In 2019, Ford gave the Edge a decent facelift, but neglected any meaningful mechanical upgrades. As a result, this family SUV was difficult to drive due to transmission failures, and some models also had concerning brake defects that put people off buying them.
Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento was redone in 2015 and 2020, but it also struggled to shake its long-term reputation for reliability. From big issues, like engine or transmission failures, to smaller concerns, like dodgy sensors, the modern Sorento failed to redeem itself.
Chevrolet Equinox
It’s a popular crossover that has stood the test of time, but the latest Chevy Equinox is plagued with issues that cost a lot of money to fix. The timing chain is known to fail, and the engine guzzles down fuel in no time! It’s a risky long-term purchase.
Honda CR-V
You probably know the ‘90s CR-V well, but this Honda oldie was majorly redesigned in 2017. Unfortunately, this model introduced oil dilution issues and modern tech that glitched and cut out. It was a good-looking, practical SUV that was stained by frequent reliability concerns.
Volkswagen Atlas
Finally, we have the 2017 Volkswagen Atlas, which has been struggling to prove its durability ever since its release. Owners regularly complain of faulty transmissions and stalling engines, as well as inferior build quality. All in all, the Atlas remains one of the least-reliable modern SUVs.
Vauxhall Mokka-E
Launched in 2020, the Vauxhall Mokka-e is an example of how unreliable early all-electric SUVs could be. The batteries were so inconsistent that many drivers struggled to charge them, and the software regularly glitched, too. Due to bad experiences, the Mokka-e still hasn’t regained its reputation.
Skoda Karoq
The 2017 Skoda Karoq was a highly-practical SUV, but many people hesitated to buy it after hearing about its various faults. Common complaints included faulty DSG gearboxes and premature clutch wear, both of which compromised the car’s transmission. It was the perfect family SUV, but fell short.
