Luxury Car Brands That Break Down the Most

You might be surprised to see Porsche on this list, but long-term performance doesn’t always equal reliability. While certain models, like the iconic 911, are solid, others are infamous for engine failures, coolant leaks, and other annoyingly-expensive quirks that leave drivers stranded.

Porsche’s high-strung engines are designed for speed and precision, so they don’t tolerate any issue, or even just normal wear, very well. When they break down, the repairs often require specialized parts and labor, both of which drive costs through the roof. Porsche ownership can be wonderful and rewarding, but if the engine fails, your wallet will feel it.

Audis look sharp, drive great, and have cutting-edge appeal that’s kept them at the top of the luxury market for decades. But there’s one thing about them that’s not so cool: their liability to break down. A big part of the brand’s reputation comes from overly complex electronics and problematic turbocharged engines.

Even small sensor failures can trigger big problems, and the repairs are far from cheap! Older Audis, in particular, guzzle engine oil and suffer transmission headaches, causing big problems for owners. The brand may do tech and style very well, but its cars aren’t the most reliable.

Even if you’ve never owned a Land Rover, you’ll almost certainly have heard about how often they break down. They’re gorgeous SUVs that seem to spend more time in the repair shop than out on the roads, usually due to air suspension or engine faults. And watch out for when those warranties expire!

The irony is that vehicles built for rugged off-road adventures often struggle with daily commutes, and Land Rovers are a classic example. Add in expensive parts and the cost of labor, and Land Rover’s breakdown reputation becomes hard to ignore. You’ll feel great driving one, but don’t expect drama-free ownership.

Jaguar’s long-standing reputation for style and performance has made it a legend among luxury cars, but it hasn’t quite solved its major mechanical issues. Owners pay massive prices for beautiful cars, then report electrical failures, cooling system issues, and unreliable transmissions.

Older Jaguars are worse than newer ones, but almost all can be temperamental at times. The brand prioritizes luxury, power, and speed over long-term durability, which can lead to several trips on the back of a breakdown truck. When they run well, they’re phenomenal, but keeping a Jaguar running can feel like a full-time job.

If you want raw power, style, and an incredible driving experience, you’ll love owning an Alfa Romeo. But that experience is often hampered by engine and transmission issues that trap your speedometer at zero. Alfa Romeo tends to focus on driving excitement and dynamic design, which is fine, until you experience a breakdown.

Simple things like parts availability and dealership support quickly become frustrating when they happen all the time. People are regularly shocked by how frequently a high-end car can break down. Owning an Alfa Romeo feels like a passionate relationship: thrilling, unpredictable, and occasionally draining.

Bentleys are practically luxury mansions on wheels, with all the tech, power, and interior comforts a person could want. But too much complexity often leads to breakdowns, and you won’t want to find out how much they cost to fix!

The most common Bentley issues include suspension failures, gasket leaks, and problematic cooling systems. Since many Bentleys are driven infrequently to preserve them, age-related issues can also creep in, and repairs require specialized knowledge and parts. Many drivers struggle to accept that luxury at this level comes with serious upkeep demands.

BMW makes some stellar cars, but the brand’s slogan may as well be “incredible to drive, expensive to fix”. These cars are known for breaking down due to cooling system failures, oil leaks, and an overreliance on technological features. Their high-performance engineering makes them extremely unreliable.

Speed and precision are at the heart of every BMW, but that also means parts wear faster and need more frequent maintenance. Once warranties expire, repair bills can quickly pile up, especially for older models. BMW has improved in some areas, but long-term reliability is still a huge issue for drivers.

Mercedes-Benz vehicles ooze comfort and prestige from every luxurious pore, but their reliability has taken a hit over the years. Electrical issues, air suspension failures, and transmission faults are frequent complaints. When they work, they’re amazing to drive, but when they break down, they’re a nightmare.

Maintenance costs are already high, but repair jobs that require dealer visits hike prices up further. Many owners love the experience of driving a sleek Mercedes, only to grow frustrated when small problems snowball into costly breakdowns over time. Less luxurious brands, like Honda and Toyota, are often more reliable.

Lincoln has had some impressive highs, but it’s often called one of the least reliable brands around today. Some Lincolns, like the Aviator, perform well, but others can be problematic due to aging transmission and engine parts, and they’re less reliable with infrequent maintenance.

Breakdowns become a more pressing concern for the brand when mileage starts to climb, and older parts cost more money or can be harder to source. Lincoln is an excellent luxury brand with decent prices, but even small reliability quirks can cause massive headaches along the way.

Cadillac’s modern lineup looks bold and powerful, but a reputation for breakdowns still haunts the brand. From 8-speed transmission shudders to oil-guzzling engines to faulty timing chains, there are plenty of things that can go wrong and leave you stranded on the side of the road.

Cadillac has improved its quality in recent years, yet reliability remains shaky. As features become more advanced, more things can go wrong. They look and feel great to drive, but a small part failure can be the difference between cruising in a Cadillac and getting one towed to a mechanic.

Tesla is probably the most controversial luxury brand on this list, and one of the most notorious for breakdowns! The cars heavily rely on software to keep them running, but glitches and faults are rampant. Tesla batteries are also problematic and cost a lot of money to repair when they stop working.

What’s more, service delays and limited repair centers mean long wait times for drivers to get their Teslas back on the road. The brand certainly excels at innovation, but offers few options when the cars break down. In this case, the luxury cool factor definitely comes at the cost of long-term reliability.

You’ll hear a Maserati before you see it, and any model is sure to turn heads. Unfortunately, they can be just as quick to break down as they are to accelerate! This is due to a combination of complicated electronics, frequent engine misfires, and intensive maintenance needs.

It costs a lot to repair a broken-down Maserati, and don’t get us started on sourcing certain parts! The brand puts precision, style, and performance at the forefront of every design, but that often comes at the cost of durability. Maseratis are true treasures to own, but they can be unpredictable on the road, especially if you don’t know how to treat them.

Mini doesn’t offer the same level of luxury as other premium brands, but the cars are stylish, fun, and surprisingly sporty, given their builds. However, one thing they do have in common with pricier brands is engine failures. Many Minis use BMW components, meaning similarly complex costs and repair jobs.

The older generation of Minis, specifically 2007-2012, are particularly notorious for breaking down due to “death rattle” timing chains, water leaks, and fuel pump failures. There’s a lot to love about these quirky cars, but they’re proof that small cars don’t always circumvent large repair bills.

Genesis is relatively new to the luxury scene, but it’s slowly building a solid reputation as a well-priced brand offering great value. Unfortunately, owners now report mixed experiences in terms of reliability. Some models use problematic 4-cylinder engines, while others struggle without regular intensive maintenance.

All of these early issues often become obvious too late, making the cars more likely to break down while out and about. They provide a great luxury feel for a competitive price, but long-term durability is yet to be proven and put the breakdown chatter to rest.

Infiniti blends luxury with sportiness, but its reputation for reliability has slipped over the years. Transmission problems, especially in models with CVTs, are a major complaint, as are oil leaks and turbocharger failures in V6 and V8 models. Infiniti’s lineup is evolving, but too slowly.

Aging tech and mechanical quirks drag down performance at times, and contribute to breakdowns. Certain models can withstand more than others, but when the issues present themselves, they’re a pain to fix. Infiniti offers a luxury bargain upfront, but repair bills regularly erase those savings over time.