Used cars to avoid? Chevy, Ford top Consumer Reports’ list

• Some used cars are less reliable than others, based on Consumer Reports’ Annual Auto Surveys from owners
• 20% of the list of 60 model years include hybrid, plug-in, and electric vehicles
• Certain model years of reliable makes can be problematic

A used car can be a great value, but only if it’s reliable. Repair costs for unreliable used vehicles can eat up any potential savings, meaning you might have been better off buying a new (or at least newer) car. That’s the gist of Consumer Reports‘ list of used cars to avoid buying released on Monday.

The list is based on data from the publication’s Annual Auto Surveys, in which owners are asked to report problems with their vehicles. The 60 models included in this list showed a much higher rate of reported problems than average for at least one model year with high reported rates of problems, as opposed to a general make-model. Often times, the first year of a redesigned model can be the most problematic as consumers and their new cars encounter real-world conditions for the first time. 

The brands with the most unreliable models were Chevrolet and Ford, with seven each. Chevy fared much worse than its fellow General Motors brands, in part because it has the broadest lineup of the family. Just three GMC models, two Buicks, and one Cadillac made the list. 

Hyundai was close behind Chevy and Ford, with six models listed, follow by Volkswagen with five. Four models each from Audi, Jeep, and Volvo also made the list. Also represented were Chrysler, Dodge, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Nissan, Ram, Rivian, and Tesla.

The models listed spanned multiple body styles, including sedans, SUVs, and pickup trucks. As the presence of the all-electric Rivian and Tesla brands indicates, some EVs were also judged to be unreliable alongside gasoline models. Electrified models, including hybrids (HEV), plug-in hybrids (PHEV), and full electric cars (BEV), accounted for 20% of the list. Consumer Reports also specifically called out plug-in hybrid versions of the Volvo XC60 (from model years 2022 and 2023) as unreliable.

With used-car prices falling, deals are getting easier to find. But Consumer Reports’ list shows the importance of doing your research, as even vehicles from brands with generally good reputations for reliability can prove troublesome, depending on the model year.

Here’s a look at the used models and model years to avoid

Used Audis to avoid

• 2018 A3 
• 2019 Audi A6
• 2016, 2022 Audi Q3 
• 2019 Audi E-Tron 

Used Buicks and Cadillacs to avoid

Used Chevys to avoid

Used Dodges and Rams to avoid

• 2016, 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan
• 2017, 2022 Ram 2500 

Used Fords to avoid

Used GMCs to avoid

Used Hyundais to avoid

Used Jeeps to avoid

Used Kias to avoid

Used Mazda to avoid

Used Mercedes-Benz to avoid

• 2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Used Nissans to avoid

• 2023 Nissan Frontier
• 2023 Nissan Pathfinder
• 2022 Nissan Rogue 

Used Rivian to avoid

• 2019-2021 Tesla Model S 
• 2018, 2022 Tesla Model X 

Used Volkswagens to avoid