Used cars have been a popular option for drivers needing a fresh set of wheels for decades. That popularity has only intensified since new car production slowed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pre-owned car market is so competitive that shoppers are almost happy with anything they can find. Unfortunately, what may seem like a good deal and a great streak of luck might be a misfortune in disguise.
Not all used cars are a good investment, from high maintenance fees to dependability issues. To help ensure you don’t drive home with a lemon, here are five used cars you should avoid at all costs.
2014 Ford Fiesta
The Fiesta is no longer part of the Ford lineup, but there are still a few models floating around out there. Overall, this subcompact sedan/hatchback was a great vehicle. It had a high-efficiency and sporty model and plenty of modern features for the time.
When the 2014 model came out, everyone was excited about the 1.6-liter Duratec engine. Sadly, this powertrain didn’t hold up its end of the bargain. This rig would go from zero to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds, and it offered poor fuel economy for a vehicle this size. The 2014 Fiesta also came with several reliability issues, including problems with body integrity, the transmission, and the air conditioning system. These kinds of issues will end up costing more in repairs than the car was ever worth.
2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
It’s probably been a long time since you’ve seen a PT Cruiser on the strip. This Chrysler came as a hatchback or a convertible. There are plenty of PT Cruiser enthusiasts out there that love the 2.4-liter twin-cam engine and unique style.
Most others agree that this car is not worth buying, even if you find one for a good price. The biggest issues drivers had with this car were the constantly stalling engine, smoking AC fan, and head failures.
2012 BMW X5
While shopping for used cars is probably the best way to bring home a discounted BMW, the X5 isn’t the way to do it. Typically, BMW vehicles are well-built and offer excellent reliability scores, so you are usually safe buying a pre-owned rig from this brand.
The 2012 X5, however, just didn’t age well. It has below-average reliability and tons of claims of stalling, overheating, and issues with the electrical system. Keep saving; there’s a better used BMW out there worth your hard-earned cash.
2019 Toyota RAV4
The RAV4 was of the best-selling compact SUVs in 2019. Typically, you can trust a used Toyota to have plenty of life left in it, but that’s not the case with the 2019 RAV4. Consumers issued hundreds of complaints about the powertrain and transmission. The complaints became so loud that Toyota recalled the 2019 model.
You might get lucky and find a 2019 RAV4 that has had all of its recall work completed and is in great shape, but you might also get stuck with a major pain. It’s best to avoid this rig and go for something else.
2013 Chevy Cruze
The Cruze first hit the road in 2011 and was part of a highly competitive compact car market. The 1.4-liter turbocharged engine helped it gain traction against vehicles like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Most models took this nameplate a huge step forward, but 2013 did just the opposite.
Chevy had to issue recalls for the electrical system, powertrain, airbag, and other general equipment repairs. This model had the worst reliability reports for the Cruze, which means it’s one of those used cars worth avoiding.
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