I once bought a used Nissan Altima with 100,000 miles on it for $5,000, which I thought would last a few years. To my great surprise, it ran for over 12 years more as I put an additional 100,000 miles on it.
I did have to put a little work into the car once or twice, but I got some of those costs back when I sold it for $1,000.
Unfortunately, not all cars (and car owners) are so lucky. Consumer Reports and J.D. Power recently highlighted some of the least reliable car brands. Here are five of them and how to save on one major car expense (auto insurance) no matter what vehicle you drive.
1. Chrysler
If there’s one brand that Consumer Reports and J.D. Power were both in agreement for when it comes to reliability, it’s Chrysler. Research from both companies put the brand at the very bottom of their reliability rankings.
And among this year’s crop of vehicles, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid made it on the not-so-coveted list of the least reliable cars. According to Consumer Reports, trouble spots for the Pacifica Hybrid include its battery pack, electric charging, and electric motor. So, almost every hybrid-specific feature in the model.
2. Mercedes-Benz
Many people love Mercedes vehicles, with their well-appointed cabins, smooth ride, and classic styling. However, while Mercedes has built a strong brand following, its vehicles don’t usually receive high marks for reliability.
Consumer Reports ranks Mercedes just above Chrysler as the least reliable brand, and the automotive repair website RepairPal gives the brand a three out of five-star rating for reliability. RepairPal also says that a Mercedes-Benz vehicle’s average annual repair cost is $908, above the average of $652.
3. Rivian
I’m a car enthusiast and a big fan of the all-electric Rivian brand, so it pains me to put the company on this list. But Consumer Reports ranks Rivian near the bottom and says the company’s R1T pickup has trouble with its drive system and climate system.
To be fair, Rivian has only been manufacturing vehicles for a few years, which increases the likelihood of reliability issues as the company works out some of its manufacturing and design kinks.
4. Volkswagen
Volkswagen is the second-largest automaker in the world by vehicles sold, but that doesn’t mean all of them are of the best quality. The Volkswagen Jetta received a low reliability score from Consumer Reports and ranks low among competitors in its compact car class.
Unfortunately, the Volkswagen brand overall generally doesn’t have a fantastic reliability rating either. J.D. Power’s most recent dependability study ranked Volkswagen 26th among the most reliable car brands, just fourth from the bottom. The study showed that Volkswagens have 267 problems per 100 vehicles, above the average of 190.
5. Jeep
Jeep vehicles symbolize independence for many people, and its Wrangler has nearly unmatched off-road capabilities. Unfortunately, the company has three of the least reliable vehicles available right now, including the Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, and Grand Cherokee L.
Some of the combined trouble spots from the two vehicles include the engine, electric system, and steering and suspension.
Despite its flaws, Jeeps are massively popular. The Grand Cherokee and Wrangler rank in the top 15 best-selling SUVs of this year, according to Kelley Blue Book.
How to save money no matter what car brand you own
Car insurance premiums have skyrocketed recently, rising 19.5% over the past year. That means whether you have a reliable vehicle or one that you spend way too much money repairing, it’s likely you’re spending too much on auto insurance.
The good news is that you can probably find cheaper car insurance if you do some comparison shopping. Research from car app Jerry found that 60% of people who comparison shop find cheaper insurance. And, just like the commercials suggest, you can take your savings a step further if you bundle your home and auto insurance together.
Paying less for your insurance premiums won’t make your car more reliable, but it could put some extra money in your savings account for the next time your car’s in the shop.
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