Used-car shopping rewards patience, and certain model years carry reputations that deserve a second look before any money changes hands. The picks below draw on owner complaint data and Consumer Reports survey results to flag years with expensive or recurring trouble. Here are twelve popular used cars where the specific year matters as much as the badge.
1. 2010 Chevrolet Malibu: Transmission Bill
Owner reports collected by owner reports on the 2010 Malibu name the 2010 Malibu as the nameplate’s worst year. The most telling entry is a transmission that stopped working, which averages $3,200 to repair and typically arrives around 101,000 miles, right when many used examples change hands.
A bill of that size can exceed the market value of an older midsize sedan. Shoppers considering one should ask for transmission service records, test shifting from cold, and budget for the repair or choose a different model year.
2. 2008 Toyota Camry: Thirsty Engine
The 2008 Camry is rated the worst year for excessive oil consumption in CarComplaints’ Camry ratings. Owners report an average repair of $2,700, with the typical car at about 107,000 miles when the problem surfaces.
That mileage matters because a Camry’s reputation for durability leads many buyers to skip close inspection. A used 2008 deserves an oil-level check during the test drive, a look through maintenance records, and a pointed question about whether the seller tops up between changes.
3. 2013 Dodge Dart: Early Gearbox Failures
The Dart’s worst year is 2013, with 425 complaints logged by CarComplaints data on the Dart. A transmission that stops working averages $3,400 to fix, and it tends to happen at only about 43,000 miles.
Failure at that mileage means a repair bill can land while the car is barely broken in, and possibly after a warranty has lapsed. Anyone eyeing a used 2013 should confirm what transmission work has already been done and treat a clean history as a condition of purchase.
4. 2014 Ford Focus: Troubled Transmission
Transmission trouble is the Focus’s largest complaint category, and the 2014 model year ranks worst among 5,279 complaints compiled by CarComplaints’ Focus complaint tally. The volume makes the model year a standout among small hatchbacks of the era.
Shoppers should read that as a prompt for due diligence rather than a verdict on every car. A used 2014 Focus is best test-driven for hesitation or shuddering, checked for any dealer repair records, and priced to reflect the risk of a pricey gearbox repair.
5. 2018 Audi A3: Reliability Warning
Consumer Reports lists the 2018 A3 among used cars with a record of much worse-than-average reliability, according to a Consumer Reports used-car roundup. The compact Audi’s premium badge does not shield it from that rating.
Premium compacts often cost more to repair than their mainstream rivals, so poor reliability hits harder. Buyers weighing a used A3 can compare it with less troublesome alternatives, and any car chosen should get a pre-purchase inspection by a technician who knows the brand.
6. 2019 Audi A6: Costly Luxury Sedan
The 2019 A6 also lands on Consumer Reports’ list of used vehicles to beware of, as summarized by Consumer Reports’ beware list. It joins the smaller A3 as a second Audi flagged by the publication’s member surveys.
A large luxury sedan in its second year on the market carries complex technology that can be expensive to diagnose. Prospective owners should weigh depreciation savings against possible repair costs, ask for the full service history, and consider an extended warranty before committing.
7. 2015 Volvo S60: Flagged Swedish Sedan
Consumer Reports flags the 2015 Volvo S60, along with the 2022 model, for much worse-than-average reliability, as Guide Auto’s Consumer Reports summary reports. The warning covers two model years separated by a full generation.
The repeat appearance suggests that Volvo’s compact sedan has trouble holding up across generations, though individual cars vary. Used shoppers are better served by checking service records than by trusting the badge, and a specialist inspection can reveal costly issues before purchase.
8. 2014 Chevrolet Cruze: Owner-Reported Problems
The 2014 Cruze is on Consumer Reports’ used-car warning list, which draws on member-reported problems, according to the Consumer Reports warning list. It is the one Chevrolet compact on that roundup.
A list built on owner reports reflects what real drivers experienced, not lab testing. Anyone shopping for a used Cruze should look at the specific car’s maintenance record, test it thoroughly, and compare asking prices with similar compacts that earned better reliability marks.
9. 2017-2018 Hyundai Sonata: Survey Slump
Consumer Reports’ annual auto surveys put the 2017-2018 Sonata among the worst cars to buy used, according to Gear Patrol’s worst-used-cars piece. Two consecutive model years share that unfavorable placement.
Two straight years of poor results point to a pattern rather than a one-off. Because the Sonata is a common used purchase, plenty of examples are available, so buyers can afford to be selective and favor cars with documented maintenance or remaining factory coverage.
10. 2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Luxury Compact Caution
The 2018 C-Class makes Consumer Reports’ list of 60 worst cars, trucks and SUVs to buy used, as Gear Patrol’s Consumer Reports list summarizes. The Mercedes is one of the few German luxury cars on that roundup.
Prestige and a low asking price can tempt used buyers, but repair costs on luxury sedans tend to run high. A pre-purchase inspection and a review of any remaining certified coverage are reasonable steps before accepting a C-Class at a bargain price.
11. 2021 Kia Soul: Recent Model Warning
Consumer Reports names the 2021 Soul among its worst used buys, as Gear Patrol’s used-buys list notes. It is the newest model year in the collection of cars the group warns against.
A car this recent can still be under factory coverage, which softens the risk if the warranty transfers to a second owner. Buyers should confirm remaining coverage in writing, check for open recalls, and weigh the quirky hatchback against competitors with stronger reliability records.
12. 2015 Volvo V60: Wagon Warning
The 2015 V60 wagon is flagged alongside the 2020 V60 on Consumer Reports’ worst-to-buy-used list, according to Gear Patrol’s worst-to-buy roundup. The two entries make the wagon a repeat name on the warning list.
Wagon fans often pay a premium for a V60’s practicality and style, which makes poor reliability more frustrating. A thorough inspection, complete service records and a realistic repair fund are sensible protections for anyone set on one of these Swedish estates.
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