Used-car shopping gets risky when a trusted reputation hides a patchy reliability record. Consumer Reports built its avoid lists from owner surveys and reliability ratings, and several familiar nameplates made the cut across its 2017 and 2024 editions. Here are twelve used models that the magazine’s data suggests buyers should think twice about.
1. 2016 Honda Civic: Reliability Surprise
Even a Civic landed on a Consumer Reports list of 108 used cars to avoid, a roundup built on the magazine’s reliability ratings and summarized by a list of 108 cars. The nameplate’s reputation for durability did not exempt this model year from the same scrutiny applied to every other car on the page.
A strong badge is not a guarantee. Shoppers eyeing a used Civic of this vintage should pull a vehicle history report, request service records and pay for an independent inspection before assuming the brand’s reputation carries over to the specific car on the lot.
2. 2016 Mazda3: Sporty Compact, Sour Ratings
Named on the same avoid list, the 2016 Mazda3 was among the compact cars RealCarTips summary flagged in 2017 from Consumer Reports survey data. Its appeal as a fun, well-equipped small sedan did not outweigh the reliability concerns behind the warning.
A pleasant drive can mask nagging problems. Anyone cross-shopping used compacts should weigh the Mazda3’s handling against the reliability record, compare it with rivals from the same model year and budget for repairs rather than counting on a trouble-free ownership run.
3. 2013 Chevrolet Camaro: Muscle With a Caveat
Consumer Reports flagged the 2013 Camaro for poor reliability, and poor reliability rating included it among the used cars shoppers were urged to skip. The V8 performance and styling that drive demand did not change the verdict from owner-reported problems.
Enthusiast appeal can push used prices up even when the track record is shaky. A buyer tempted by the shape and sound should check for open recalls, scrutinize maintenance history and negotiate with potential repair costs in mind.
4. 2015 Chrysler 200: Midsize Sedan, Mixed Verdict
The 2015 Chrysler 200 also landed on the list, one of the mainstream midsize sedans a used-cars-to-avoid roundup included in its roundup of cars Consumer Reports advised avoiding. Its sleek redesign drew attention at launch, yet owner experience told a less flattering story.
Bargain pricing on a used 200 reflects the risk. Shoppers who still want one should insist on a pre-purchase inspection, ask about transmission service and compare the asking price against better-rated sedans of the same age.
5. 2020 Ford Mustang: Pony Car on the Warning List
Consumer Reports’ 2024 list of 60 used cars to avoid, drawn from its Annual Auto Surveys, includes the 2020 Mustang, as Gear Patrol’s 2024 report reported. The ratings rest on owner-reported trouble rather than road-test impressions or styling.
A Mustang’s looks and engine options make it easy to fall for in a listing. Buyers should treat the survey flag as a prompt to dig into this specific car’s history and verify that any reported issues were properly repaired.
6. 2019-2022 Chevrolet Bolt: Four Years of Warnings
Four straight model years of the Bolt, 2019 through 2022, appear on Consumer Reports’ list of 60 used cars to avoid, according to a 2024 buyer’s guide. A run that long suggests the concerns were not a single bad year.
Low used prices make the electric hatchback tempting. Shoppers should check recall completion for the car in question, research battery-related service history and weigh the savings against the survey record before signing anything.
7. 2020 Hyundai Ioniq: Hybrid Hatch Under Scrutiny
The 2020 Ioniq is on Consumer Reports’ 2024 used-cars-to-avoid list, one of the efficiency-focused models the magazine’s 2024 list highlighted from the survey results. High fuel economy was not enough to offset the reliability marks.
A thrifty hybrid can still cost more than expected if repairs stack up. Anyone considering one should review service records, confirm warranty coverage that may remain and compare against better-rated hybrids first. A seller’s glowing mileage claims deserve the same skepticism as any other sales pitch.
8. 2019 Kia Niro: Crossover-Style Hybrid, Shaky Marks
Also on Consumer Reports’ 2024 used-cars-to-avoid list is the 2019 Niro, a hybrid crossover that survey-based warnings pulled from the magazine’s survey findings. Practicality and mileage figures did not shield it from the warning.
Roomy and frugal does not equal dependable. Used-car shoppers should look for documented maintenance, ask about hybrid system checks and consider competing models from the same period before committing. Paying a bit more for a better-rated rival can prove cheaper over several years of ownership.
9. 2019-2021 Tesla Model S: Luxury EV, Rough Record
Consumer Reports says the 2019 to 2021 Model S carries a record of much worse-than-average reliability, a verdict repeated in a gallery of 60 vehicles of used vehicles to beware. Premium pricing and flagship status did not translate into dependable ownership in the data.
Depreciation can make a used Model S look like a bargain. Buyers should price in potential repair bills, check for unresolved service history and have an independent shop inspect the car beforehand.
10. 2014 and 2021 Volkswagen Jetta: Two Years, Two Warnings
Two Jetta model years, 2014 and 2021, earn the same flag from Consumer Reports for much worse-than-average reliability, as Guide Auto’s warning list noted. Seven years apart, the two cars share a reputation problem despite belonging to different generations.
The Jetta’s low entry price tempts budget shoppers. Anyone looking at either year should verify service records, check recall status and compare against better-rated compacts before treating a cheap sticker as a deal.
11. 2018 Mini Cooper: Premium Hatch, Pricey Problems
The 3- and 5-door versions of the 2018 Mini Cooper hatch are on Consumer Reports’ beware list for much worse-than-average reliability, according to a Guide Auto gallery. Charming design and premium branding sit alongside a weak owner-survey record.
Small premium cars can be costly to fix. Shoppers should obtain a thorough inspection, ask for full maintenance documentation and set aside a repair fund before taking on a used Cooper. Walking away from a tempting listing is cheaper than fixing recurring faults.
12. 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan: Family SUV on the Beware List
Consumer Reports’ 2024 beware list includes the 2018 Tiguan, a compact crossover that the 2024 beware list counted among the used vehicles to approach cautiously. Family-friendly space and a European badge did not earn it a pass.
Used Tiguans are often priced attractively against Japanese rivals. Buyers should check that recall work was done, request service records and weigh better-rated alternatives before settling on this model year. A fair price today matters less than the repair bills that may follow.
More from Morning Overview
- Two passengers died at an Ohio toll plaza, and the NTSB now wants the cash lanes shut
- Long use of a common prostate pill is tied to a higher chance of glaucoma
- Ford is recalling 223,472 F-150 pickups because the fuel tank can leak or detach
- Hybrids have 15% fewer problems than gas cars, while EVs and plug-in hybrids have about 80% more, Consumer Reports finds
