Shopping for a new car in 2025 means sorting through aggressive marketing, complex tech and fast-changing reliability data. To help narrow the field, I am focusing on models that multiple reports flag for chronic mechanical issues, poor value or lagging technology. Each of the eight vehicles below appears in recent avoidance guides or pricing analyses, making them cars you should think twice about before signing a contract.
1. The Chrysler Pacifica Minivan
The Chrysler Pacifica keeps showing up on mechanic warning lists because of its history of transmission problems and expensive driveline repairs. A detailed mechanic blacklist singles out the Chrysler Pacifica as a minivan that can saddle owners with chronic issues as mileage climbs, especially when used for heavy family duty. That same reporting notes that complex plug-in hybrid hardware can compound costs once the vehicle is out of warranty, since specialized parts and labor quickly add up.
In 2025, those concerns matter even more because families are keeping vehicles longer and expecting minivans to double as road-trip workhorses. While a separate video review titled “The 5 BEST and 5 WORST Things About the 2025 Pacifica!” highlights useful features like Stow ’n Go seating and the Chrysler Pacifica hybrid option, the long-term risk profile still looks unfavorable compared with simpler rivals. For buyers, the stakes are clear: a lower purchase price today can be wiped out by one major transmission or hybrid-system failure tomorrow.
2. Dodge Journey SUV
The Dodge Journey SUV was discontinued by Dodge in 2020, so it is not available as a new model in 2025. However, it continues to appear prominently in used-car warning lists because of its dated platform, poor crash-test performance in some configurations and a reputation for early mechanical fatigue. A broad guide to sedans and SUVs to avoid highlights models like the Dodge Journey as examples of vehicles that underperform on reliability and long-term value, even when the sticker price looks tempting on the lot.
For shoppers browsing used inventory in 2025, that distinction matters. A low advertised payment on a leftover Journey can mask higher fuel costs, limited safety tech and the likelihood of suspension or transmission work before 100,000 miles. Because the SUV is no longer in production, parts availability and software support may also tighten over time. I see this as a classic case where walking away from a “deal” and choosing a newer, better-rated crossover can save thousands over a typical ownership cycle.
3. Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler is iconic off road, but it is also a recurring entry on lists of cars to AVOID In 2025 because of reliability and comfort compromises. A roundup titled “Cars Not to Buy in 2025: Top Models to Avoid” explicitly names Jeep Wrangler alongside Nissan Frontier, Hyundai Kona and Jeep Grand Cherokee as vehicles that shoppers should AVOID In 2025, citing concerns about ride quality, interior durability and long-term ownership costs. That same list notes that the Jeep Wrangler can feel especially punishing as a daily driver compared with more modern crossovers.
Those warnings echo what many independent mechanics report, including frequent complaints about electrical gremlins, water leaks and rust in heavily used examples. When I weigh those issues against the Wrangler’s high purchase price, the value equation looks weak for anyone who is not a dedicated off-road enthusiast. In 2025, buyers can get far better fuel economy, safety tech and refinement from other SUVs, which makes the Wrangler a risky choice unless its trail capability is absolutely essential.
4. Nissan Altima Sedan
The Nissan Altima sedan has long been a midsize staple, yet recent pricing analyses argue that it no longer delivers enough substance for the money. A report on overpriced new cars flags the Nissan Altima as an example of a model where base features and interior quality do not justify the transaction prices many buyers are paying. That assessment points to middling performance, limited standard safety tech on lower trims and a cabin that feels dated next to newer rivals.
In 2025, those shortcomings are magnified because competitors now bundle advanced driver-assistance systems, larger touchscreens and more efficient powertrains as standard equipment. Paying similar money for an Altima that lacks those advantages effectively locks owners into older technology for the life of the loan. For budget-conscious shoppers, I see the risk as twofold: weaker resale value and higher opportunity cost, since the same monthly payment could secure a better-equipped sedan with stronger reliability data.
5. Land Rover Discovery
The Land Rover Discovery continues to attract attention for its luxury image, yet it is conspicuously absent from several lists of standout 2025 models. A detailed preview of the best new cars coming in 2025 highlights a range of innovative SUVs and crossovers but does not include the Land Rover Discovery among the top picks, a gap that reflects ongoing concerns about complexity-driven reliability issues. Owners and independent shops frequently point to air-suspension failures, electronics glitches and high parts prices as recurring pain points.
That omission from “best of” lineups matters because it signals that the Discovery is no longer setting benchmarks in technology or quality, even as it commands premium pricing. For 2025 buyers, the risk is getting locked into a vehicle that spends more time in the service bay than on the road, especially once the factory warranty expires. When I compare it with simpler, more robust three-row SUVs, the Discovery’s combination of high running costs and uncertain dependability makes it a model to skip.
6. Tesla Model 3 EV
The Tesla Model 3 EV remains one of the most recognizable electric cars, but it is not included among the top 12 recommendations in a major 2025 EV buying guide. A ranking of the best electric cars 2025 focuses on models with strong range, charging performance and reliability, and the absence of the Tesla Model 3 from that top 12 implies that other EVs now offer a better overall package. Reporting around that list also highlights concerns about build quality and inconsistent panel fit on some Tesla vehicles.
For buyers in 2025, the stakes are significant because EV ownership depends heavily on both hardware durability and service access. While Tesla’s Supercharger network remains a strength, limited service-center availability and parts delays can turn minor issues into lengthy downtime. When rival EVs now match or exceed the Model 3 on range while offering more conventional dealer support, I see the Model 3 as a riskier bet than its reputation suggests, especially for first-time EV owners.
7. Ford Explorer SUV
The Ford Explorer SUV is a familiar nameplate, yet it has struggled to win over owners in recent reliability and satisfaction surveys. A Consumer Reports–based rundown of the 10 most popular new cars and SUVs of 2025 does not include the Ford Explorer, a notable omission given the model’s long history and market presence. That absence aligns with ongoing criticism of its infotainment glitches, transmission behavior and a series of safety recalls that have affected recent generations.
In practical terms, skipping the Explorer in 2025 can help buyers avoid both frustration and financial risk. Software bugs in the central touchscreen can undermine key features like navigation and climate control, while recall-related downtime can disrupt daily routines. With many rival three-row SUVs now offering smoother drivetrains and stronger reliability records, I view the Explorer as a model where brand familiarity should not outweigh the latest data.
8. BMW X5
The BMW X5 is often praised for its performance and luxury, but several pricing analyses argue that it has become a poor value play. A detailed look at Overpriced New Cars To Avoid Buying highlights premium SUVs like the BMW X5, Audi and Cadillac Escalade as examples of vehicles where high MSRPs collide with steep depreciation and costly maintenance. That reporting notes that complex turbocharged engines and advanced suspension systems can drive repair bills sharply higher once warranties expire.
For 2025 shoppers, those dynamics translate into a significant total-cost-of-ownership penalty compared with less flashy competitors. Even if lease deals look attractive, the underlying depreciation curve and maintenance exposure still affect insurance costs and long-term affordability. I see the BMW X5 as a textbook case of paying extra for a badge while accepting higher financial risk, especially when more modestly priced crossovers now deliver comparable comfort, safety and technology without the same repair anxiety.
More from MorningOverview