8 SUVs Consumer Reports and owners both flag for trouble

Reliability reputations in the SUV aisle rarely match the glossy brochure. Some of the best-selling nameplates in the US carry formal criticism from a major testing organization, while others pile up owner grievances in public databases. Here are eight SUVs that have drawn that kind of scrutiny, with each claim tied to a linked source.

1. Chevrolet Equinox: Transmission Trouble Tops Compacts

In its assessment of the worst vehicles in the class, Consumer Reports names the Equinox the weakest compact SUV, and a Yahoo Autos roundup lays out the reasons. The cited problems center on the transmission computer and on severe fluid leaks, repairs that call for the transmission to be removed from the vehicle. That combination turns what might be a routine visit into a major job.

For a used-car shopper, the finding argues for a close look at service records and any history of fluid seepage before a purchase. A pre-purchase inspection that checks transmission behavior and the underside of the vehicle is a sensible safeguard. Owners with symptoms are better served acting early, since leaks left alone tend to worsen over time.

2. GMC Terrain: A Twin With The Same Faults

The Terrain shares its mechanical roots with the Equinox, and the same Consumer Reports findings apply here. The organization records the transmission computer and fluid-leak failures on this model as well, which means the problems are not unique to one badge. Shoppers cross-comparing the two crossovers should treat the warnings as a shared issue rather than a quirk of a single nameplate.

The practical takeaway for buyers is that picking the GMC over the Chevrolet does not sidestep the concern. Anyone considering a used example should ask for documentation of past transmission work and have a mechanic look for signs of leakage. A clean maintenance history carries real weight with a vehicle that has drawn this kind of criticism.

3. GMC Acadia: Worst Of The Three-Row Midsizes

Among three-row midsize SUVs, Consumer Reports names the Acadia the worst, as described in a Yahoo Autos report on vehicles to avoid. The cited trouble spots span transmission faults, brake issues and the in-car electronics. Such a spread matters because it touches drivetrain, safety hardware and daily usability all at once, rather than a single isolated component.

Families drawn to the Acadia for its seating and size would do well to weigh that range of complaints against alternatives. Test drives that exercise the brakes and the infotainment system, plus a review of warranty coverage, can reveal whether a specific vehicle shows any of the flagged faults. Careful inspection matters most on a used purchase.

4. Ford Escape: Owner Complaints Pile Up

Owner feedback paints a rough picture of the Escape, with CarComplaints listings showing 4,924 owner complaints on file for the model. That tally is a count of submissions rather than a ranking, and the database does not by itself say how many vehicles were sold or how serious each report was. Even so, a figure of that size is hard to ignore.

Prospective buyers can use the number as a prompt to dig into the specific model year under consideration, since complaint patterns often cluster around particular generations. Reading the individual reports, checking recall history and requesting service records all help separate isolated gripes from recurring defects. The count works best as a starting point for research.

5. Toyota RAV4: Popular, Yet Not Complaint-Free

Even the best-selling RAV4 draws grievances from owners, and CarComplaints data lists 2,666 owner complaints on file. A large count is partly a function of how many of these crossovers are on the road, so volume alone does not equal a poor record. The figure simply shows that a strong reputation does not mean an absence of reported problems.

Shoppers should read that total in context, comparing it with the vehicle’s sales footprint and looking at which model years generate the most reports. Recall lookups by VIN and a thorough used-car inspection remain standard precautions. A well-regarded nameplate still deserves the same scrutiny as any other before money changes hands.

6. Chevrolet Suburban: A Big Hauler With Big Gripes

The full-size Suburban has built up 1,270 owner complaints on file, according to CarComplaints records for the brand. The listing reflects reports submitted by owners across many years of production, so the total mixes older and newer vehicles. It offers a rough gauge of how often drivers feel moved to document trouble with the truck-based wagon.

Buyers weighing a used Suburban can narrow the picture by filtering reports to the model year in question and noting the systems named most often. A seasoned example with a thick folder of maintenance receipts is generally a safer bet than one with gaps. Because repair costs on large vehicles run high, diligence up front pays off.

7. Chevrolet Traverse: Family Hauler, Rising Reports

Owners of the three-row Traverse have filed 761 complaints, a count drawn from CarComplaints entries for the brand. The number is smaller than some larger totals on the list, yet it still represents a meaningful body of owner-reported problems for a single model. Context such as years on sale and sales volume would be needed to judge how the figure compares.

Families considering the Traverse can treat the tally as a reason to research individual model years and to review recall notices before signing. Independent inspections, a careful test drive and a look at the maintenance record add useful protection. Owner reports are anecdotal by nature, but patterns across many of them can point toward recurring weak spots.

8. Nissan Juke: The Smallest Tally Still Counts

At the lower end of the list, the Juke shows 192 owner complaints on file, per CarComplaints figures for the brand. The subcompact crossover was sold in far smaller numbers than the volume sellers above, which likely helps explain the modest total. A low count is not proof of trouble-free ownership, but it does place this model in a different range.

For shoppers, the figure suggests that the Juke’s record deserves the same checks as any used vehicle rather than special alarm. Reading the specific complaints, confirming recall work was completed and inspecting the drivetrain are all reasonable steps. Small sample sizes also mean a handful of reports can shift the picture noticeably in either direction.