Some cars cost their owners a small fortune in repairs long after the new-car smell fades. According to Consumer Reports’ Annual Auto Survey, which tracks owner-reported problems across thousands of vehicles each year, certain models rack up repair bills that dwarf the industry average. Federal recall data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) backs up many of those findings with documented defect patterns. And mechanics who see these cars roll into their bays over and over tend to agree on which ones earn the “money pit” label.
Here are nine models that consistently show up at the bottom of reliability rankings, generate heavy complaint volumes, and cost their owners far more than the AAA national average of roughly 12 cents per mile in maintenance, repair, and tire expenses.
1. Land Rover Range Rover (2018-2022)
Land Rover has finished at or near the bottom of Consumer Reports’ brand reliability rankings for years running, and the Range Rover is a big reason why. Owners report chronic air suspension failures, electrical gremlins that disable infotainment and driver-assist systems, and supercharged V8 engines that develop coolant leaks requiring thousands of dollars in labor-intensive repairs. NHTSA records show multiple recall campaigns for fuel leaks and software malfunctions across recent model years. Out of warranty, a Range Rover can easily cost two to three times the industry average in annual repairs, according to Consumer Reports’ brand-level cost tracking.
2. BMW X5 (2019-2023)
The X5 is one of BMW’s best sellers, but Consumer Reports has flagged multiple recent model years for below-average reliability, particularly in the powertrain and electronics categories. Owners report turbocharger issues, transmission hesitation, and persistent check-engine warnings tied to emissions components. BMW’s parts and labor rates push even routine fixes into premium territory. NHTSA complaint data for the 2020 and 2021 model years shows clusters of reports around engine stalling and fuel system problems. Mechanics note that the X5’s tightly packaged engine bay makes even straightforward jobs time-consuming and expensive.
3. Jeep Wrangler (2018-2023)
The Wrangler’s rugged image masks a spotty reliability record. Consumer Reports has rated several recent Wrangler model years well below average, citing problems with the vehicle’s electrical system, body integrity (including water leaks through the removable top and doors), and the optional turbocharged four-cylinder engine. NHTSA’s database contains a high volume of complaints about the Wrangler’s “death wobble,” a violent front-end shimmy at highway speeds that Jeep has addressed through multiple technical service bulletins without fully resolving the issue for all owners. Frame welds, clutch assemblies, and axle seals also generate repeat shop visits.
4. Mercedes-Benz GLE (2020-2023)
Mercedes-Benz as a brand sits in the bottom third of Consumer Reports’ reliability rankings, and the GLE is a frequent contributor. The SUV’s 48-volt mild-hybrid system and its nine-speed automatic transmission have drawn owner complaints for rough shifting, unexpected power loss, and software-related stalling. NHTSA records include recalls for steering column bolts and airbag sensor malfunctions. Repair costs climb quickly at Mercedes dealerships, where labor rates in major metro areas can exceed $200 per hour. Owners who buy a GLE off-lease and outside warranty often face five-figure repair bills within the first year of ownership.
5. Chevrolet Colorado (2023-2024)
GM’s redesigned midsize truck launched with a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that has generated a wave of owner complaints. Consumer Reports gave the redesigned Colorado a below-average predicted reliability rating, citing transmission problems and infotainment glitches. NHTSA complaint filings describe hard shifts, transmission shudder, and instances of the truck losing power while driving. The Colorado’s reliance on a single engine option means owners cannot sidestep the issue by choosing a different powertrain. Early adopters have reported multiple dealer visits for the same drivability concerns, a pattern that mechanics recognize as a sign of a systemic design problem rather than a one-off defect.
6. Nissan Pathfinder (2013-2020)
The third-generation Pathfinder earned a reputation among mechanics for its continuously variable transmission (CVT), which Nissan used across much of its lineup during this period. Consumer Reports flagged the Pathfinder’s transmission reliability as a persistent weak point, and NHTSA received thousands of complaints about CVT shuddering, overheating, and outright failure, sometimes at relatively low mileage. Replacing a Nissan CVT can cost $3,000 to $5,000 or more at an independent shop. Nissan extended the CVT warranty on some model years after pressure from owners and a class-action settlement, but many vehicles have aged past even the extended coverage, leaving current used-car buyers exposed.
7. Chrysler Pacifica (2017-2022)
The Pacifica is one of the few remaining minivans on the market, but its reliability record has been uneven. Consumer Reports has rated several model years below average, with the plug-in hybrid version drawing particular concern. NHTSA issued a stop-sale order on the Pacifica Hybrid in 2022 after reports of battery fires, and the recall affected tens of thousands of vehicles. Even the non-hybrid Pacifica has generated complaints about its nine-speed automatic transmission, including rough shifting and delayed engagement. Electrical issues with sliding doors, power liftgates, and the Uconnect infotainment system add to the repair tally. For families who depend on a minivan daily, these overlapping problems create both inconvenience and significant cost.
8. Volkswagen Atlas (2018-2023)
Volkswagen built the Atlas specifically for the American market, but Consumer Reports has rated its reliability below average for most of its production run. Owners report problems with the eight-speed automatic transmission, including hesitation and harsh downshifts, as well as premature brake wear and electrical faults in the infotainment and driver-assist systems. NHTSA complaint data shows a steady stream of reports about fuel system issues and unexpected warning lights. The Atlas uses VW’s EA888 turbocharged four-cylinder or a 3.6-liter VR6, and both powertrains have drawn criticism for long-term durability. Repair costs at VW dealerships run higher than domestic-brand competitors in the same three-row SUV segment.
9. Audi Q7 (2017-2022)
Audi shares platforms and components with Volkswagen, and the Q7 inherits some of the same reliability concerns along with the added complexity of a luxury SUV. Consumer Reports has rated the Q7 below average in multiple recent model years, with electrical systems and in-car electronics as the most common trouble spots. Owners describe infotainment screens that go blank, parking sensors that malfunction, and adaptive cruise control systems that disengage without warning. NHTSA records include recalls for fuel pump failures and airbag wiring defects. The Q7’s supercharged V6 (in older models) and turbocharged four-cylinder (in newer ones) both require premium fuel and synthetic oil, and even scheduled maintenance costs more than the segment average. Once the factory warranty expires, the Q7’s repair trajectory tends to steepen sharply.
Why these models keep costing owners
A few patterns connect these nine vehicles. Most rely on complex, software-heavy systems that are expensive to diagnose and repair. Several use transmissions, whether CVTs, nine-speeds, or dual-clutch units, that have proven less durable than traditional automatics. And nearly all come from brands that Consumer Reports ranks in the bottom half for overall reliability, meaning the problems are not isolated to a single model but reflect broader engineering or quality-control tendencies across the lineup.
Cost benchmarks reinforce the pattern. AAA’s 2025 driving cost data pegs average maintenance, repair, and tire expenses at about 12 cents per mile for a typical new vehicle. Consumer Reports’ brand-level spending data shows that owners of Land Rover, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi vehicles routinely spend well above that baseline, sometimes double, once their cars pass the 60,000-mile mark. That gap is the clearest, most measurable definition of a money pit.
How to avoid buying someone else’s problem
For anyone shopping for a used car in mid-2026, a few steps can dramatically reduce the odds of landing on this list. First, run the vehicle identification number through NHTSA’s free recall lookup tool before signing anything. Open recalls must be repaired at no cost, and a seller who resists that process is telling you something. Second, check the specific model year against Consumer Reports’ predicted reliability ratings, not just the brand’s overall reputation. A single redesign can turn a formerly solid nameplate into a headache. Third, compare the brand’s average repair costs to the AAA baseline to get a sense of what ownership will actually cost once the warranty runs out.
Finally, pay for a pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic. No database captures everything, and a trained set of eyes under the car can spot deferred maintenance, hidden accident damage, or early signs of the exact failures that put these nine models on the list. The inspection typically costs $100 to $200, a fraction of the repair bills it can help you avoid.
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*This article was researched with the help of AI, with human editors creating the final content.
