The Most Problematic Cars
By expensive repairs, our overseas colleagues mean three issues. The first is engine failure (up to a complete overhaul), the second is a blown head gasket, and the third is a transmission (automatic) failure.
Fixing problems related to these components costs a lot of money, which is no secret to many car owners. However, Consumer Reports provides specific figures for a better understanding of the possible "scale of the tragedy." For instance, as the owner of a 2013 Nissan Murano crossover told experts, repairing the automatic transmission cost him $5,000. And, for example, the owner of a 2014 BMW X1 paid a whopping $7,500 to the service for repairing a blown head gasket! In Ukraine, by the way, fixing these issues also often costs not in hryvnias but in dollars.
Of course, such breakdowns can happen to any car, as they are influenced by many factors, including operating conditions and care for the "iron horse." However, Consumer Reports emphasizes that there are still models that, at a certain age and mileage, break down more often than others. These were the results of their monitoring.
Importantly, for each such problematic car, Consumer Reports offers an alternative—and not just one, but several cars.
Cars with the Most Frequent Engine Failures
Kia Optima 2014 (4-cyl.)
Typical failure mileage: 155-205 thousand km
Alternative: Honda Accord 2013-2015, Mazda6 2014-2015.
Kia Sorento 2012-2013 (4-cyl.)
Typical failure mileage: 111-174 thousand km
Alternative: Toyota Highlander 2012-2015, Toyota 4Runner 2012-2015.
Hyundai Santa Fe 2012-2013
Typical failure mileage: 156-190 thousand km
Alternative: Toyota Highlander 2012-2015, Toyota 4Runner 2012-2015.
Hyundai Sonata 2011-2014
Typical failure mileage: 116-229 thousand km
Alternative: Toyota Camry 2011-2013, Honda Accord 2011-2013.
Subaru Forester 2012
Typical failure mileage: 130-208 thousand km
Alternative: Honda CR-V 2011-2014, Toyota RAV4 2011-2014, Mazda CX-5 2013-2014.
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2013-2014
Typical failure mileage: 119-163 thousand km
Alternative: Mazda CX-5 2013-2014, Honda CR-V 2011-2014, Toyota RAV4 2011-2014.
Audi A4 2011
Typical failure mileage: 100-132 thousand km.
Alternative: Infiniti G 2011-2013.
Chevrolet Equinox / GMC Terrain 2011-2012
Typical failure mileage: 139-200 thousand km.
Alternative: Toyota RAV4 2011-2014, Mazda CX-5 2013-2014, Honda CR-V 2011-2014.
Ford Mustang 2015 (4-cyl.)
Typical failure mileage: 122-137 thousand km
Alternative: BMW 2-Series 2015-2016, Mazda MX-5 Miata 2015-2016.
BMW X3 2013
Typical failure mileage: 134-150 thousand km
Alternative: Acura RDX 2014-2016.
Volvo XC60 2015
Typical failure mileage: 97-138 thousand km
Alternative: Acura RDX 2014-2016.
Cars with the Most Frequent Head Gasket Failures
Chevrolet Cruze 2011
Typical failure mileage: 172-203 thousand km
Alternative: Honda Civic 2011-2013, Mazda3 2012 and 2013, Toyota Corolla 2011-2013.
BMW 3-Series 2011
Typical failure mileage: 116-197 thousand km
Alternative: Infiniti G 2011-2013.
BMW X1 2014
Typical failure mileage: 122-132 thousand km
Alternative: Acura RDX 2013-2014.
Buick Lucerne 2011
Typical failure mileage: 163-261 thousand km
Alternative: Toyota Avalon 2011-2013
Subaru Impreza 2011
Typical failure mileage: 137-175 thousand km
Alternative: Toyota Corolla 2011-2013, Honda Civic 2011-2013, Mazda3 2011-2013.
BMW 5-Series 2012
Typical failure mileage: 148-158 thousand km
Alternative: Infiniti M2011-2012, Lexus ES 2011-2013, Lexus GS 2013-2014.
BMW X3 2012
Typical failure mileage: 122-124 thousand km
Alternative: Acura RDX 2011-2013, Lexus NX 2015-2016.
Mini Cooper / Mini Clubman 2013
Typical failure mileage: 122-143 thousand km
Alternative: Mazda3 2012-2015, Honda Civic 2011- 2015.
Buick Encore 2015
Typical failure mileage: about 120 thousand km
Alternative: Lexus NX 2015-2016.
Cars with the Most Frequent Automatic Transmission Failures
Nissan Sentra 2012-2013, 2015
Typical failure mileage: 124-198 thousand km
Alternative: Honda Civic 2011-2015, Toyota Corolla 2011-2015, Mazda3 2013-2015.
Nissan Pathfinder 2013-2014
Typical failure mileage: 93-174 thousand km
Alternative: Toyota Highlander 2012-2016.
Ford Focus 2012-2017
Typical failure mileage: 50-97 thousand km
Alternative: Mazda3 2013-2015, Honda Civic 2012-2015.
Kia Forte 2019
Typical failure mileage: 19-37 thousand km
Alternative: Toyota Corolla 2017-2018; 2020, Kia Soul 2017-2019.
Nissan Murano 2011, 2013
Typical failure mileage: 135-192 thousand km
Alternative: Ford Edge 2015, Toyota Highlander 2012-2016.
Ford Fiesta 2011, 2014
Typical failure mileage: 185-233 thousand km
Alternative: Honda Fit 2011–2013, Hyundai Accent 2012–2013.
Infiniti QX60 2014
Typical failure mileage: 148-153 thousand km
Alternative: Lexus RX 2012-2016.
Nissan Rogue 2011-2012
Typical failure mileage: 151-242 thousand km
Alternative: Honda CR-V 2011-2013, Toyota RAV4 2011.
Nissan Altima 2016
Typical failure mileage: 68-124 thousand km
Alternative: Volkswagen Passat 2016-2017, Toyota Camry 2015-2017.
Chevrolet Traverse 2013
Typical failure mileage: 177-217 thousand km
Alternative: none.
