10 Notoriously Unreliable Used Sedans You Shouldn’t Buy In 2025

Consumers often seek out a used car when purchasing their next vehicle as a way to save money. Considering how expensive new cars can be, it’s a smart way to shop on a budget.

However, not all used vehicles are worth purchasing. Some can be especially expensive if repairs and maintenance run you a fortune. If you’re in the market for a used sedan and want to be a smart car owner, here are 10 notoriously unreliable ones that car shoppers steer clear of.

Used car shoppers should steer clear of the 2018 Volvo S90. While it may be stylish and luxurious, S90 owners have reported issues with the sedan’s reliability, manufacturing quality, and ride quality, as well as Volvo’s warranty coverage.

Consumers have filed 10 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the S90, ranging from the electrical system to speed control. There have also been two recalls on the vehicle.

The Altima’s affordable price tag shouldn’t fool consumers. The money they save upfront will likely be spent on repair and maintenance later on.

Altima owners have reported issues with the sedan’s poor-quality interior, particularly its dashboard and cupholders. They also found its overall reliability to be dismal, often citing issues with the transmission.

The NHTSA has reported four recalls, three investigations, and 502 consumer complaints on file for the vehicle.

Another seemingly affordable used sedan that will likely give owners plenty of grief is the 2018 Hyundai Sonata.

Owners have complained about the 2018 Sonata’s subpar overall build quality. They have also noted that the vehicle’s engine provides lackluster acceleration.

The NHTSA has launched two investigations, one recall, and received 264 complaints on the 2018 Sonata.

The 2019 Audi A6 proves that luxury and reliability do not always go hand-in-hand.

Complaints chronicle that the sporty German performance car is not a good value because of its poor reliability and manufacturing quality. The vehicle has a measly 2.5 out of five reliability rating on RepairPal.

Unsurprisingly, the NHTSA has issued five recalls and received 103 complaints for the 2019 Audi A6.

The 2019 Kia Forte is another used sedan that’s cheap — but not in a bad way. Owners complain of frequent transmission issues.

Consumers have filed 117 complaints for the 2019 Forte with the NHTSA. A whopping 43 of those were related to the sedan’s powertrain.

In addition to two recalls, the NHTSA has voiced safety concerns due to how the Forte’s side rear door performed during crash tests.

Another notoriously unreliable used sedan is the 2021 Nissan Sentra, which has three recalls on file with the NHTSA.

These recalls are primarily due to faulty tie rods that can cause drivers to lose control of the vehicle and rearview camera malfunction.

Consumers have filed 99 complaints against this sedan with the NHTSA. Nearly 30 of those issues pertained to problems with the Sentra’s Forward Collision Avoidance system.

With a dismal 25/100 reliability score from Consumer Reports, the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta is a stain upon the proud tradition of German engineering.

While the 2024 model does not have any recalls on file with the NHTSA, the federal agency has four separate complaints on file for the 2024 Jetta’s service brakes.

Consumers have also noted issues with the sedan’s engine, fuel system, and Forward Collision Avoidance system.

Owners have complained of numerous issues that plague the 2017 Chrysler 200. In particular, this lemon suffers from having an unreliable transmission that frequently breaks down.

This vehicle has 41 complaints on file with the NHTSA. Half of those stem from engine issues. The Chrysler 200 also has a recall for its faulty cruise control, which does not stop as the vehicle accelerates.

Another vehicle that owners complain has poor build quality is the 2019 Ford Fiesta. Many also take issue with this car’s cramped interior.

There are 40 complaints against the 2019 Fiesta on file with the NHTSA. There are also two recalls for a brake issue and a faulty rearview camera image display.

Additionally, the federal agency reported a safety concern over how the Fiesta’s rear door performed during a side-impact test.

Owners were unsatisfied with the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta’s poor manufacturing quality and lack of reliability.

There are 51 complaints for this vehicle on file with the NHTSA. The federal agency also has four recalls for this sedan, two of which stem from malfunctions with its rearview camera image display and one for faulty front seats that are not properly bolted to the vehicle’s floor.

Purchasing a used sedan is supposed to save you money on the sticker price. Consumers negate those savings, though, if they buy one that constantly breaks down. Before spending your hard-earned money on a used car, do your research to make sure it’s reliable.

Beyond just cutting costs while purchasing the vehicle, used cars usually have less expensive insurance rates, which is another way to save money on your car.