12 Used Cars That Are Notorious for Engine Problems (Don’t Waste Your Money)

Over the course of its lifetime, a vehicle with an unreliable engine could end up costing drivers a small fortune in maintenance. In fact, according to J.D. Power, a typical engine replacement could cost somewhere between $2,000 and $10,000. That's why purchasing a vehicle with a reliable engine is a smart money move for car owners.

These 12 vehicles have notoriously unreliable engines, which means that consumers should consider giving them a hard pass if they come across them while car shopping.

Average price: $11,340

Consumers in the market for a sturdy SUV should steer clear of the 2015 Jeep Cherokee. There are 180 complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration pertaining to issues with this vehicle's engine.

These problems range from issues with this SUV's powertrain and propulsion system to its electrical system.

Average price: $6,279

The 2013 Ford Fiesta is a small car with big problems, especially concerning its engine. Consumers have filed a whopping 109 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about this diminutive sedan's engine issues, and there are four more concerning the engine cooling specifically.

Multiple consumers have reported issues with the 2013 Fiesta's unreliable powertrain and transmission that quit around 60,000 miles.

Average price: $8,049

Consumers have reported 102 engine issues for the 2013 Volkswagen Passat to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Among those issues are problems with the propulsion system and vehicle speed control.

Among the 2013 Passat's most concerning engine-related issues was a recall, potentially affecting 84,262 vehicles that are at risk of a grease leak that could result in a fire.

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Average price: $6,721

The 2012 Chrysler 200 has amassed an eye-watering 145 consumer complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration because of its unreliable engine. Another 16 are for the engine cooling alone.

Among the multiple recalls that the federal agency has issued for this sedan was one for a rod bearing failure that could cause the engine to seize up, potentially stranding drivers on the road or causing them to crash.

Average price: $5,223

The 2010 Dodge Journey has proven itself to be a highly unreliable vehicle for consumers, with a staggering 176 engine complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Consumers have complained to the federal agency that this vehicle has had problems with the engine shutting off, some parts of the engine burning, melting, and even catching fire while they were driving.

Average price: $7,821

A paragon of poor engine quality, consumers have filed a whopping 211 complaints against the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu's engine with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

This sedan's engine problems range from electrical system and powertrain issues to vehicle speed control problems.

Average price: $6,949

There have been 45 complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration against the 2009 Audi A4's engine.

One consumer complained to the federal agency that their 2009 Audi A4 had an engine that was guzzling oil due to a faulty vacuum pump. This issue cost them over $6,000 to fix.

Average price: $6,760

Sedan shoppers looking for a car with a reliable engine should avoid the 2011 Hyundai Sonata. Consumers have registered a mind-boggling 925 complaints against this vehicle's engine with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This doesn't even include other engine-related complaints, such as the engine cooling or powertrain.

Most worrisome amongst the 2011 Sonata's myriad of engine-related issues were two recalls. One pertained to a fuel leak that could start a fire, which potentially affected 150,000 vehicles.

The other stemmed from a connecting rod issue that could stall out the engine, causing drivers to crash. As many as 470,000 vehicles were at risk from this problem.

Average price: $8,357

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received 562 consumer complaints against the 2013 Kia Optima due to its unreliable engine alone. From issues with its electrical system, fuel system, and propulsion system, if it's an engine problem, then the 2013 Kia Optima likely has it.

The federal agency has also issued an alarming recall for this vehicle in the past due to a fuel leak that could cause an engine fire, which potentially affected up to 71,653 vehicles.

Average price: $8,993

The 2013 Subaru Impreza has received 72 consumer complaints against its engine, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Consumers have complained that the 2013 Subaru Impreza's engine has stalled without warning while they were driving on the freeway, and that they have had to sell the car back to the dealership at a loss because of complete engine failure.

The federal agency has also issued a recall for a valve spring failure that could stall out the engine while the vehicle is in operation. Potentially 165,534 vehicles were affected by this issue.

Average price: $9,051

Consumers have filed 212 complaints against the 2011 BMW 328i's engine with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The federal agency has also issued several recalls pertaining to this luxury vehicle's powertrain, engine, and engine cooling system.

Average price: $9,175

Its famous hybrid vehicles may be synonymous with fuel efficiency and reliability, but the Japanese automaker missed the mark with the 2012 Toyota Prius.

In addition to consumers filing 69 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration against this hybrid's engine, the federal agency has also issued multiple recalls over this vehicle's hybrid propulsion system stalling out.

The most recent recall for this issue potentially affected up to 807,329 vehicles.

Engine issues can be some of the most expensive problems that plague car owners. In fact, one engine issue could obliterate 20% or more of a vehicle's overall value.

That means that just like car owners can research different insurance companies to save money on car insurance, shoppers should research and carefully consider things like consumer complaints and recalls to determine if a vehicle has a reliable engine before purchasing it.