Saving & Spending Home & Auto

15 Worst Car Brands if You Hate To Spend Money on Maintenance

Buckle up for a ride through the 15 maintenance nightmares on four wheels.

By Jenny Cohen

Edited by Chris Kissell

Updated Dec. 17, 2024

Cars are expensive to purchase, but the costs don’t stop there. If you spend a lot to maintain and repair your car, the bills can continue to pile up.

Consumer Reports recently used member surveys to gauge the repair and maintenance performance of hundreds of thousands of cars on a score of zero to 100, with 100 representing the most reliable.

If you're trying to get ahead financially and avoid costly maintenance and repairs, you might want to avoid the following 15 car brands.

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Cadillac

Reliability score: 45

Cadillac is a luxury brand that is now entering the world of electric vehicles with models such as the Lyriq and Celestiq. However, it doesn't get top marks for reliability.

One way to offset the high maintenance and repair costs for a Cadillac or any other brand on this list is to shop around and try to save money on car insurance.

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Nissan

Reliability score: 45

Nissan offers a wide variety of sedans, SUVs, and trucks. However, Consumer Reports notes that reliability varies widely from vehicle to vehicle in its lineup.

That lack of consistency should be a factor when deciding which Nissan to buy.

Genesis

Reliability score: 44

According to Consumer Reports, Genesis — Hyundai’s luxury brand — is somewhat of a “mixed bag” when it comes to reliability.

The publication also says controls in newer Genesis cars have become overly complicated.

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Audi

Reliability score: 43

Audi is a luxury brand known for styling, performance, and cutting-edge technology across its fleet of sedans and SUVs.

However, as with brands like Cadillac, it's unsafe to assume that luxury automatically translates to reliability.

Chevrolet

Reliability score: 43

Chevrolet offers everything from SUVs and trucks to its famous Corvette. The brand also sells a mix of traditional gas-powered vehicles and electric vehicles.

Sadly, the automaker doesn't earn great scores in terms of reliability.

Dodge

Reliability score: 42

Dodge is now down to two SUVs — the Hornet and Durango. Both the Challenger and Charger models have been discontinued.

Although reliability rankings are not great, there is one reason for excitement: Dodge plans to roll out an electric muscle car at some point in the future.

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Ford

Reliability score: 40

Aside from the beloved Mustang, Ford is moving away from cars and focusing on SUVs and pickup trucks.

Consumer Reports member surveys indicate that the reliability of Fords is below average.

Lincoln

Reliability score: 38

Lincoln was once known for its luxury sedans, but the brand now offers only SUVs.

The brand’s models appear to share some of the same reliability issues as the Ford models they’re based on.

GMC

Reliability score: 36

Consumer Reports refers to GMC vehicles as "rebadged, slightly more upscale twins to Chevrolet’s SUVs and trucks."

Unfortunately, the brand’s models have many of the same reliability issues as Chevrolets.

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Volvo

Reliability score: 28

Volvo is well-known for its safety features. However, its gas-powered models are getting a bit long in the tooth.

In addition, Volvo’s reliability ratings are nothing great.

Jeep

Reliability score: 26

Thanks to its rugged design, the Jeep brand has deep consumer loyalty. It includes the iconic Jeep Wrangler and SUVs like Cherokee and Wagoneer.

Unfortunately, according to Consumer Reports, fuel economy and reliability issues have dragged the brand’s score lower.

Volkswagen

Reliability score: 26

Consumer Reports cites Volkswagen’s controls on its vehicles as a potential issue. The publication notes that such controls have gone from being some of the best in the industry to some of the worst in recent models.

In addition, Consumer Reports describes reliability as “mostly below par.”

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Rivian

Reliability score: 24

Rivian is the youngest brand on this list. The fact that it released its only two models in 2021 may be a factor in maintenance and repair costs as the company goes through potential growing pains.

Rivian’s two models on the market include the R1T electric pickup truck and the R1S electric SUV.

Mercedes-Benz

Reliability score: 23

Consumer Reports says Mercedes-Benz vehicles perform well on many tests. That's the good news.

Unfortunately, the brand lags badly when it comes to reliability.

Chrysler

Reliability score: 18

Chrysler finishes last when it comes to maintenance and repairs.

The brand — which is owned by automaker Stellantis — is down to just one vehicle, the Chrysler Pacifica minivan. According to Consumer Reports, the model’s plug-in hybrid version is the source of reliability concerns.

Bottom line

It's difficult to save money if you're driving a vehicle that requires constant payment for costly maintenance and repairs.

A smart car owner move is to think twice before purchasing the cars on this list. Even if you get a good deal on the purchase price, those savings can quickly evaporate if you're always running to the nearest mechanic for fixes.

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