People all over the world love American cars for their performance, cool styling, and the great price bargains they get. By buying some of the best American cars on the market, many citizens can help boost the automotive industry and save jobs while promoting technological developments locally rather than overseas.
A new car that looks fabulous but breaks down easily or gets frequent recalls is the easiest way to make your life miserable. Even if you get a good warranty, you will spend much more in the long run. Although many people like to buy American-made cars, not all have high-reliability scores. This list will look at the brands and the model years you should be wary of when searching for a modern American car.
10 2011-2018 Ford Focus/Fiesta - Chronic Transmission Issues
The Ford Focus and Fiesta are compact hatchbacks that do many things well. These peppy little cars are affordable, comfortable, and offer decent performance for their class. When it comes to reliability, these cars can last for up to 200k miles with good maintenance.
However, some models from 2011-2018 are problematic and are the potential for expensive repair costs. According to carcomplaints, you will likely get a lemon of a transmission with these cars and pay a fortune in maintenance costs.
9 2015 - 2018 Jeep Renegade - Drivetrain, Axle, And Electronic Issues
This subcompact Fiat 500-based off-roader went into production in 2015 and featured subtle upgrades and better quality of life. The best 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and the renegade feels a bit slow. At the same time, fuel efficiency is disappointing and not as expected for a compact SUV.
Watch out for major mechanical issues ailing the Jeep Renegade, including electrical, transmission, engine, and brake problems. These issues might arise on a fairly new Renegade and make it a nightmare living with it.
8 2014, 2019 RAM 1500 - Engine Failure, Engine Fires
In 2014 the RAM 1500 truck won the best full-size truck for money award and ranked well in comfortability and use of high-quality materials. However, after living with this truck for a couple of years, users confirm that various frustrating problems come with the RAM 1500.
Engine problems are the most dominant curse on this model, and taking care of them is pricey. For example, rocker arms will break, causing a rambling motor and a check engine light. Other issues include engine stalling, spontaneous acceleration, excessive engine oil leaks, and others you will be glad to steer clear of.
7 2012 - 2022 Tesla Model S - Central Locking System Fault, Suspension Issue
According to consumer reports, the Tesla Model S is below the average reliability of daily usable cars. While this breakthrough electric car provides stunning features such as autonomous driving and loads of tech, it could be a trap once this tech gets faulty.
Repair costs on these cars are usually above average, even though their lack of a combustion engine is supposed to be an advantage. Common issues such as air suspension errors leaking sunroofs, and touch screen malfunctions are some that you should look out for when shopping for a Tesla Model S.
6 2012-2022 Ford Ranger - Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve, Engine Issues
Find Rangers are hugely capable workhorses that offer high-spec alternatives to conventional SUVs. For the most part, they are very reliable, but in some cases, you might run into a horrendous vehicle.
Engine problems and issues with the exhaust gas recirculation valve will surely lead to digging deep into your pockets and might even render you bankrupt. Problems with the braking and steering systems are also persistently among many customers.
5 Dodge Journey - Engine and Transmission Problems
Dodge has a reputation for making powerful and reliable vehicles such as the Durango, the Charger, and Ram trucks. The Dodge Journey came into the lineup as a spacious family-oriented budget-friendly SUV but could not garner enough popularity to see its sales take off.
Reviewers noted that the car felt cheap and low quality compared to other compact SUVs. The engine options are lackluster, with poor fuel economy. Brakes and rotors are also heavily prone to premature wearing out, making this car one of the best-avoided SUVs.
4 2019 - 2021 Chevrolet Silverado And Sierra - Over Braking Issues
The 2019 Silverado 1500 received a couple of recalls due to problems with the ABS and electronic stability control. Other issues plaguing these tracks include a jerky transmission under a shuddering ride. Electronics are prone to glitches.
Although these trucks from Chevy have a long-standing reputation for reliability, the fire hazards reported on some models might override their glory. You might need to get an extended warranty to keep driving these cars.
3 Cadillac XT4 - Poor Build Quality, Transmission, And Electrical Faults
GM Authority lists the Caddy XT4 as one of the least satisfying American vehicles. These ratings take into consideration the reported reliability scores of the vehicles. The less-than-stellar build quality of this disappointing vehicle means it's prone to break down a lot.
Major problems in the XT4 are popular in the transmission and the engine. For such a relatively new car, no one expects to find common electrical and cooling system problems that Cadillac should have had years of research to solve.
2 2008, 2013, 2014 Ford Escape - Steering, Transmission, And Engine Issues
For most of its production, the Ford Escape is a relatively reliable car. This popular SUV was among the first that introduced the crossover body style mold, making many more manufacturers follow suit. However, poor reliability in some model years makes this car far from perfect.
The 2013 escape is one of the SUVs that you should avoid like a plague. Issues with the transmission engine and steering are persistent and widespread. Even for the 2014 model, few things changed, so expect expensive repair bills.
1 2018 Lincoln Navigator - Aesthetic Problems, Transmission Issues
The 2018 Lincoln Navigator has impressive build quality with comfort and decent performance. It also offers high value for money that other luxury SUVs cannot match. Notwithstanding, it's not devoid of problems in the powertrain, fuel, and electrical systems.
Other mechanical problems arise from the suspension and rough gear shifts. Sometimes the rear door and the liftgate can open by themselves, causing the owner many headaches trying to fix these issues.