Cars are expensive these days, especially brand-new vehicles. For many of us, a car may be among the most expensive purchases we ever make. It goes without saying that we expect our cars to run reliably. We also expect that our new purchase will be practical and avoid breaking the bank when repairs are necessary. Unfortunately, according to the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, vehicle dependability drops significantly after just three years of ownership.
Cars are popular commodities in America, where most cities are spread out and vehicles seem necessary to succeed in daily life. From driving to work, to picking up the kids, to running to the grocery store, many of us feel we would not survive without a personal vehicle. It is estimated that 85% of Americans drive their car at least one time each day. This indicates that, for the average person, car issues are likely to cause major disruptions.
To determine our list of the least reliable American car brands, we looked at preponderance and severity of performance issues, along with the average annual cost of ownership. In the current inflationary climate, in which every dollar counts, the cost of car ownership is a valid and understandable concern. The average U.S. car owner spends $652.00 yearly on car maintenance and repairs. With those metrics in mind, we have ranked the cars below based on annual maintenance costs.
Why You Should Know About These Car Brands
Millions of cars are sold each year. If you’re looking to purchase a new car, you want to make sure that it’ll last you for a long time and take you where you need to go. Since there are multiple car brands on the market, understanding which brands are the most reliable can help you make a smart purchasing decision (and hopefully save money down the line).
Here are the eight car brands that may be more trouble than they’re worth:
8. Chrysler
- parent/owner: Stellantis North America
- established: 1925 (Chrysler); 2021 (Stellantis)
- average annual maintenance: $608.00
Down to One
Chrysler has been around just shy of a century, so the company knows a thing or two about the car business. However, as of 2024, the brand produces only one consumer model. The Chrysler Pacifica is a stylish, upscale minivan offering a range of amenities, including advanced infotainment systems. The days of counting cows and looking for out-of-state plates are long gone.
Generation Alpha watches the latest releases on their way to Grandma’s. So, while infotainment issues don’t affect the performance of your stylish minivan, they do affect the performance of your toddler. Beyond the inconsequential infotainment malfunctions, the Pacifica suffers from transmission problems that affect the powertrain, and electrical problems with the cruise control. As of January 2024, a lawsuit has been filed against the brand citing that its voluntary recall was not sufficient as the hybrid plug-in Pacifica is prone to bursting into flames spontaneously.
7. Volkswagen
- parent/owner: Volkswagen Group
- established: 1937
- average annual maintenance: $676.00
Pardon Me, Is that the Chattanooga VW Production Plant?
Though Volkswagen is a German automaker, VW has had an assembly facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee since 2011 that assembles the VW Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, and the ID.4. Volkswagen has spent the last few years outrunning the Dieselgate (2015) in which it was revealed that VW had installed software in its diesel vehicles designed to cheat emissions tests. The scandal resulted in widespread legal action, fines, and reputational damage for the brand. Let’s hope the company learned from its debacle. The Atlas is plagued by electrical issues and ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) failure, along with shattering sunroofs. With average annual maintenance costs hovering around the national average, the VW Atlas is reasonable.
6. Volvo
- parent/owner: Volvo/Geely
- established: 1927 (Volvo); 1986 (Geely)
- average annual maintenance: $746.00
Volvo has Found a Home in South Carolina
A Swedish car company on a list of American-made cars? Well, Volvo operates 12 manufacturing facilities in seven U.S. states, with over 17k employees. The first and principal U.S. Volvo plant, located in Ridgeville, South Carolina, broke ground in 2015 and began production (assemblage) in 2017. The plant is focused on the S60, and, as of 2023, the EX90, a fully electric SUV. ABS and strut mount failures are among the S60’s most common concerns, along with false warning lights and power-steering fluid leakage. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the Volvo S60 as good overall, but higher-than-average maintenance costs drag the Volvo down.
5. Ford
- parent/owner: Ford Motor Company/Ford Family
- established: 1903
- average annual maintenance: $775.00
Escape to the Edge
Ford Motor Company is about as American as you can get.Founded in 1903 by Henry Ford, the automaker has had a profound effect on the global automotive industry. Popularizing assembly line manufacturing, Ford played a pivotal role in making automobiles accessible to the mass market. Ford continues to evolve with advancements in technology and a commitment to sustainability. Issues with the transmission, including engine failure in the Ford Ecoboost engines, which is the result of a faulty valve. Those in the know suggest Ford’s mid-size SUVs, including the Escape and the Edge, are its most reliable models.
4. Tesla
- parent/owner: Elon Musk
- established: 2003 (Tesla Motors, Inc.); 2008 (Elon Musk)
- average annual maintenance: $832.00
What’s that Musky Odor?
Tesla, Tesla, Tesla… The Tesla brand has generated one of the more polarizing responses to a car in recent history. While many Tesla owners praise the company for its innovation, performance, and commitment to sustainable transportation, others express criticism and skepticism on various fronts, including concerns about the safety and reliability of Tesla’s Autopilot feature. Many of these concerns result from misconceptions regarding the actual abilities and limits of the system. Other problems include premature failure of suspension and steering columns, range inflation, and issues with the battery. Higher-than-average maintenance costs, coupled with these common issues, make the Tesla one of the 8 worst American-made car brands.
3. Lincoln
- parent/owner: Ford Motor Company
- established: 1917 (Lincoln Motor Company); 1922 (Ford Motor Company)
- average annual maintenance: $879.00
Lincoln Was Founded by a Warmonger
When the then-head of General Motors, pacifist Billy Durant, refused to allow Cadillac to build the 400-horsepower Liberty V-12 engines that would power military warplanes, Henry Leland, Cadillac’s founder, quit. Leland then founded the company (which he named after Abraham Lincoln) to produce aircraft engines during World War I. The Lincoln Motor Company transitioned to manufacturing automobiles after the war. Acquired by Ford in 1922. the Lincoln brand is synonymous with luxury and style. In the 21st century, Lincoln manufactures 4 models: the Navigator, the Aviator, the Nautilus, and the Corsair. Across all models, the common problems that arise include power steering fluid leakage, airbag recalls, faulty sensor lights, and janky transmissions. With average maintenance fees that are a quarter of a thousand dollars above the national norm, Lincolns are among the worst. Sorry honest Abe!
2. Mercedes-Benz
- parent/owner: Mercedes-Benz Group
- established: 1926 (Mercedes-Benz); 2022 (Mercedes-Benz Group)
- average annual maintenance: $908.00
In Alabama the Tusks are Looser
Mercedes-Benz is…American? If you’re asking that with a raised eyebrow, you’re mostly right. But the German car manufacturer has assembled cars in Tuscaloosa, Alabama since the mid-1990s. The Alabama facility currently produces the GLE, GLE Coupé, and GLS Maybach models. Since 2022, the two all-electric models EQS SUV and EQE SUV have also been manufactured in Tuscaloosa. Some issues these models have experienced include unintentional detachable window trim (GLE), while leaks, transmission problems, and airbag failures plague the Maybach. The EQS and EQE can reportedly lose power thanks to a software error, an exceptionally dangerous proposition, especially in high-traffic situations. With repair costs approaching $1,000, Mercedes-Benz are expensive to keep.
1. BMW
- parent/owner: The BMW Group
- established: 1916
- average annual maintenance: $968.00
American Made Since 1994
BMW has been manufacturing cars in the U.S. for 30 years. Spartanburg (Greer), South Carolina has the highest production rate for BMW, producing upwards of 1.5k/day. The BMW modes produced in South Carolina are the X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and the XM SUV. Bmers have also sorts of problems from oil leaks to cooling system failures. Faulty ignition coils, transmission irregularities, and electrical issues are part and parcel to BMW’s extravagant maintenance costs.
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