Notorious Sedans to Avoid
Buying a used sedan should be a smart way to save some cash, but picking the wrong model can quickly turn into a financial nightmare. While a shiny exterior might look tempting on a dealer's lot, many older cars hide expensive mechanical flaws, glitchy electronics, or transmissions that seem to have a mind of their own. With that in mind, here are 20 sedans to avoid in the used market.
1. The Glitchy Chrysler 200
Here we have a handsome sedan with horrible electronics. Specifically, this car’s nine-speed automatic transmission often cannot decide what gear it wants to be in. Owners complain of sudden lunges forward or stalling during operation, which isn’t ideal when you’re driving to the store.
2. Nissan Altima with CVT Woes
If you’re looking at a mid-2010s model, you should be extremely wary of the continuously variable transmission that’s notorious for failing prematurely. These units often begin to whine and shudder before they completely give up the ghost, leaving you with a massive repair bill. It's a shame because the interior is quite comfortable, but the mechanical reliability just isn't there for the long haul.
3. Ford Focus and the Shuddering Clutch
The PowerShift dual-clutch transmission used on Focuses from 2011 to 2016 loves to hesitate and shudder when you ask it to accelerate from a stoplight. Ford has paid out millions in lawsuits over this defective design because it feels like your car is crumbling to pieces under you. New as it might be, this will be one of the most annoying cars to drive.
4. Chevrolet Cruze Turbo Troubles
If you like good fuel economy, the Cruze will get decent miles per gallon. However, those tiny turbo engines are notorious for developing coolant leaks and cracked pistons as they get older. You will either constantly be topping off fluids or dealing with an ever-on “check engine” light on the dashboard.
5. Dodge Avenger's Interior Blues
This car got called out a lot for its cabin full of cheap, scratchy plastics that rattle loudly and fall apart. Not only is the interior annoying, but the previous generation’s engines and transmissions just aren’t as smooth as their Japanese rivals. Drive an Avenger, and you’ll feel like you’re piloting a 10-year-old rental car.
6. Volkswagen Jetta Electrical Gremlins
German engineering sounds great until you’re dealing with a used Jetta that has mysterious power window failures or a dashboard that lights up like a Christmas tree. These cars can be quite fun to drive, but the cost of fixing specialized sensors and wiring issues can get out of hand very quickly. You should probably skip this one.
7. Early Hyundai Sonata Engine Issues
Early model years are known to have engine debris left over inside cylinders that can cause them to fail suddenly. Hyundai includes metallic material in its engines during assembly that, if not cleaned out, can cause your engine to seize without warning.
8. Mitsubishi Lancer's Outdated Tech
By the time this car was discontinued, it felt significantly behind the times in terms of safety features and cabin technology. The noisy engine and lack of sound insulation mean you’ll be hearing every bit of road noise on your way to work. It simply doesn't offer the refinement or the resale value that you'd find in a Civic or a Corolla from the same era.
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9. Mercedes-Benz C-Class Maintenance Traps
A cheap luxury vehicle is going to cost you more money in the long run since you’ll be paying premium prices for parts and labor. Look to avoid older Mercedes-Benz C-Class models. They’re pricey to fix, so you might look fancy for about a week until your first service pops up.
10. Fiat 500L Reliability Lows
This larger Fiat model consistently ranks near the bottom of reliability surveys because of its finicky transmission and poor build quality. It’s common to encounter issues with the touchscreen system. Most owners find that the quirky styling isn't enough to make up for the headache of constant repairs.
11. Mazda 6 Rust Problems
Newer Mazda vehicles are fantastic, but their predecessors aren’t as corrosion-resistant as you might think. The paint and sheet metal on older Mazdas weren’t very thick, so rust occurs easily around wheel wells and doors. Purchase one that’s been living in Colorado or Michigan, and you might as well kiss that payout goodbye.
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12. Saturn Ion Plastic Body Quirks
Even though the plastic body panels won't rust, the interior of the Ion was famously flimsy, and the ignition switches were part of a massive, dangerous recall. The center-mounted gauge cluster is also very polarizing. This can be quite distracting for drivers who are used to looking behind the steering wheel.
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13. Buick Verano's Disappearing Act
This was a short-lived attempt at a luxury compact car that didn't quite hit the mark and suffered from lackluster depreciation. It shares many components with the Chevy Cruze, meaning it also inherits some of those pesky engine and cooling system headaches. You might find it quiet and soft, but the lack of long-term support makes it a risky used purchase.
14. BMW 3 Series Cooling System Fatigue
Pretty much every BMW prior to the 2020 models will eventually need a new cooling system. This includes the water pump, plastic radiator, hoses, coolant, etc. If any of these components fail during operation, your engine can warp in as little as ten minutes.
15. Kia Optima Steering Noises
Some older versions of this sedan develop a "clunk" in the steering column that requires replacing a small but difficult-to-reach rubber coupling. While the part is cheap, the labor to take apart the dashboard and steering assembly certainly is not. You should listen closely for any clicking sounds when turning the wheel during your test drive to avoid this hidden cost.
16. Cadillac CTS Timing Chain Tension
The high-performance engines in these luxury sedans are known for timing chain stretch, which can lead to poor engine performance or total failure if ignored. Fixing this issue involves a very complex teardown of the engine that will likely cost several thousand dollars at a dealership. It's a beautiful car to look at, but the mechanical complexity isn’t worth it.
17. Ford Fusion Hybrid Battery Degradation
Buying an older hybrid sedan can be a gamble because the large battery packs eventually lose their ability to hold a charge. Replacing the hybrid battery in a high-mileage Fusion can cost more than the entire car is actually worth on the open market. You’ll lose all those fuel savings immediately.
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18. Subaru Impreza Head Gasket Leaks
Subaru vehicles of past generations often leaked oil from head gaskets as they reached high mileage. That means your engine will have to come out to repair it correctly, making for an expensive replacement. Ask to see service records that explicitly state the head gaskets were replaced before buying a lemon.
19. Jaguar XF Depreciation and Gremlins
A used Jaguar looks like an incredible bargain because they lose their value faster than almost any other car on the market. The reason for that steep drop is a reputation for finicky electronics and expensive, specialized parts that must be ordered from overseas. You’ll spend more time in a loaner car than in your own driver's seat if you pick a neglected one.
20. Pontiac G6 Steering Column Recalls
This was one of the last cars Pontiac made, and it was plagued by electric power steering failures that could make the car very difficult to control. While many were fixed under recall, the general build quality remains lackluster. It’s a budget-friendly option that usually ends up costing more in the long run due to its mediocre reliability.
