13 Worst Car Brands to Avoid in 2024

Getting a cool, stylish car is what everyone dreams of. But these are not the only factors you should look for in a vehicle.

There are undoubtedly other factors that must be considered. As much as you should know what to look for, you should also know what to avoid so you don’t regret it.

Based on users’ feedback and reliability issues, the worst car brands to avoid include Suzuki, Volkswagen, Nissan, Dodge, Subaru, Chrysler, Jeep and a few more.

You might be surprised to see their names now. However, ease up! These are not our picks; instead, their users have ranked them.

So, without any further ado, let’s get started.

Do Car Brands Really Matter?

Yes, they do matter. Choosing a car brand that matches your budget and is manufactured by a reputable company is important.

After all, if it doesn’t work properly or gets damaged, you may not be able to get your money back or replace the vehicle.

The same goes for cars not backed by an established car company.

The car brands you buy can make a big difference in your vehicle’s performance. And the brands you choose also tell much about your priorities and personality.

List of 13 Most Unreliable Car Brands

The following is the summary of the least reliable car brands I will discuss today.

1. Suzuki

The very first worst Japanese car brand that we have come up with today is none other than the very famous “Suzuki.” There is no doubt that Suzuki is one of the most popular brands.

But few models have compelled us to include Suzuki on the top of our “most unreliable car brands.”

Suzuki has a terrible build quality, so it performed poorly in the crash test. Suzuki is said to be offering a few of the most budget-friendly cars.

And getting crappy build quality and inadequate safety features on such a low budget is inevitable. 

Let’s go through the overall drawbacks of Suzuki cars.

Reasons to Avoid

• Difficult to find spare parts (especially in the US and Europe)
• Mundane and boring design
• Crappy build quality

2. Volkswagen

The next worst German car maker we want to tell you about is Volkswagen.

It may surprise you to see the name Volkswagen on our list, but if you don’t know much about this brand, let us do the job.

Talking about Volkswagen, this German maker, has been quite famous for creating top-quality vehicles on the market.

But, surprisingly, we have found that numerous users are not happy with the brand due to unreliable cars.

Most people have said that the main problem with this automaker brand is that it might be cutting costs to provide a somewhat less expensive “luxury sports experience.”

If we talk about the overall quality and design, there is no debate that this company deserves appreciation.

But regarding dependability, this manufacturer doesn’t have some good scores to show.

Before we move on to the next maker, let’s first look at this brand’s overall cons.

Reasons to Avoid

• Airbag malfunctioning
• Oil leakage in some models
• Suspension concerns

3. Nissan

Number third on our list is Nissan. This Japanese-originated company is called the “world’s largest electric manufacturer.” This brand does have a few of the top-selling cars to offer.

But, it is no lie that there are some not-so-appreciated models as well. One of the biggest problems with Nissan is that its cars are unreliable. 

Apart from the reliability, some consumers have also complained about malfunctioning sensors, non-responsive push-button ignitions, and some complaints about the CVT.

Also, the annual maintenance of Nissan might be a little expensive as the ownership costs are above average.

Below, we have mentioned some cons of Nissan. Check them out before moving to the next brand.

Reasons to Avoid

• Oil leakage in some models
• Rusty bodywork
• Problems with the AEB system

4. Dodge 

Dodge is The next brand we are about to throw some light on. Dodge is one of the most recognizable and oldest automakers in America.

This company is famous for its stylish sports cars and work trucks.

Now, enough for the good points, let’s talk about why we have included this brand in our list of worst car companies.

Dodge cars are said to be among the worst cars regarding reliability.

Many have complained about fragile dashboards, low mileage engines, lifters failing, etc.

Make sure to check out the below-mentioned drawbacks of Dodge.

Reasons to Avoid

• Lifter failures
• Exhaust failures
• Coolant leaks

5. Ford

Ford is a giant American car brand that has a poor reliability rating. The consumers have put it at the bottom end of the scale.

Ford is popular for its fantastic infotainment technology and better fuel economy offering. Also, it has a strong tradition of producing “high-horsepower muscle cars.”

Now back to the topic, no matter how good a brand Ford is, there are still some problems with a few of its models.

Consumers have complained about oil leakage and AC and ventilation problems. Few said that the exhaust produces terrible sounds.

Apart from these problems, the annual maintenance of Ford is also above average.

A few more issues have been mentioned below.

Reasons to Avoid

• Issues in the ignition system
• Oil leakage
• Spark plug failure

6. Hyundai

The next company, or the sixth-worst car brand we would like to tell you about, is the very famous South Korean company Hyundai.

Hyundai produces high-quality cars with the same features as Japanese cars but at a more affordable price.

Another thing that we like about Hyundai is the extended warranties.

However, there are still some significant problems that we came across while reviewing some specific models of this brand.

The main issue that almost everyone faced was engine failure. The engines of a few cars keep ticking off, which can lead to increased oil consumption.

Before we move on to the next brand, let’s go through the overall cons of this brand.

Reasons to Avoid

• Seat belts issues
• High fuel consumption
• Defects in the crash sensor

7. Cadillac

Cadillac used to be one of the best car brands regarding reliability and driving experience.

However, gone are the days when Cadillac was among everyone’s favorites.

Some models prove that the quality Cadillac used to offer back then is nowhere to be found.

This manufacturer received a lot of negative feedback. Consumers are frustrated due to the number of problems they face due to these cars.

The issues with this car brand are countless, from electric systems to suspension defects. Therefore, to include Cadillac in our list was pretty right.

If you are still unconvinced, look at other reasons you should avoid this brand.

Reasons to Avoid

• Engine issues
• Transmission failure
• Uncoated cue screen

8. Subaru

This Japanese car brand is the world’s twenty-first largest automaker.

The models produced by this maker are pretty well-known for their “exceptional combination of boxer engines and all-wheel drive.”

However, with time its reliability score has dropped. Many issues related to Subaru have been noticed.

But, most consumers have complained about the engines. Almost every model of Subaru is said to have gasket problems.

Moreover, Subaru engines are also noticed to be pretty noisy. Also, a few people said that some Subaru models had a very high repair cost.

We have mentioned the overall cons of this brand below.

Reasons to Avoid

• Fuel pump failure
• least reliable
• Defects in the brake light switch

9. Chevrolet

The next brand on our list of car companies to avoid is Chevrolet.

Now, this manufacturer is one of those popular brands. It is famous for producing reliable and affordable vehicles.

From beefy trucks to subcompact cars, this maker has it all to offer.

However, based on the 2019 ranking, Chevrolet Chevy was among the smallest reliable car-producing companies.

Chevy cars mostly have mechanical issues, electric systems malfunctioning, and EVAP issues. One Chevy model caused a lot of injuries and accidents.

That is because the rear wheels locked when the brakes were applied suddenly.

Let’s take a brief look at the overall flaws of this brand.

Reason to Avoid

• Pass lock failure
• Problems with the fuel level sensor
• Some models have caused fatalities

10. Chrysler

Chrysler was founded in 1925, which makes it one of the oldest car manufacturers. 

It is one of the “Three Big” automobile companies in the US. This brand is famous for its “well-engineered” cars.

However, if it’s on this list, it’s because there’s a good reason for it. Chrysler owners complained about their cars getting stalled suddenly while driving.

Few consumers also said that their cars would shut off while they were on the road.

This often-caused breakdown is the biggest reason that people call Chrysler unreliable. Moreover, the interiors of these cars are of the very lowest quality.

Take a look at the few more cons of Chrysler.

Reasons to Avoid

• Engine failure
• Transmission problems
• Intermittent ignition

11. Jeep

Jeep is one of the brands with the longest history and has significantly impacted the automotive industry. It is known for the unique and rugged designs of its cars.

However, despite the popularity, there are still a few issues why consumers have labeled this manufacturer as one of the least reliable car brands.

There were a lot of complaints about the integrated electronics.

While talking about a particular model of this company, few drivers complain that it is death wobbly, and it gets pretty challenging to control it in such a situation.

Let’s have a quick go-through of the overall cons of this brand. 

Reasons to Avoid

• Leakage in the exhaust
• Blocked fuel injectors
• Electric malfunctions

12. Mini

To see this brand here might be a little shocking for you because it has an excellent reputation. However, some people say otherwise.

There are many concerns about the poor build quality.

Consumers also complained that their model would make squeaking sounds in winter, and it would be comparatively quiet when it was summer.

Before we move toward the last brand, let’s briefly look at some drawbacks of this brand.

Reasons to Avoid

• Clutch failures
• Leakage problems
• Issues with the radiators

13. Land Rover

So, the last car brand that we have here is Land Rover. This manufacturer is one of the most “iconic British car manufacturing” companies.

Having the world’s most incredible “four-wheel-drive” vehicles is popular. 

However, it has been noted to have a very high number of issues. Most people complained about these cars being the least reliable.

At the same time, there were also some issues related to the failure of the air suspension systems.

Let’s look at why this company is on our list of the 13 most unreliable car brands.

Reasons to Avoid

• Leakage issues
• Air spring failure
• Problems in the steering shafts

Most Reliable Car Brands

So this was all about the worst car brands. Now, let us bring you 3 of the best and most reliable car brands you should consider.

1. Porsche

This German luxury and sports car manufacturer is one of the most valuable brands. This maker has a very high reputation when it comes to reliability.

Porsche has scored many wins, such as lap records, pole positions, etc. There isn’t any single area where this brand lacks. 

2. Tesla

Tesla cars with innovative technology, modern design, and high-quality performance are among the best cars worldwide.

Tesla cars are pretty cheap regarding fuel savings, services, and car insurance.

Tesla also has many safety features that can be quickly activated and deactivated.

3. Honda

You might already know that Honda is the world’s largest motorcycling manufacturer. 

However, it offers some of the most fuel-efficient and lightweight cars.

The cars produced by this American motor company are known for their reliability, durability, style, and efficiency.

Related

• Worst Tire Brands To Avoid
• Worst Gas Station
• Worst Car Battery Brands
• Travel Trailer Brands to Avoid
• Worst Car Audio Brands to Avoid

Final Words

This was all about the worst car brands in 2024. The companies that we have mentioned above might be popular.

But the main reason behind including these makers in our list was that people have faced issues with most of their models.

While reviewing these brands, we have concluded that any company with reliability issues, oil leakage, engine failures, and electronic failures should be avoided.

So, when you decide to buy a car, cross-check these factors.

Moreover, to help you decide, we have also mentioned the 3 best car brands. So, was your first car mentioned in our list?

Note: Considering a whole company terrible is not the right thing to do. The brand might produce some bad models, but it has a few good ones amid the bad ones. That is precisely what our review is based on. So, we selected these above-mentioned manufacturers because they have produced models that the majority of people are complaining about. One more thing to note is that these brands are selected based on our experience and users’ reviews. There isn’t any prejudice involved in this review. So, your opinion and choice may vary.

Christopher Evans

Website

Christopher Evans is a Mechanical Engineer and is a distinguished expert in tire and electronic appliance testing with over 15 years of experience. Holding certifications like Automotive Tire Service (TIA) and Certified Appliance Professional (CAP). He is also a member of the the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and has significantly contributed to safety standards and testing protocols in both industries. Evans is a respected speaker and award recipient.