Buying a car is one of the biggest decisions many of us will make — both financially and emotionally. While it is easy to get swept up in stylish looks or the latest tech features, long-term reliability is what truly determines whether your ownership experience will be smooth or stressful.
A dependable car saves you time, money, and headaches. An unreliable one can leave you stranded at the repair shop, wondering how things went so wrong.
Service advisors have a unique window into this reality. They are the ones who hear the complaints, coordinate repairs, and witness firsthand which models spend too much time on lifts.
Their insight can help steer buyers away from cars with known reliability issues — sparing you costly repairs and long-term frustration.
Below, we highlight five cars that service advisors often caution drivers to avoid. We break down the most common problems, explain why these vehicles raise red flags, and offer guidance to help you make a more informed purchase.
1. Land Rover Range Rover
Common Issues
The Land Rover Range Rover may look like the ultimate luxury SUV, but beneath its sophisticated surface lies a host of reliability headaches.
Electrical failures are especially common — from dead instrument clusters and faulty indicators to finicky infotainment systems. The air suspension, designed to deliver that buttery-smooth ride, is notorious for leaking and failing early.
Transmission problems, especially in models from 2013 onward, can cause sudden loss of power or even stalling on the road.
According to What Car?, nearly half of Range Rovers under three years old have reported faults, with electrical issues making up a staggering 93% of the complaints.
Why Service Advisors Avoid It
Service advisors know Range Rovers all too well. These vehicles often require complex, expensive repairs that can spiral into the thousands.
Annual repair costs hover around $1,250, far above the luxury SUV average. Worse, owners frequently experience multiple problems in quick succession, souring the luxury experience they were hoping for.
Impact on Ownership
Owning a Range Rover can feel like a constant gamble. While you enjoy luxury features, you also face the stress of unexpected repairs and the risk of major bills — such as a $4,000 suspension fix or a $2,000 electrical repair.
Resale value takes a hit too, as buyers know what they are getting into. Service advisors often guide buyers toward more dependable luxury alternatives, aiming to spare them these ongoing frustrations.
2. Jeep Cherokee
Common Issues
The Jeep Cherokee has strong off-road credentials, but many owners have learned the hard way that it comes with serious reliability concerns.
Models from 2014 to 2021, in particular, have been plagued by transmission troubles — especially the CVT, which is prone to rough shifting, lurching, or outright failure.
Engine stalls, mysterious electrical glitches, and the infamous “death wobble” — where the front axle shakes violently at highway speeds — only add to the list of worries.
Consumer Reports gave the 2019 Cherokee a dismal two-out-of-five reliability rating, ranking it among the least reliable compact SUVs.
Why Service Advisors Avoid It
Service advisors regularly see Cherokees roll into the shop with serious — and expensive — problems. Transmission repairs can top $3,000, and addressing the “death wobble” is a safety priority that cannot be ignored.
Electrical issues, such as wiring failures, are frustratingly time-consuming to diagnose. To help customers avoid this cycle of repairs, advisors often recommend more reliable SUVs in the same price range.
Impact on Ownership
While the Cherokee’s rugged charm draws in adventurous drivers, the ownership experience can quickly become a rollercoaster.
Breakdowns and expensive repairs can lead to long stretches without your vehicle and mounting frustration.
Safety concerns, especially related to the suspension, further diminish confidence. Predictably, resale values have suffered, as word of the Cherokee’s troubles has spread. Service advisors want drivers to enjoy their SUVs, not fear the next repair bill.
3. GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Tahoe, Cadillac Escalade
Common Issues
The GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Cadillac Escalade share the same platform and a once-envied 6.2-liter V8 engine. But that engine — particularly in 2019–2024 models — has been a source of significant headaches.
Owners have reported catastrophic engine failures, lifter malfunctions, and complete loss of power, sometimes with little warning.
As Norman Taylor & Associates has reported, these problems can be not only costly but also dangerous, especially if they occur at highway speeds.
Add in additional issues with suspension components and electrical systems, and you have a trio of SUVs that can turn from dream vehicles to financial burdens.
Why Service Advisors Avoid It
Replacing a 6.2-liter V8 engine can cost $10,000 or more — and that is assuming you can even get one quickly, given supply chain delays.
Service advisors have seen too many frustrated owners grappling with unexpected failures in vehicles that are still relatively new.
Between the sky-high repair costs and the risk of sudden power loss, many advisors now recommend more dependable full-size SUVs instead.
Impact on Ownership
These SUVs deliver luxury and muscle, but for many owners, they also bring a lingering fear of breakdowns.
Repair costs can quickly outstrip what many buyers anticipated, and resale values have begun to reflect the public’s awareness of these problems.
Service advisors aim to steer customers toward alternatives that deliver the same size and performance — without the lurking risk of an engine failure.
4. Nissan Sentra
Common Issues
The Nissan Sentra has been a popular choice in the compact car market, but it has battled reliability concerns, particularly in models from 2012 to 2016. Its CVT transmission is the biggest offender, with widespread reports of shuddering, slipping, and total failure.
Engine stalling, rough running, and persistent brake problems also top the complaint list. CarComplaints.com even labeled the 2013–2016 Sentras with its “Avoid Like the Plague” badge, a dubious honor no vehicle wants.
Why Service Advisors Avoid It
Service advisors have seen too many Sentras come through their bays with failed transmissions — sometimes costing more to replace than the car is worth.
The emotional strain on owners, who often feel trapped by a car that no longer delivers affordable transportation, is another reason advisors hesitate to recommend the Sentra.
With multiple class-action lawsuits over transmission failures, the Sentra’s reliability record has been hard to overlook.
Impact on Ownership
While the Sentra’s low purchase price is appealing, the long-term costs can be daunting. Transmission replacements often exceed $3,000, and the risk of getting stranded adds an unwelcome layer of stress.
Unsurprisingly, resale values have dropped as word has spread about the car’s troubles. Advisors frequently steer buyers toward better-built compact models, such as the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla, to avoid potential heartbreak.
5. Dodge Journey
Common Issues
The Dodge Journey has long struggled with a reputation for poor reliability. Models from 2009 and 2010 have been especially problematic, with overheating engines, faulty electrical systems, and premature brake wear all making life difficult for owners. Water leaks into the cabin only compound the list of frustrations.
According to CarParts.com and Milosch Used Cars, the 2009 Journey alone has racked up more than 3,000 owner complaints — a staggering number for a single model year.
Why Service Advisors Avoid It
For service advisors, the Dodge Journey represents a perfect storm of problems. Engine overheating can result in a $5,000 head gasket repair, while electrical gremlins and leaking water drive owners back to the shop again and again.
Knowing how emotionally draining this can be for customers, advisors often recommend steering clear of the Journey altogether.
Impact on Ownership
The Journey’s combination of mechanical and comfort issues creates a frustrating ownership experience. Owners may find themselves frequently without their vehicle, facing one repair after another.
Its poor reputation also makes it a tough sell on the used market. To help drivers avoid this cycle of disappointment, service advisors typically guide buyers toward midsize SUVs with stronger reliability records.