Thinking of buying a car for your personal or office use? These lists will go a long way in helping you make a decision for types of cars to buy.

Perhaps a vehicle catches your eye - one that your research hasn’t told you much about. Your emotions can take over and you may find that vehicle parked in your driveway. After a little while, you start to experience issues time and time again, and end up sinking all your money into keeping your vehicle on the road.

In addition to knowing which cars are good to buy, it would be great to know which ones to avoid. Some cars just simply have more problems than others on average, and you shouldn’t expect that your experience will be any different if you buy one.

With that in mind, here are the top 10 most problematic vehicles:

1. Ford Explorer

The popular Ford SUV has had its ups and downs. When it was first introduced in the nineties, the Explorer made a name for itself because it was smaller than its big brother, the full-size Bronco. It achieved better fuel mileage and had some of the luxuries that weren’t introduced in the larger truck-like SUVs.

After several years, the Ford Explorer became plagued with problems that tarnished its name. It was nicknamed the “Exploder” after Firestone tire issues caused accidents. Then, the 2002 Explorer became the most troublesome vehicle on record after transmission issues became evident. Thousands of Ford Explorers required transmission replacements because they simply degraded internally.

If there’s one vehicle to avoid over all others, it’s the 2002 to 2004 Ford Explorer.


Source
http://www.autoreportng.com/2017/03/top-10-most-problematic-cars-to-avoid.html

2. Honda Accord

If you’re a gambler, you may want to place bets on how long your Honda Accord’s brakes will last. In particular, the rear brakes on the mid-size Honda wear out at various intervals. One of the most reported problems of any car, Honda Accord rear brakes have been documented to last from as low as 11,000 miles before requiring brake pad and rotor replacement.

The normal symptoms include a significant brake pulsation that can cause you nearly to lose control of your car. Squealing and grinding when you press the brake pedal is common, so don’t be surprised when you’re informed at every oil change that you’ll need new brakes soon.

The culprit vehicles are eighth-generation Honda Accords, from 2008 to 2012.

Source
http://www.autoreportng.com/2017/03/top-10-most-problematic-cars-to-avoid.html

3. Honda Civic

The world’s best-selling car also has a reputation as one of the most problematic. The Honda Civic has developed notoriety for throwing on the Check Engine Light right before the transmission fails. Just to be clear, the problem is the transmission.

Many transmission failures have been noted right around 60,000 miles. It starts out as with a hesitation to accelerate that quickly becomes a hesitation to move at all, where the engine is revving up like the transmission is in neutral. Internal issues mean a transmission replacement that can cost thousands of dollars if not covered by powertrain warranty.

The offending vehicles are Honda Civics from 2001 to 2005, though other years may still exhibit transmission problems to a lesser extent.


Source
http://www.autoreportng.com/2017/03/top-10-most-problematic-cars-to-avoid.html

4. Ford F-150

Again, the best-selling truck in North America has made the list as one of the most problematic vehicles. You may think that your F-150’s 5.4-liter engine with broken spark plugs is the reason, but you’d be mistaken.

Ford’s popular pickup is here because of frequent, recurring window problems. In most cases, the window rolls down easily enough but won’t roll back up. It could be any of the windows, although the most frequent complaint is the driver’s front window, also the most used window in any vehicle. The correction is simply a replacement window regulator, but your guess is as good as the next guy’s about when you’ll experience it again. It’s like window roulette.

You can expect window problems in your eleventh-generation Ford F-150, from 2004 to 2008.

Source
http://www.autoreportng.com/2017/03/top-10-most-problematic-cars-to-avoid.html

5. Dodge Ram

Just because you change your oil doesn’t mean you won’t have engine problems. That’s exactly the case with Dodge Rams equipped with the 4.7-liter engine in the early part of this millennium.

Oil sludge buildup occurs in the oil pan and in virtually every gallery inside the engine, eventually starving the engine of lubrication and cooling provided by the engine oil flow. The end result is a sick engine that requires in-depth repairs or a replacement, depending on the extent of the damage. Engine oil changes may extend your engine life a little, but likely won’t prevent the issue forever.

It’s 2002 to 2008 Dodge Rams with the 4.7-liter engine that are particularly bad, but don’t think other engines are exempt from the problem.

Source
http://www.autoreportng.com/2017/03/top-10-most-problematic-cars-to-avoid.html

6. Dodge Journey

While you’re making your car payments for your Dodge Journey, be sure to set aside money for rear brake replacements. With astounding frequency, the Journey’s rear pads and rotors need to be replaced - from as soon as the second oil change interval.

You’ll hear grinding and squealing when you press the brake, but because it happens so often, you’d never think the brake pads are worn out until you have to replace the rotors as well.

2009 to 2011 Dodge Journeys are the most affected by this issue.

7. Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester is unfortunately not the only vehicle in their lineup affected by their most problematic issue. It also affects the Impreza, Outback, Legacy and Baja - but only for vehicles equipped with the naturally aspirated four-cylinder.

The problem is a leaking head gasket. A protective coating on the gasket surface wears off and leaks coolant into the oil, which eventually trashes the engine. Head gasket replacement is required on virtually every vehicle built with that engine - or worse, an engine rebuild or replacement.

The worst offender is the Subaru Forester from 1999 to 2010.

I think it depends on the user, don't believe in problematic vehicle

8. Chevrolet Equinox

It may come as a surprise, but the Equinox never came with a diesel engine. It just sounds like it did. Timing chains are the problem, and the symptoms can range from just a rattling noise to a complete engine failure.

The timing chains on affected Equinox vehicles stretch, causing a rattle at first, an engine light next, then timing issues for a rough run, and potentially a broken chain that prevents the engine from running altogether. The symptoms can be noted at 10,000 miles in some cases.

Chevrolet Equinoxes requiring timing chain replacement are equipped with a four-cylinder engine from 2010 to 2012.

9. Hyundai Elantra

Take your pick of problems with the Hyundai Elantra. There are a handful of common complaints across a wide range of years, but most commonly noted are tire blowouts, grinding brakes, and rough-running engines.

Specifically, grinding brakes are the most common issues the Elantra experiences. Brake pads and rotors have to be replaced frequently - way more often than should be necessary.

2013 Hyundai Elantras are by far the most problematic.

10. Chrysler Intrepid

If you’ve owned a car from the second generation of Chrysler Intrepid, chances are you’ve experienced this issue at some point - or possibly more than once. The Intrepids built with 2.7-liter engines are notoriously bad for engine sludge build-up, whether or not the oil has been changed when required.

You’ll typically experience an engine knock to start, the Check Engine Light illuminated, and eventually your engine will just stop running altogether. Engine rebuilds can be performed if the internal damage isn’t too bad, but replacement is the most likely alternative.

1999 to 2002 Chrysler Intrepids with the 2.7-liter engine are the worst of this bunch.

If you own one of these vehicles already, don’t lose heart. All of these problems can be corrected, and Your professional Mechanic can do it for you, just be ready to spend extra money.


Source
http://www.autoreportng.com/2017/03/top-10-most-problematic-cars-to-avoid.html

What's your take on these lists?

Any contradiction?

Lalasticlala, seun

I dont think a car will bag the title best selling car and still be more problematic to the ones it beats to win. It beats every sense of logical reasoning.

Why did it win that title if it is Problematic? In Nigeria, that civic is a very common car but not as problematic as you make it seem.

How can excessive wear on rear brake pad translate to a problematic car?

If a firestone tire is known to explode, all cars with the same tire will automatically be problematic cars. If the user changes that tire does the car cease to become problematic?

I think problematic as a word needs to be redefined.

I know that ford will make the number one, even two, three and more before kia of no second hand value.

Civic 'best selling', f150 'best selling' according to your write up. And u still label them most problematic.
I don't understand.

The best selling vehicles in the world is still the Ford F-150 for the past decade about 750,000 new vehicles sold every year

Op is not far from the truth about Honda Accord, but I must say, it has a better handling than most cars, and the engine is problem-free (as long as you do your routine maintenance).


I can never buy Ford Explorer no matter the technology in it. Very useless car.

Op where is Toyota on your list? Shock absorber and dashboard cracking problems.

Honda baby boy is ok for me to move my ministry to where ever I want. No where it cannot take me to in Nigeria.

Angelb4:
Honda baby boy is ok for me to move my ministry to where ever I want. No where it cannot take me to in Nigeria.

OP I totally disagree with you bro.

I have never seen a single problematic car in my years of using vehicle. All balls down to users. Believe me this your list is someone Best ride, that may av been serving for years.

I also have one con's here on nairaland on my nissan quest but someone encouraged me Costee and till today I don't av single regret or anything.

Na naija factor or general factor u base u assertion on?

Talking from experience l and coming from a family and extended family of Honda freaks, I will say that the only good thing about Honda is that they have better cosmetic designs than Toyota both interior and exterior but generally speaking, Honda is a terrible brand anytime.
You can't embark on a journey of up to 500 miles with a Honda with confidence. That explains why you don't see any commercial transport company including any Honda brand in their fleet. They have very poor reliability ratio.
If Honda Accord troubles you particularly "Baby Boy, End of Discussion, Discussion Continues, and Evil Spirit", you'd think some with craft covers haven taken up the task to mess up your mobility.

Thank God Benz isn't there

Thanks

I agree with the Ford Explorer

hmm

u

Angelb4:
Honda baby boy is ok for me to move my ministry to where ever I want. No where it cannot take me to in Nigeria.

I know someone who use Honda Accord of those year you mentioned above, but he hasn't had any serious problem with it.

Automobile problem is relative, you might be fortunate to get a better car that won't have the aforementioned issues...

K