The study covers 2020 models within the first three years of ownership. These vehicles were manufactured before the pandemic, before supply chain issues, labor shortages, and plant shutdowns may have introduced problems to assembly lines.
J.D. Power noted that 2022 vehicles, manufactured at the height of the pandemic and the months following, may show more problems than older models when they are assessed next year.
The study also found that luxury vehicles tend to have more problems than other cars, averaging 205 problems per 100 vehicles for 2020 models. The reason is that luxury manufacturers often roll out new tech first. By the time technology reaches mainstream cars, any bugs have likely been fixed.
Whether you’re seeking a luxury vehicle or a mainstream brand, you can often save money by buying a car that’s just three years old, while minimizing the problems you might face with older vehicles approaching 100,000 miles or more.
New cars depreciate in value by 40-50% in the first three years of ownership, according to RealCarTips.com. You may even be able to afford the luxury vehicle of your dreams if you are willing to buy a pre-owned model.
Keep in mind that loans for used cars often have higher interest rates if you need to finance the purchase. If you can, save up money to pay cash, or at least pay a larger down payment, to reduce loan costs.
RealCarTips.com also recommended purchasing an extended warranty for a three-year-old vehicle. Most warranties cost between $1,000 and $2,000 according to the website and can save you thousands if you keep the car for several years.
Finally, you can save money by purchasing a used vehicle that has high dependability ratings, further reducing the odds that you’ll need to pay for costly repairs.
With this in mind, let’s look at some cars you might want to avoid if you are buying a used vehicle in 2024, based on the J.D. Power survey and the number of problems reported with these brands.
1. Land Rover
The Land Rover brand has a poor reputation for reliability, with 273 problems reported for every 100 vehicles, according to J.D. Power. Consumer Reports also ranked Land Rover as the 17th out of 17 luxury car brands and the last (32nd out of 32) amongst all car brands that year.
2. Lincoln
Lincoln luxury vehicles were found to have 259 problems per 100 cars according to Consumer Reports. The reliability rating for Lincoln models is 23 out of 30. The 2020 Lincoln MKZ, which uses the Ford Fusion powertrain, received a good reliability rating from Consumer Reports. However, larger luxury models such as the Lincoln Navigator may not be worth the high price tag.
3. Audi
J.D. Power reported that Audi vehicles had 252 issues per 100 cars. The Audi with plate number 1 scored only 49 out of 100 for reliability, receiving the lowest possible rating for owner satisfaction.
4. Ford
Ford has recently issued a recall for 113,000 F-150 pick-up trucks from model years 2021 to 2023 due to a potential risk with the rear axle hub. This issue could cause the truck to roll away when in park or lose power while in motion. It’s important to note that the recall does not affect 2020 models. Additionally, J.D. Power has reported a high number of complaints about the F-150 and other Ford vehicles, with 249 complaints per 100 cars.
5. Tesla
Tesla electric vehicles ranked behind Ford with 242 problems per 100 cars. However, J.D. Power reported on KBB.com that data on Tesla vehicles may be incomplete because the manufacturer does not share owner information with the research company.
6. Mercedes-Benz
The Mercedes Benz brand didn’t perform well in reliability ratings from J.D. Power, with 240 problems per 100 cars. Consumer Reports rated the 2020 C-Class with a score of 37 out of 100 for reliability, highlighting brakes and build quality as significant issues.
7. Jaguar
Jaguar has had a poor reputation for reliability for many years, and recent reports indicate that there has been little improvement. A recent report by GOBankingRates identified the 2023 Jaguar F-Pace as one of six luxury cars to avoid. In addition, 2020 Jaguar models had 229 problems for every 100 cars.
8. Chrysler
According to JD Power, Chrysler vehicles have 226 problems per 100 cars. The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica has a reliability rating of 32, which is less than half of its competitor, the Toyota Sienna minivan, as reported by Consumer Reports. Consumer Reports rated Chrysler 12th out of 15 mainstream car brands.
9. Volkswagen
Volkswagen vehicles from the 2020 model year had 216 issues per 100 cars, based on J.D. Power research. Consumer Reports rated Volkswagen 27 out of 30 for reliability.
10. Volvo
Coming in with 215 errors out of 100 vehicles, Volvo ranks among the top 10 least reliable 2020 model year cars on the road today. However, the reliability varies depending on the specific model. For example, the entry-level Volvo XC40 SUV received high ratings from Consumer Reports. On the other hand, the 2020 Volvo V60 wagon earned a reliability score of just 20 out of 100.
Bottom Line
When purchasing a used car, you can save money, but it’s important to find a vehicle that is less likely to have mechanical issues as it gets older. Consumer reviews and research from sources like J.D. Power and Consumer Reports can help you choose a reliable brand that will last for years.
