10 Notoriously Unreliable Used SUVs Under $20K You Should Avoid Buying

Purchasing a used SUV can be a great way for car shoppers to save money. Unlike brand-new SUVs, used models won't lose as much of their value due to depreciation.

However, just as it's wise to shop around with different insurance companies to save money on car insurance, consumers should do their homework before purchasing a used SUV. While the sticker price may be affordable, getting stuck with an unreliable car can quickly turn into a money pit.

Here are 10 used SUVs under $20,000 you should steer clear of if you want to avoid an unreliable vehicle.

Average price: $6,734

Consumers have filed a staggering 778 complaints against the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A whopping 181 of those complaints are due to issues with the 2010 Equinox's powertrain. Another 268 complaints are due to issues with the vehicle's engine.

The agency has also launched recalls over issues with the 2010 Equinox's electrical system, powertrain, seats, and visibility.

Average price: $7,586

There have been 39 complaints against the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder with the NHTSA. Those complaints range from airbags and engine issues to problems with this SUV's powertrain.

The NHTSA has also issued recalls for this vehicle because of issues with its airbags, suspension, and steering. In addition, the agency has investigated the 2010 Pathfinder for transmission failures.

Average price: $11,641

Consumers have filed 244 complaints against the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe with the NHTSA. The biggest problem for this SUV has been its engine, which has received 151 consumer complaints so far.

In 2023, the NHTSA also issued a very urgent recall for the 2015 Santa Fe due to a faulty ABS unit that could cause the engine to catch on fire while parked. This serious issue potentially affected 1,649,478 vehicles.

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Average price: $12,421

The 2015 Ford Explorer has many complaints on file with the NHTSA — 1,446 complaints against this SUV, to be exact.

A whopping 215 of those complaints are because of problems with the engine, while another 247 have to do with structural issues in the vehicle.

Average price: $12,981

Consumers have filed a mind-boggling 2,285 complaints against the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Of these complaints, 386 are against this SUV's engine, 464 complaints are due to issues with its electrical system, and another 203 complaints are over problems with its airbags.

The NHTSA has also issued 19 different recalls for the 2014 Grand Cherokee, while investigating it for issues with its powertrain, forward collision avoidance, airbags, and electrical system.

Average price: $13,952

The 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has almost a dozen consumer complaints on file with the NHTSA for issues ranging from its steering, service brakes, airbags, and engine.

Some reviewers have also criticized this vehicle for having poor handling and ride quality. Others have also complained about the 2019 Eclipse Cross's lackluster ride quality and unreliable transmission.

Average price: $14,677

Consumers have filed 639 complaints against the 2015 Honda CR-V with the NHTSA. A staggering 239 of those were due to the CR-V's engine alone. There are also 76 complaints filed around issues with the vehicle's electrical system.

The NHTSA is also investigating the 2015 CR-V for airbag inflator issues as part of the Takata airbag recall that has rocked the automotive industry.

Average price: $15,001

There have been 26 complaints with the NHTSA against the 2020 Dodge Journey. These range from issues with the SUV's airbags, electrical system, service brakes, steering, engine, and more.

The NHTSA is also currently investigating this SUV because of issues with its backup camera and locks failing.

Average price: $17,538

With 153 consumer complaints on file with the NHTSA, the 2013 BMW X5 M is a less-than-reliable vehicle. This luxury SUV has received 43 complaints for engine issues and another 36 complaints for problems with the powertrain.

Most alarmingly, the NHTSA issued recalls for the 2013 X5 M's airbag inflators, which may explode during a crash. The agency also gave the 2013 X5 M a mediocre three out of five stars for its driver and passenger protection frontal crash testing.

Average price: $19,332

The NHTSA has issued three recalls for the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport due to problems with its seatbelts, electrical system, and structure. Consumers have also filed numerous complaints with the agency regarding the 2021 Rogue Sport's engine, powertrain, and steering.

CarGurus estimates that the average price of a used car is $27,217, which means now is an excellent time to find a good deal on an affordable SUV.

However, consumers should steer clear of unreliable vehicles with excessive complaints or recalls over safety, engine, or powertrain issues. This could result in high maintenance or insurance costs, which makes them less than smart money moves for car owners.