7 Used SUVs That Are Notorious for Engine Problems (Don’t Waste Your Money)

Buying a used SUV is often one of the greatest car money moves, and investing in safety and performance. Unfortunately, some models have become notorious for engine problems.

It's not like you can do engine repairs on your own. And you certainly can't just wait to save money for a repair or replacement. When the engine goes, your vehicle just sits there.

How can you protect yourself from investing in a lemon? Start by avoiding these seven used SUVs with notoriously troublesome engines.

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Price range: $7,966 - $15,500

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee can seem like a great SUV to buy. For under $16,000, you can buy a four-wheel drive option capable of towing up to 7,400 pounds when properly equipped.

Take a look at consumer reviews, though, and you discover plenty of serious concerns. Some owners complain that a bad cylinder valve forced them to seek repairs, ultimately leaving them without vehicles for several weeks.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has more than 1,600 complaints about the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Price range: $4,995 - $21,990

The 2018 Ford Escape can give you a nimble engine, if you're willing to spring for the Titanium trim that comes with a turbocharged 2-liter engine.

So, why should you avoid the 2018 Ford Escape? A lot of owners say coolant leaks contributed to major engine issues.

NHTSA has received more than 1,360 complaints about the 2018 Ford Escape.

Average price: $6,500 - $21,590

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 has seriously impressive fuel economy that makes it attractive to cost-conscious buyers. With two-wheel drive, expect 29 combined mpg. With four-wheel drive, you'll still get 26 combined mpg. Few SUVs can compete with that.

Still, one driver says the engine light came on around the 1,300-mile mark, and the car became sluggish. Not a good sign. Even worse? Mazda couldn't find a problem.

More than 475 complaints have been sent to NHTSA about the 2016 Mazda CX-5.

Average price: $11,634 - $28,998

Often, test drivers give engines good marks. But they rarely drive them for very long. They're mostly checking for acceleration and noise. Finally, we've reached a point where even those people have bad things to say.

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe's lackluster 2.4-liter inline-4 engine is bad enough that an Edmunds reviewer complained about its sluggishness. The transmission undermines anything potentially positive about the engine. Forget trying to enjoy your drive with this SUV.

Even though it's a relatively recent vehicle, the NHTSA has received 160 complaints about the 2019 Santa Fe.

Average price: $9,450 - $23,998

On the Edmunds site, 2015 Honda CR-V owners give their SUVs 3.4 out of 5 stars. Not great, but far from the worst. Most people complain about how much the vehicle vibrates, which doesn't seem like it should be a problem given that the CR-V has a modest 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 185 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. It just shouldn't be powerful enough to cause such an issue.

And yet, here we are.

Plus, the NHTSA has received nearly 650 complaints about the 2015 CR-V.

Average price: $11,990 - $26,590

On the one hand, the 2012 Jeep Wrangler seems pretty decent. There's nothing wrong with a 3.6-liter V6 that gives you 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque.

So, what's the problem? Basically, you never know if you bought a lemon or not. Some Wranglers will go on for years. Others will, as one owner says, leave you stranded on the side of a major highway less than a month after buying it. It's a risk you don't have to take. There are more reliable options out there.

The NHTSA has received more than 800 complaints about the 2012 Wrangler.

Average price: $14,500 - $39,998

Chevrolet makes several versions of the 2016 Tahoe. Some of them are undoubtedly better than others. Still, Edmunds gives it a C rating, pointing potential buyers to alternatives like the Ford Expedition and the Toyota Sequoia.

What do owners say? Unreliable fuel injectors, super-loud engine noise, and problematic motor mounts that cause rough idling.

The 2016 Tahoe has nine recalls, and the NHTSA has received more than 240 complaints about it.

Those are a lot of problems for a used SUV that could cost you $40,000.

SUVs, even used ones, should offer remarkable reliability. What's the point of owning one that will let you down mid-ride?

If you find one of these models at a lower-than-average price, you might think buying one is still a good investment. You might want to keep more cash in your wallet and reconsider, given that engine replacements can cost $2,000 to $10,000.

Are you really saving money after you pay a repair shop that much? Almost certainly not.