These 10 Vehicles Are Most Likely to Blindside You With a Repair Bill

A big repair bill can turn an otherwise affordable vehicle into a budget nightmare. And some models are much more expensive to keep on the road than others. That's why buying an automobile with large repair costs is one of the ways smart people waste money.

Here are 10 vehicles that are the most likely to blindside you with massive repair bills.

Editor's note: All vehicle data comes from CarEdge.

Smart Drivers, Smarter Savings.

Compare car insurance rates in Ohio

See if lower rates are available

Currently Insured?

Yes

No

Multiple Cars?

Yes

No

Homeowner

Yes

No

Age

30-39

• 18-29
• 30-39
• 40-49
• 50-59
• 60-69
• 70-79
• 80+

Compare Quotes

By clicking the button above, I understand and agree that this site uses site visit recording technology (provided by Trusted Form, Jornaya, and Microsoft Clarity) Privacy Policy

Smart Drivers, Smarter Savings.

Great News! We’ve located some excellent quote options just for you.

Where can we send you info and recommendations?

Enter Email

Bundle Home & Auto to Save More?

Yes

No

Active Military?

No

Yes

Compare Quotes

By clicking the button above, I understand and agree that this site uses site visit recording technology (provided by Trusted Form, Jornaya, and Microsoft Clarity) Privacy Policy

The RAM 3500 tops the list with an estimated $27,245 in maintenance and repair costs over 10 years, which is $8,465 more than average.

It also has an 81.79% chance of needing a major repair. That means owners aren't just budgeting for routine maintenance. They're also facing a much higher likelihood that a repair will cost more than $500.

For buyers who actually need the RAM 3500's heavy-duty capability, those expenses may be part of the deal. But if you don't regularly tow or haul heavy loads, the long-term cost could be difficult to justify.

You don't need to step up to RAM's heavy-duty lineup to face steep upkeep costs. The RAM 1500 is expected to cost $19,201 over 10 years, or $8,748 above average.

Its probability of a major repair reaches 56.60%.

Full-size pickups are popular because they can handle everything from commuting to towing. However, buyers focused primarily on purchase price or monthly payments may underestimate just how much the truck could cost to maintain over the long term.

Heavy-duty capability comes with another potentially heavy expense. CarEdge projects $15,342 in 10-year maintenance and repair costs for the 3500HD.

That's $3,438 more than average. It also has a 44.77% major-repair probability.

That doesn't automatically make the Silverado 3500HD a bad buy, particularly for drivers who need its work capacity. Still, maintenance should be part of the budget alongside fuel, financing, insurance, and depreciation.

The Gladiator combines Wrangler-like capability with a pickup bed, but its long-term maintenance costs aren't cheap.

Expect around $12,640 over 10 years, which is $2,187 above average. There's also a 37.02% chance of a major repair.

That higher repair probability is worth keeping in mind if you're stretching your budget to buy one. Leaving some room for unexpected expenses could make ownership less stressful later.

Family minivans aren't immune to expensive upkeep. The Pacifica is projected to cost $11,453 to maintain and repair during its first decade.

That's $2,180 above average, while it has a 32.82% major-repair probability.

Minivans often pile on miles through school runs, road trips, and daily errands. If you're considering a used Pacifica, checking its maintenance history before buying could be especially important. The last thing you want is to have to deal with massive repairs to the family car.

The Durango could take another bite out of your budget after the purchase price.

CarEdge estimates $11,445 in maintenance and repair costs over 10 years, or $2,933 more than average. Its chance of a major repair is around 32.01%.

That combination of higher routine costs and above-average repair risk can make a difference for families already dealing with fuel, loan payments, and other ownership expenses.

America's ubiquitous full-size pickup can also come with sizable long-term upkeep costs.

The F-150 is expected to rack up $11,241 in maintenance and repairs over a decade, $788 above average. It has a 31.63% major-repair probability.

Because there are so many F-150 trims, engines, and configurations on the used market, shoppers should also look closely at the history of the specific truck they're considering rather than relying on the model name alone. Additionally, potential buyers should think twice about purchasing a new one.

Going with a smaller pickup doesn't necessarily eliminate the risk of repair.

The Ranger has a projected 10-year maintenance bill of $10,938, which is $485 above average. It also has a 31.63% chance of a major repair.

The Ranger may cost less to buy than some full-size pickups, but the maintenance figures are a reminder that a lower sticker price doesn't always translate into lower ownership costs.

The Expedition is another Ford that could require more room in your maintenance budget.

CarEdge projects $10,225 in costs over 10 years, or $1,713 more than average. It has a 27.48% major-repair probability.

Large SUVs already tend to have higher fuel and tire costs, so even a modest increase in expected repair expenses can push the total cost of ownership beyond what buyers anticipate.

The GT-R is an interesting exception. Its estimated $9,229 in 10-year maintenance and repair costs still comes in $1,355 above average.

However, its 17.94% major-repair probability is actually about 2% better than average.

In other words, the GT-R's expected upkeep costs are high even though CarEdge doesn't project an unusually high likelihood of a major repair. Performance-car parts, service, and routine maintenance can still make ownership costly even without a major mechanical failure. These are all things to keep in mind if you're looking to purchase a sports car.

Big repair bills don't show up on a schedule, but the odds are largely baked into the vehicle you pick. Every model here costs more than average to keep running, and most carry a meaningfully higher risk that a single repair will exceed $500.

Even an average car isn't cheap to maintain. AAA puts maintenance, repair, and tire costs at 11.04 cents per mile, or roughly $138 a month at 15,000 miles a year. You can't talk a mechanic down on a transmission, so start where you do have leverage and save money on car insurance by comparing quotes before your next renewal.