In a country that often prioritizes bigger, despite the price, SUVs are a popular choice of vehicle. Americans adore SUVs for a variety of reasons, most of which have to do with their size. The larger vehicles are equipped with ample horsepower, are higher off the ground to improve visibility and are roomy, accommodating up to eight passengers for their .
There is also the added belief that because of their size, SUVs are safer than smaller cars, making them an obvious choice for many families. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the SUV categories of small, midsize, luxury midsize and large SUVs are littered with “Top Safety Picks” and Top Safety Pick+s.” But that doesn’t mean some aren’t prone to high repair occurrences and maintenance costs.
With more Americans choosing to buy used over new, it pays to know what models and years to avoid and consider looking for SUVs with strong reliability ratings and lower maintenance costs. GOBankingRates asked auto expert Chris Pyle at his opinion on the matter, and the seasoned mechanic responded with six SUVs that have provided more than their fair share of expensive, time-consuming repairs over the years. SUVs are not inherently unreliable, but several factors can contribute to some models having higher maintenance and repair needs compared to others.
According to Pyle, early 2000 Explorers are “Known for transmission and rear axle gear failure. The parts are not excessively priced but these a.