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Reliability is one of the main advantages of many cheap SUVs, but buying the wrong one can cost you a fortune in the long run.

The SUV market today is not short of options. Some of them emphasize the sport side things, others on the utility, while others focus on running your pockets dry with heavy maintenance and repair costs.

A new SUV is always an exciting buy, and so is a used SUV that offers value for money in the long run. The goal of buying a cheap used SUV is to get that SUV reliability and not worry about spending a fortune on maintenance. Buying a used SUV gives you the benefit of knowing the kinds of problems and the kind of vehicle to avoid. If you buy one of the following ten unreliable SUVs, you might be in a very expensive situation.

Major engine problems are a cause for concern for most 2011 and 2012 Chevy Suburban owners. Sometimes a change in the timing belt will be enough to fix the issue, while others call for a full rebuild. The 2011 model also ailed from a poor drive system and brake issues.

The 2012 model faced problems with the transmission and the climate system. There were also reports about suspension issues. You should avoid these years of the Chevy Suburban or end up paying a premium to get these issues fixed.

Related: Avoid Buying These 11th-Generation Chevrolet Suburban Model Years Used

These two Durangos are synonymous with poor reliability ratings. The 2016 Dodge Durango had many customers complaining about major and minor engine problems. Issues such as engine cooling and electrical system faults were common.

The 2018 version was not better as it encountered various problems with the faulty fuel system suspension and brakes. Moreover, the climate system was faulty for both these model years. Stay away from these two years to avoid hefty bills for repairs and parts.

Ford Explorers have been some of the most popular SUVs in the market for a long time. However, it is better to avoid some explorer models if you do not want to end up with huge repair bills. While you can find a Ford Explorer from 2011 for an affordable price of $6,000, it might be more expensive in the future as its ownership requires heavy maintenance and repairs.

This model's transmission and drive system were problematic and prone to failure, thus asking for expensive repairs. In addition, the poor body integrity and a faulty exhaust system are reasons to stay away from this Ford Explorer model.

These four GMC Yukon models do not score high on reliability. You will likely encounter major engine problems if you own a 2015 Yukon. The 2017 model gets plenty of minor engine issues. 2016 and 2017 face major issues with the transmission and drive system.

These problems are just the surface of what could go wrong with these four model years. Although these few years got poor reliability, there are still great models for the Yukon. It will be great for your pocket if you can avoid these lower reliability years.

A Buick Encore is an affordable option for a midsize SUV. However, you should try as much as possible to avoid the 2015 to 2017 models as they will lead you to a rabbit hole of repairs and maintenance. Engine issues will have your check light engine constantly on while the brake pedal assembly is of poor quality.

Related: The Envista Crossover In China Showcases Buick’s Design Direction For The Future

The braking system is far from good, with bad performance due to a faulty master cylinder. A common problem is brakes wearing out sooner than expected. You might also expect failures with the climate control system where the refrigerant might leak, or a general electrical failure might develop.

As a general rule of thumb, an Audi SUV that is less than ten years old and seems very cheap should be a red flag. The 2012 Audi Q5 got poor reliability ratings due to major and minor engine issues. The engine cooling also tends to be problematic and sometimes insufficient.

The 2013 model was no better as it faced the same engine issues and had a poor drive system. The suspension was whack on this model. Furthermore, these model years suffered from poor body integrity, faulty climate systems, and in-car electronics. Since spare Audi SUVs are expensive, it is best to avoid these models.

Related: Everything We Love About The 2020 Audi SQ8

You wouldn't expect a more recent SUV from one of the most reliable car companies in the world to appear on this list. Nonetheless, the Acura MDX is not highly reliable, although it is the most expensive car on this list. According to consumer reports, the bodywork is of poor quality, and they tend to develop minor transmission issues even on low mileage.

Other transmission issues involve leakage, transmission sensor failure, rough shifting, and slipping transmission. The original paint is prone to chalking, fading, peeling, or cracking. At the same time, rust is not an uncommon problem for this MDX model. Repairs and maintenance on these issues could cost you a lot of money; thus, it's better to avoid the 2020 MDX altogether.

Related: These Are Our Favorite Features Of The 2022 Acura MDX

The Dodge Journey is known to develop a couple of problems, including a remote keyless entry system that may fail to work. There have also been reports of water leaks in the cabin leading to dampness. Another common issue that would lead to expensive maintenance costs is the engine prone to overheating—the overheating engine results from the cylinder head coolant port trapping debris.

The power steering pump might also develop issues and reduce noise when turning. The brake system calibration is sometimes faulty and can vibrate on application.

In the same way, the Toyota Prius comes to mind whenever you think of hybrid cars, and the Pontiac Aztek springs to mind whenever the topic is SUVs to avoid. Unless you are Walter White from Breaking Bad, this car belongs in the junkyard. The car is unremarkable and not as cool as GM tried to make it look in its debut.

Fast forward many years later, and the owners will tell you of their countless frustrations with this car. It has undergone several recalls, warning of the looming repairs and maintenance awaiting any unwary new owner of a used Aztek.

If you want to buy a used Porsche, you might expect to pay a little more than other SUVs if you plan on getting something reliable. According to Copilotsearch, the 2004 Porsche Cayenne is the most problematic. Hence, you will find them selling for dirt cheap. But with a little research, you will be sure why to stay away from them.

Common plagues range from engine troubles to drive train issues and coolant system problems. Couple that with the already expensive portion parts, and you have a money pit that will eventually run you bankrupt.

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