10 Used SUVs Under $20K Known for Reliability Nightmares

Shopping for a budget SUV? Be careful not all of them are worth the low price. These 10 used SUVs under $20,000 have built a reputation for reliability issues, frequent breakdowns, and high maintenance costs. Before you commit, it’s smart to steer clear of these models if you don’t want constant repair bills or headaches.

2010 Chevrolet Equinox

Oh man, the 2010 Equinox, it’s like this cute little SUV that looks fine on the lot, but uh, it guzzles oil like crazy, timing chains snap, and transmissions? Forget it, they fail left and right. People complain nonstop about engine damage from low oil, and repairs? You’re looking at thousands easy. You might snag one for like $8,000 or so, but trust me, that’s just the start of your headache, way worse than a newer Chevy that actually holds up.

2010 Nissan Pathfinder

The Pathfinder from 2010, dude, it’s got this rugged vibe, big V8 power for towing or whatever, but the radiator leaks coolant into the transmission, killing it dead. Airbags popping randomly, engine woes, NHTSA complaints everywhere. For around $10,000 used, it seems like a deal, but nah, you’ll be towing it to the shop constantly, I mean, why risk that when Pathfinders from other years aren’t half as cursed?

2015 Hyundai Santa Fe

Okay, Santa Fe 2015, it’s spacious, got that third row maybe, looks family-friendly, but engine failures hit hard, like total seizures, and the AC dies on you in summer. Not gonna lie, Hyundai’s improved since, but this year’s a nightmare with recalls and constant fixes. Snag one under $15,000? Yeah, but you’ll wish you didn’t, honestly feels like gambling with your wallet.

2020 Dodge Journey

The Journey, man, 2020 model still sucks even late in the run. Brakes wear out super fast, like every 20k miles, electrical gremlins everywhere, dashboard lights for no reason, and transmissions that give up. It’s cheap, around $12,000 used, got space for kids or whatever, but it’s a Dodge, you know? Total avoid unless you love mechanic coffee chats.

2021 Nissan Rogue Sport

Rogue Sport 2021, kinda compact and zippy, CVT transmission though? Disaster waiting, slips and overheats, plus suspension issues that rattle your teeth. Fuel economy’s meh too. For like $16,000, it tempts, but Nissan’s CVTs are infamous, I mean, I’d rather walk, seriously, changing my mind, even newer ones sketch me out.

2013 BMW X5 M

Whoa, the X5 M 2013, super sporty SUV, twin-turbo V8 roars, handles like a dream, but reliability? Laughable, turbos fail, electronics go nuts, suspension costs a fortune. Under $20k easy now, say $18,000, but that’s luxury tax for breakdowns, you know? Fun until it’s not, way better off with a real daily driver.

2015 Honda CR-V

CR-V 2015, uh, yeah even Honda slips sometimes. Vibration issues from bad driveshafts, oil dilution in the engine, AC compressor deaths. It’s usually golden, but this year? Complaints pile up. Around $14,000 used, comfy and roomy, but honestly, skip it, wait for a better year or something else less risky.

2009-2016 Dodge Journey (early ones too)

Wait, Journey again? Yeah, the whole run’s bad, but early like 2010 ones under $9,000 are traps. Brakes shot quick, tiptronic trans fails, electrical chaos. Spacious yeah, but built cheap, like why do they even make these? Personal take, Dodge just can’t SUV right.

Chevrolet Equinox 2010-2013 models

Equinox early ones, piling on, 2011-13 same oil-burning hell, engines need constant watching, transmissions whine and die. For $7,000-$10,000, family hauler looks good, but random observations? Owners ditch ’em fast. Compared to Toyota? Night and day, avoid like the plague.

Nissan Qashqai 2014-2021 diesel (Rogue equiv)

Qashqai or Rogue cousin, diesels especially unreliable, faults galore per surveys, electrics, engines. Under $15k stateside equivalents, but What Car? ranks it low. You know, international rep’s trash, so yeah, steer clear, tiny joke, it’ll leave you qash ed.