10 Electric SUVs With Serious Long-Term Battery Problems

Electric SUVs are growing fast in popularity, but not all of them offer long-term reliability. In fact, several models have shown repeated battery failures, rapid degradation, expensive replacement costs, and charging malfunctions that frustrate owners. If you’re planning to buy an EV in 2025, knowing which SUVs struggle with battery problems can help you avoid thousands in repairs later. Here are 10 electric SUVs experts say may bring serious long-term battery issues.

Chevy Bolt EUV

Hey, so like, the Chevy Bolt EUV, man, it’s this cute little electric crossover, you know? Kinda like a hatchback on stilts, super affordable around $28,000 to $33,000 bucks, which is honestly a steal for an EV SUV these days, not gonna lie. It’s got decent range, like 250 miles or so, zippy acceleration, and that roomy interior for groceries or whatever, but uh, the battery? Oh boy, massive recalls for fire risks back in the day, they had to replace packs left and right in older ones. I mean, some folks still love it ’cause GM fixed most under warranty, but long-term? Reports of weird lithium-ion glitches popping up even in newer models, like critical battery warnings out of nowhere after just a few miles. It’s good for city hopping if you’re careful with charging, but honestly, I’d think twice for highway trips, you know, just in case it decides to throw a tantrum.

Hyundai Kona Electric

Okay, Hyundai Kona Electric, this one’s a subcompact SUV, right? Funky design, techy inside, and it starts at, what, like $34,000? Yeah, solid value with around 260 miles range, zippy handling, and that smooth ride for daily stuff. Not gonna lie, it’s fun in the city, beats gas cars on running costs, and the seats are comfy for taller folks too. But the battery drama, huge recall for defects, fires, the whole nine yards, LG batteries going bad early on. Long-term owners talk degradation if you fast-charge a ton, and some packs just failed outta nowhere. Like, why risk it when there are better options? Or maybe it’s fixed now… nah, stories still float around, so yeah, approach with caution, buddy.

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Ioniq 5, oh man, this retro-futuristic beast from Hyundai, love the pixel lights and that spaceship vibe inside, prices kick off around $42,000 now after cuts, up to 56k for loaded ones. Super fast charging, 300 miles range, spacious like a bigger SUV but nimble, and it’s got that premium feel without breaking the bank. You know, great for families, quiet highway cruiser. But battery woes? Not the main pack so much, but the 12V auxiliary one drains like crazy from faulty charging units, leaving you stranded with no AC or infotainment in the heat. Long-term, ICCU failures lead to high-voltage scares, fuses blowing, honestly, it’s annoying as hell, even if Hyundai covers it. Pretty car, but those gremlins make me pause mid-sentence… worth it if you baby it?

Kia EV6

Kia EV6, twin to the Ioniq kinda, sleek coupe-SUV lines, starts at about $43,000, goes higher for GT versions. Blazing fast, 310 miles range, handles like a sports car, and that interior? Minimalist cool with big screens. Not gonna lie, it’s one of the most fun EVs out there, zero to 60 in seconds flat. Owners rave about daily driving, but uh, the 12V battery? Nightmare fuel, multiple failures in a year, even low miles, acid leaks, lemon law claims piling up. Ties back to same ICCU issues as Hyundai, draining the little battery till everything shuts down. Long-term battery health seems okay otherwise, but those repeats? Yikes, like, why can’t they nail the basics? Still, if you’re not paranoid, it’s a blast.

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Mach-E, Ford’s Mustang-gone-electric SUV, around $38,000 base now, up to 60k for Rally. Sporty looks, 300 miles range, AWD grip, and that GT power, feels alive, you know? Great for twisty roads, BlueCruise hands-free is wizardry. Some high-milers hit 250k with barely 5% degradation, which is nuts. But wait, changing my mind, early reports of propulsion glitches, battery module swaps under warranty, and reliability dips in surveys. Long-term? Fast charging stresses it in heat, plus 12V issues crop up. Solid for enthusiasts, but not bulletproof, honestly, lease one maybe? Avoids the what-if battery headache down the road.

Tesla Model Y

Model Y, Tesla’s bestseller SUV, $44,000 to 50k-ish entry. Insane range up to 320 miles, Autopilot magic, over-the-air fixes, and that frunk? Game-changer for road trips. Supercharger network owns everyone else, and degradation’s low, like 12–15% at 200k miles. But long-term battery? Early packs had issues, swaps needed, and some 2019–2021 models saw an uptick in replacements. High-mile ones hold up now with LFP upgrades, but software can freak on cold days or whatever. You know, it’s the safe bet overall, but not perfect, random blackouts or phantom drains sneak in. Joke’s on us if it bricks mid-trip, right? Still my top pick here.

Volkswagen ID.4

ID.4 from VW, people’s electric SUV, starts under 40k, comfy cruiser with 275 miles range. Big cabin, practical for hauling kids or dogs, smooth one-pedal drive. Not exciting, but reliable daily? Yeah, until battery gripes, software hates it, modules fail early, degradation whispers from forums. Long-term data’s meh, especially cold weather range loss and charging glitches. Compared to Tesla, it’s slower to update. Like, why’d VW skimp on cooling? Around $40,000, good price, but those niggles make me think… maybe wait for refresh? Decent if you charge slow at home.

Rivian R1S

Rivian R1S, adventure truck-SUV, whopping $79,000 start, up to 107k loaded. Three rows, off-road beast, 400 miles potential range, air suspension magic. Towing king, premium vibes inside, luxury EV for the wild. But battery scares? Charging fails on trips, lockouts after three misses, low percent panics. The 12V exploding from bad brackets now, acid leaks under seats. Long-term high-milers report stress, fast charging wears it. Not gonna lie, cool as hell for campers, but pricey fixes? Oof. If money’s no object, go nuts, otherwise, eye-roll worthy drama.

GMC Hummer EV SUV

Hummer EV SUV, GMC’s monster, $100,000-plus easy. 1,000 hp, crab-walk gimmicks, insane off-road, 300 miles range. Feels like a tank, luxury inside, turns heads everywhere. But recalls galore, battery modules swapped early, warranty headaches. Long-term? Heavy beast stresses pack, degradation from weight and fast charges. Joke: it’s so big, battery problems hit harder. Still, if you’re flexing, it’s epic, just not for penny-pinchers. Who buys this anyway? Rich folks chasing vibes.

Nissan Ariya

Ariya, Nissan’s stylish EV SUV, around $40,000 base. Smooth e-4ORCE AWD, 300 miles range, quiet plush ride. Bose audio, zero-gravity seats, comfy cruiser supreme. Good for long hauls, but battery echoes Leaf woes, passive cooling means heat kills longevity, early degradation in sun. Long-term reports sparse, but fast-charge abuse? Nope. Like, Nissan learned nothing? Solid features, meh endurance. Pick if you garage it cool.