Alright, let’s talk SUVs. For years, we’ve watched them grow from rugged utility vehicles into oversized, plastic-clad boxes, often sacrificing soul for what manufacturers promise is ‘safety’ and ‘reliability.’ We’re told it’s okay if they’re a bit bland because they’re supposed to be dependable family haulers, workhorses that just *get the job done*.
But here’s the kicker: many of these so-called reliable, comfortable behemoths are anything but. Beneath the shiny paint and commanding ride height lies a truth far more sinister than a stale coffee cup in your cupholder: repair bills that can drain your bank account faster than a ruptured fuel line. These aren’t just ugly for the sake of it; they’re ugly *and* constantly at the local mechanic.
As a seasoned gearhead with a healthy dose of skepticism for anything that promises too much, I’ve got a bone to pick. We’re diving deep into the automotive underbelly, pulling back the curtain on the SUVs that customers — from Consumer Reports to the wilds of Reddit — have unequivocally declared financial black holes. So, buckle up, because unless you’re prepared to sell a kidney for your next service appointment, you absolutely need to check out this list of SUVs that are not worth the maintenance fees. Consider this your public service announcement, Jalopnik style.
1. **Jeep Grand Cherokee: The Bank Account Emptying Legend**The Jeep Grand Cherokee, bless its heart, attempts to blend suburban comfort with off-road prowess. But what it truly masters is its legendary ability to empty your bank account with an average annual repair cost of $666 – and that’s just the average! Owners face a daunting 13% chance of major repairs annually, making a regular relationship with your service advisor practically a guarantee.
One of the most infamous culprits is the 3.6L V6 engine, which, according to reports, “loves to eat timing chains like they’re Tic Tacs.” Typically, around 100,000 miles, you’re looking at a cool $3,000 repair just for that. And if you opted for the air suspension system, prepare for disappointment, as it has “the structural integrity of a wet napkin.” Those struts? They fail faster than your New Year’s resolutions, at an eye-watering $1,200 per corner.
But the fun doesn’t stop there. The electrical system, it seems, was designed by someone who thinks Christmas lights should randomly stop working. TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) failures are so common that Jeep eventually extended warranties, but only after thousands of owners were stranded with dead SUVs that had more electrical gremlins than a 1970s British sports car. Seriously, we’re talking about a vehicle that can cost owners approximately $10,872 over the first decade, which is a whopping $2,622 more than the average for SUVs.
Beyond the specific components, the Grand Cherokee’s transmission, especially in 2011-2014 models, has been a consistent headache. The transmission control module (TCM) often malfunctions, leading to erratic shifting issues that can demand expensive repairs or even a full transmission replacement. Add to that the reports of faulty fuel pumps, leaking oil filters, and more electrical issues, and you have a recipe for ongoing financial strain. Cylinder misfires, excessive oil consumption, and water pump failures in the 3.6-liter V6 and 5.7-liter V8 engines only pile on the misery, proving this SUV’s propensity for turning a comfortable ride into a constant negotiation with your mechanic.
Car Model Information: 2020 Lexus RX 350 Base
Name: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Manufacturer: Jeep
Production: 1992–present
ModelYears: 1993–present
Class: unbulleted list
BodyStyle: sport utility vehicle
Layout: unbulleted list
Chassis: Vehicle_frame#Uniframe
Categories: 2000s cars, 2010s cars, 2020s cars, All-wheel-drive vehicles, All Wikipedia articles written in American English
Summary: The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a range of mid-sized sport utility vehicles produced by American manufacturer Jeep. At its introduction, while most SUVs were still manufactured with body-on-frame construction, the Grand Cherokee has used a unibody chassis from the start.
Get more information about: Jeep Grand Cherokee
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Brand: Jeep Model: Grand Cherokee
Price: $30,981 Mileage: 81,179 mi.
2. **Jeep Wrangler: The Off-Road Icon That Off-Roads Your Wallet**The Jeep Wrangler is undeniably cool. It’ll climb mountains, conquer trails, and look good doing it. But while it’s busy scaling rocks, it’s also busy climbing your credit score down to subprime levels. With an average annual repair cost of $694, the Wrangler ensures that its rugged form directly follows its equally rugged dysfunction.
The 2.0L turbo engine in recent models has accumulated “more recall notices than a Chinese toy factory,” and its transmission, well, it “shifts like it’s learning on the job.” This isn’t just a minor inconvenience; it’s a constant reminder that your adventure machine might decide to take an unscheduled pit stop at any moment.
Then there’s the infamous “death wobble,” which isn’t just a meme shared among Jeep owners; it’s a $2,000 reality. This terrifying phenomenon occurs when your track bar, ball joints, and tie rods all decide to retire simultaneously, typically around 60,000 miles, transforming your steering into a terrifying lottery. And if you thought owning a convertible meant carefree open-air motoring, think again. The soft top “leaks more than a government whistleblower,” and replacing it costs $1,800 if you want to stay dry.
As one owner on Reddit candidly put it, “They also have the classic Chrysler poor engineering and design that lead to all kinds of recalls and ridiculous parts failures.” Despite having the aerodynamics of a brick and fuel economy to match, Wrangler owners keep buying them. It’s like Stockholm syndrome, but with more trail dust and a chronic case of “Empty wallet syndrome.” Factor in average maintenance and repair costs of around $10,662 over ten years, including common issues like $700 water pump replacements and $1,000 oil leak repairs, and you realize the true cost of chasing that iconic off-road dream.
Car Model Information: 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
Name: Jeep Wrangler
Caption: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Sahara edition
Manufacturer: Jeep
Class: Compact SUV
Production: 1986–present
Predecessor: Jeep CJ
Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout,rear-wheel drive
Chassis: Body-on-frame
Related: AIL Storm
Categories: 1980s cars, 1990s cars, 2000s cars, 2010s cars, All-wheel-drive vehicles
Summary: The Jeep Wrangler is a series of compact and mid-size four-wheel drive off-road SUVs manufactured by Jeep since 1986, and currently in its fourth generation. The Wrangler JL, the most recent generation, was unveiled in late 2017 and is produced at Jeep’s Toledo Complex.
The Wrangler is a direct progression from the World War II Jeep, through the CJ (Civilian Jeeps) produced by Willys, Kaiser-Jeep, and American Motors Corporation (AMC) from the mid-1940s through the 1980s. Although neither AMC nor Chrysler (after it purchased AMC in 1987) have claimed that the Wrangler was a direct descendant of the original military model — both the CJ Jeeps and the conceptually consistent Wrangler, with their solid axles and open top, have been called the Jeep model as central to Jeep’s brand identity as the rear-engine 911 is to Porsche.
Similar to the Willys MB and the CJ Jeeps before it, all Wrangler models continue to use a separate body and frame, rigid live axles both front and rear, a tapering nose design with flared fenders, a fold-flat windshield, and can be driven without doors. Also, with few exceptions, they have part-time four-wheel drive systems, with the choice of high and low gearing, and standard open bodies with removable hard or soft tops. However, the Wrangler series was specifically redesigned to be safer and more comfortable on-road, to attract more daily drivers, by upgrading its suspension, drivetrain, and interior, compared to the CJ line. The suspension on all Wranglers included trackbars and anti-roll bars, and, from the 1997 TJ onwards, front and rear coil springs instead of the previous leaf springs.
From 2004 onward, the Wrangler has been complemented with long-wheelbase versions, called Wrangler Unlimited. 2004-2006 models were longer versions with 2 doors. In 2004, only automatic transmission-equipped “Unlimited” versions were sold. In 2005, both an automatic and manual 6-speed (NSG-370) were offered. Since 2007, the long-wheelbase Wranglers were four-door models, offering over 20 in (508 mm) more room. By mid-2017, the four-door models represented three-quarters of all new Wranglers on the market.
Get more information about: Jeep Wrangler
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Brand: Jeep Model: Wrangler
Price: $29,318 Mileage: 67,306 mi.
3. **Cadillac Lyriq: GM’s Electric Dream, Your Repair Nightmare**Cadillac’s venture into the electric luxury market with the Lyriq was GM’s grand attempt to rival Tesla. The problem? Its repair costs make Tesla look like a bargain. When a Tesla breaks, you might attribute it to living in the future. When a Lyriq breaks, it’s often because GM appears to have crammed five decades of electrical incompetence into a rather pretty package, resulting in an average annual repair cost exceeding $1,200.
Take the Super Cruise system, for instance. It’s fantastic when it works, but when it decides to throw a digital tantrum, you’re looking at a cool $3,000 just to recalibrate the cameras. The 12-inch display, meant to be a technological centerpiece, loves to “freeze harder than your ex’s heart,” requiring an $1,800 replacement that somehow takes three agonizing weeks to arrive. This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a major disruption for a luxury vehicle.
One overly hopeful owner on Reddit, clearly suffering from a classic case of luxury-induced Stockholm syndrome, admitted: “The major problems we’ve had have all been software-related. The biggest problem we had was a module got shorted out while it was being worked on, and we had to wait a month for a new module.” They added, with a concerning level of patience: “There are other times we’ve had to take the car in for software issues, but I have the mindset that Cadillac is still ironing out the whole EV thing, so I have a lot of patience for this.” Patience is certainly a virtue, especially when faced with Lyriq’s battery degradation issues.
That battery degradation isn’t covered after eight years, which, unsurprisingly, is when “the real fun begins.” A pack replacement will run you about $15,000 – enough to buy a nice used car that actually, you know, runs reliably. So, while the Lyriq promises a glimpse into Cadillac’s electric future, it also delivers a brutal reminder of GM’s past electrical woes, all at a premium price.
Car Model Information: 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ Tech
Name: Cadillac Lyriq
Manufacturer: Cadillac
ModelYears: 2023–present
Production: May 2022 – present
Assembly: ubl
Class: Executive car,crossover SUV
BodyStyle: SUV
Related: ubl
Layout: ubl
Platform: GM BEV3
Wheelbase: cvt
Length: cvt
Width: cvt
Height: cvt
Weight: cvt
Motor: Synchronous motor#Permanent-magnet
Powerout: ubl
Abbr: on (V, EPA)
Battery: ubl
Designer: Magalie Debellis
Charging: unbulleted list
ElectricRange: ubl
Categories: All Wikipedia articles written in American English, All articles with unsourced statements, Articles with short description, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2025, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2022
Summary: The Cadillac Lyriq is a battery electric mid-size luxury crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by the Cadillac division of General Motors. As Cadillac’s first fully electric vehicle, and the first GM production vehicle using the BEV3 platform, the Lyriq introduces a new version of GM’s Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system.
Assembled at Spring Hill Manufacturing in Spring Hill, Tennessee for North America and at a new EV-only plant in Yantai, China for Asia, Cadillac started accepting customer orders for the 2023 Lyriq in the United States in May 2022.
In late 2024, Cadillac Lyriq won the German “Car of the Year 2025” award in the luxury car category.
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Brand: Cadillac Model: Lyriq
Price: $34,499 Mileage: 19,351 mi.
4. **GMC Yukon XL/Sierra: The Family Hauler That Supports Your Mechanic’s Family**The GMC Yukon XL is designed for those who need to haul eight people, luggage, and, apparently, single-handedly support their mechanic’s kids through college. This massive monster boasts an average annual repair cost of $934 and has more failure points than a Russian rocket. Let’s start with the notorious 5.3L AFM (Active Fuel Management) system.
This system, intended to save fuel by deactivating cylinders, ironically does a far better job of activating your credit card to fix it. Lifter failure typically strikes around 80,000 miles, requiring an utterly brutal $8,000 engine rebuild. That’s not a repair; that’s a down payment on a different vehicle.
Then there’s the 10-speed transmission, which shifts about as smoothly as a first-time manual driver. When it inevitably decides to call it quits, you’re looking at a $5,000 replacement. It’s a wonder how a vehicle designed for long-haul family trips can have such fundamental, expensive flaws in its core mechanicals.
But wait, there’s more! The magnetic ride control sounds incredibly fancy, right up until those $1,400 shocks start leaking. And because GM engineers apparently believe in synchronized suffering, all four corners typically fail within 5,000 miles of each other. So, not only do you pay a premium for this ‘advanced’ system, but you also get the pleasure of replacing it in an expensive, symmetrical fashion. The Yukon XL isn’t just a vehicle; it’s a mobile ATM for your repair shop.
Car Model Information: 2020 Lexus RX 350 Base
Name: Chevrolet Suburban,GMC Yukon XL
Caption: 2015 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LTZ
Manufacturer: General Motors
Aka: Chevrolet Veraneio (Brazil, 1964–1995),GMC Carryall (1960–1972),GMC Suburban (1937–1999),GMC Yukon XL (from 2000),Holden Suburban (Australia/New Zealand, 1998–2001)
Production: 1934–present
Class: Full-size,station wagon
Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout,rear-wheel drive
Related: ubl
Categories: 1940s cars, 1950s cars, 1960s cars, 1970s cars, 1980s cars
Summary: The Chevrolet Suburban is a series of SUVs built by Chevrolet. The longest-produced automobile nameplate in the world, the Suburban has been made since 1934, and is currently in its twelfth generation (2021–present). Beginning life as one of the first metal-bodied station wagons, the Suburban is the progenitor of the modern full-size sport utility vehicle, combining a wagon-style body with the chassis and powertrain of a pickup truck. Alongside its Advance Design, Task Force, and C/K predecessors, the Chevrolet Silverado currently shares chassis and mechanical commonality with the Suburban and other trucks.
Traditionally one of the most profitable vehicles sold by General Motors, the Suburban has been marketed through both Chevrolet and GMC for nearly its entire production. Along sharing the Suburban name with Chevrolet, GMC has used several nameplates for the model line; since 2000, the division has marketed it as the GMC Yukon XL, while since 2003 Cadillac has marketed the Suburban as the Cadillac Escalade ESV. During the 1990s, GM Australia marketed right-hand drive Suburbans under the Holden brand.
The Suburban is sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Chile, Dominican Republic, Bolivia, Peru, Philippines, and the Middle East (except Israel), while the Yukon XL is sold only in North America (exclusive to the United States, Canada, and Mexico) and the Middle East territories (except Israel).
A 2018 iSeeCars.com study identified the Chevrolet Suburban as the car that is driven the most each year. A 2019 iSeeCars.com study named the Chevrolet Suburban the second-ranked longest-lasting vehicle. In December 2019, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce unveiled a Hollywood Walk of Fame star for the Suburban, noting that the Suburban had been in “1,750 films and TV shows since 1952.”
Get more information about: Chevrolet Suburban
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Brand: GMC Model: Yukon XL
Price: $30,981 Mileage: 81,179 mi.
5. **Rivian R1S: The Adventure EV That Leaves You Stranded**The Rivian R1S burst onto the scene promising rugged, electric adventure. But in practice, it makes Tesla service look accessible, which is saying something. When something breaks on your R1S – and trust me, it will break, because first-gen EVs often have “more bugs than a summer camping trip” – you’re entirely at Rivian’s mercy. With an average annual repair cost of $1,140, this isn’t a cheap mercy.
Body panel gaps so wide you could lose a small child in them? That’s a $3,000 fix, assuming you can even get the parts. But the real gut punch often comes from the air suspension, which loves to fail, leaving you with what effectively becomes a $400,000 paperweight sitting on deflated bags. Good luck finding an independent shop willing to touch something so proprietary and prone to complex issues. You’re truly locked into Rivian’s ecosystem, whether you like it or not.
And let’s not forget the software updates. In a world where over-the-air updates are supposed to be a blessing, Rivian’s have a knack for being a curse, often breaking more than they fix. One infamous update bricked the charging system for thousands of owners, turning their cutting-edge EVs into very expensive, very immobile sculptures. Rivian’s solution? A rather unhelpful “We’ll fix it in the next update.” Meanwhile, you’re left footing a $200-a-day rental car bill, contemplating your life choices while your groundbreaking electric adventure vehicle stubbornly refuses to charge.
Car Model Information: 2023 Rivian R1S Adventure
Name: Rivian R1S
Manufacturer: Rivian
Production: 2022–present
ModelYears: 2022–present
Assembly: Rivian Automotive,LLC
Designer: Paul Hoste (2014)
BodyStyle: SUV
Related: Rivian R1T
Drivetrain: Individual wheel drive,Four-wheel drive
Powerout: cvt
Doors: 4 doors + 1 in rear
Transmission: Single-speed
Battery: Flashlight
ElectricRange: cvt
Wheelbase: cvt
Length: cvt
Width: cvt
Height: cvt
Weight: cvt
Categories: Articles with short description, Commons category link from Wikidata, Full-size sport utility vehicles, Production electric cars, Rivian SUVs
Summary: The Rivian R1S is an all-electric seven passenger, mid-size, off-road SUV manufactured by Rivian. Customer deliveries started in 2022, after 10 years under development. Depending on the configuration, it has either two, three, or four electric motors.
Get more information about: Rivian R1S
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Brand: Rivian Model: R1S
Price: $58,549 Mileage: 54,610 mi.
6. **Tesla Model X: Elon’s Ego, Your Wallet’s Demise**Speaking of the semi-autonomous devil, the Tesla Model X is a prime example of where Elon’s ego meets your wallet’s destruction. Those signature Falcon Wing doors? While undoubtedly engineering marvels, they also fail more often than a community college dropout. Each door is packed with 12 sensors, and when just one goes bad (which tends to happen around 40,000 miles), you’re shelling out $1,200 just for diagnostics, not even the repair itself, for an SUV with an average annual repair cost of $1,456.
The air suspension system on the Model X has the reliability of a campaign promise – sounds good, but rarely delivers long-term. Replacing it runs $3,500 per corner, and because Tesla seemingly designed them to fail in sequence like dominoes, you’ll likely need all four before too long. It’s a never-ending cycle of expensive parts and labor that chips away at the initial investment.
Then there are the door handles. They retract into the car, which is cool, until they don’t retract back out, leaving you locked out of your $120,000 SUV. Mobile service for this little annoyance charges $500 just to show up, then another $800 for a handle that probably costs Tesla a mere $40 to manufacture. It’s a stark reminder that cutting-edge tech often comes with cutting-edge repair bills.
Despite these glaring issues, Tesla enthusiasts are often deeply loyal to the brand, to the point where some might “go to great lengths to preserve its reputation, including keeping repair experiences discreet.” This fanatical devotion means many owners quietly bear the brunt of these astronomical costs, proving that sometimes, brand allegiance can be more costly than any actual repair. So, while the Model X might impress your neighbors, it’ll likely leave your bank account anything but.
Alright, buckle up again, because if you thought the first six SUVs were bad, we’re just getting warmed up. The automotive industry is full of ambitious designs and shiny promises, but as we continue our descent into the abyss of repair bills, it becomes crystal clear that some vehicles are less about driving pleasure and more about draining your pleasure (and your wallet). Here are five more examples of SUVs that will ensure a very personal, very expensive relationship with your local service department.
Car Model Information: 2020 Lexus RX 350 Base
Name: Tesla Model X
Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
Production: 2015–present
Assembly: unbulleted list
Designer: Franz von Holzhausen
Class: Crossover (automobile)
BodyStyle: 5-door SUV
Layout: unbulleted list
Doors: unbulleted list
Related: Tesla Model S
Motor: unbulleted list
Title: Discontinued
Transmission: unbulleted list
Battery: unbulleted list
ElectricRange: FTP-75
Wheelbase: cvt
Length: cvt
Width: cvt
Height: cvt
Weight: unbulleted list
Sp: us
Categories: 2020s cars, All Wikipedia articles in need of updating, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, All articles containing potentially dated statements, All articles lacking reliable references
Summary: The Tesla Model X is a battery electric mid-size luxury crossover SUV built by Tesla, Inc. since 2015. Developed from the full-sized sedan platform of the Tesla Model S, the vehicle uses distinctive falcon wing doors for rear passenger access.
The Model X has an EPA size class as an SUV, and shares around 30 percent of its content with the Model S, half of the originally planned 60 percent, and weighs about 10 percent more. Both the Model X and Model S are produced at the Tesla Factory in Fremont, California. The prototype was unveiled at Tesla’s design studios in Hawthorne, California, on February 9, 2012. First deliveries of the Model X began in September 2015. After one full year on the market, in 2016, the Model X ranked seventh among the world’s best-selling plug-in cars. A refresh of the Tesla Model X was introduced in 2021, offering a new “Plaid” performance model, along with a revised interior, powertrain, and suspension.Another update of the Model X was introduced in June 2025 with a new front bumper camera, new wheel designs, increased third-row space, dynamic ambient lighting, and adaptive headlights. The updates are similar to the Model S, which was updated at the same time.
As of July 2025, the Model X is available as a Long-Range version with an estimated EPA range of 352 miles (566 km) and a high performance “Plaid” version with an estimated EPA range of 335 miles (539 km).
Get more information about: Tesla Model X
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Brand: Tesla Model: Model X
Price: $30,981 Mileage: 81,179 mi.
7. **Land Rover Range Rover: British Luxury, German Reliability (Which is to Say, None)**If you’re eyeing a Range Rover for its blend of British luxury and supposed rugged capability, prepare for a dose of reality hotter than a coolant leak on a desert road. This opulent SUV, with an average annual repair cost of $1,258, has a penchant for breaking down more frequently than peace talks in the Middle East. It’s a statement piece, alright – a statement that screams, ‘I can afford endless repair bills!’
The notorious air suspension system is practically guaranteed to fail, often choosing the most inconvenient moments, like when you’re furthest from a dealer, to completely give up the ghost. This isn’t just a minor inconvenience; it’s a catastrophic structural collapse that transforms your stately cruiser into a low-rider faster than you can say ‘tow truck.’ And when it fails, you’re looking at eye-watering repair costs, often exceeding $2,000 for just one corner.
Beyond the suspension, Range Rovers are plagued by electronic issues so common that ‘electrical fault’ should frankly be printed on the owner’s manual cover. We’re talking infotainment systems that reboot themselves more times than a Windows 95 computer on a Monday morning, eventually dying completely and requiring a $4,000 replacement. It’s almost as if the engineers designed these systems for maximum frustration and minimum longevity.
There’s a running joke that Range Rover owners have a support group, and it’s called ‘the waiting room at the Land Rover dealer.’ The context even mentions they serve champagne there – because you’ll definitely need it when you get the repair estimate. It’s less a luxury SUV and more a luxurious, high-tech way to contribute directly to your service technician’s yacht fund, all while waiting for your vehicle to exit the shop.
Car Model Information: 2020 Lexus RX 350 Base
Caption: 2022 Range Rover SE P440e (L460, fifth generation, United Kingdom)
Aka: unbulleted list
Name: Range Rover
Manufacturer: unbulleted list
Production: 1969–present
Assembly: unbulleted list
Class: unbulleted list
Layout: Front-engine, four-wheel-drive layout
Sp: uk
Categories: 1980s cars, 1990s cars, 2000s cars, 2010s cars, 2020s cars
Summary: The Land Rover Range Rover, generally shortened to Range Rover, is a 4WD luxury mid to full size crossover marque and sub-brand of Jaguar Land Rover, owned by India-based Tata Motors. The Range Rover line was launched in 1970 by British Leyland and since 2022 is in its fifth generation.
Additional models have been launched under the Range Rover name, including the Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Evoque, and Range Rover Velar.
Get more information about: Range Rover
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Brand: Land Rover Model: Range Rover
Price: $30,981 Mileage: 81,179 mi.
8. **Cadillac Escalade: The Rolling Status Symbol That Bankrupts You**Ah, the Cadillac Escalade. It’s the go-to vehicle for anyone who wants to loudly declare their financial status, right up until the moment those maintenance costs silently drain their bank account. This rolling monument to excess boasts an average annual repair cost of $1,007 and comes with a maintenance regime that would make even the most stoic accountant weep openly.
Take the magnetic ride control system, for instance. It fails with the predictability of a reality TV marriage, providing a dramatic spectacle of expense. Each shock will set you back a cool $1,600, and because misery loves company, they typically go in pairs, doubling the fun. Then there’s the air conditioning system, which apparently loves to grenade itself every 60,000 miles, resulting in a refreshingly expensive $2,800 repair bill just to keep your passengers from melting.
And let’s not forget the infamous CUE infotainment system. It crashes more often than a drunk driver in a demolition derby, and when it finally kicks the bucket and needs replacement, Cadillac will charge you a hefty $3,200 for technology that was practically outdated the moment it was installed. It’s a prime example of throwing good money after bad, all for the sake of maintaining that premium aesthetic.
One Reddit user, clearly at the end of their tether with a newer model, admitted to hiring an attorney, stating, ‘It’s coming up on two years. It’s been in the shop, and currently in the shop, Eleven months accumulatively. Numerous engine issues. Motor apart several times. Now having electrical issues amongst other engine issues. […] I would have been satisfied with a replacement, but obviously they don’t stand behind their junk.’ If that doesn’t scream ‘unbuy immediately,’ I don’t know what does.
Car Model Information: 2021 Cadillac Escalade Sport
Name: Cadillac Escalade
Caption: Fifth generation Cadillac Escalade
Manufacturer: Cadillac
Production: 1998–present,2002–present (ESV),2001–2013 (EXT),2008–2013 (Hybrid)
ModelYears: 1999–2000,2002–present
Class: Full-size,luxury car,sport utility vehicle
Related: ubl
Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout,Front-engine, four-wheel drive layout
Categories: 2000s cars, 2010s cars, 2020s cars, All-wheel-drive vehicles, All Wikipedia articles in need of updating
Summary: The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury SUV manufactured by General Motors and marketed by Cadillac as its first major entry into the SUV market. The Escalade was introduced for the 1999 model year in response to an influx of new luxury SUVs in the late 1990s including the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Range Rover, Lexus LX, and Ford’s 1998 debut of the Lincoln Navigator. The Escalade project went into production only ten months after it was approved. The Escalade is built in Arlington, Texas.
The term “escalade” refers to a siege warfare tactic of scaling defensive walls or ramparts with the aid of ladders or siege towers. More generally, it is a French word which is the noun-equivalent form of the French verb escalader, which means “to climb or scale”.
The Escalade is currently sold in North America and select international markets (Europe and Asia) where Cadillac has official sales channels. The Escalade ESV (Escalade Stretch Vehicle) is sold in North America, Russia, and the Middle East, but is only available by special order in some international markets. The right-hand-drive Escalade and Escalade ESV are available through third-party conversion specialists without official agreement with Cadillac in Australian, Oceanic, and Japanese markets.
On August 8, 2023, GM presented the Escalade IQ, an all-electric version of the Escalade, and the third model in Cadillac’s EV line, after the Celestiq, and Lyriq. It is expected to go on sale in late 2024 for the 2025 model year, with a starting price of $130,000.
The Escalade has gone through five generations, the most recent (the fifth) prsented in 2021, noted for its technology and self-driving capability. The fifth generation Escalade is nearly two metres high, and was criticized by The Verge for its excessive size and hazard to pedestrians.
Get more information about: Cadillac Escalade
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Brand: Cadillac Model: Escalade
Price: $62,850 Mileage: 58,494 mi.
9. **Chevrolet Suburban: The Family Hauler That Supports Your Mechanic’s Extended Family**The Chevrolet Suburban, a quintessential American family hauler, shares its DNA with the GMC Yukon XL – and unfortunately, its voracious appetite for your hard-earned cash. With an average annual repair cost of $896, this behemoth turns ‘family adventure’ into ‘family bankruptcy’ surprisingly quickly. It’s less a vehicle and more a recurring subscription to your local garage.
The notorious AFM (Active Fuel Management) lifter failure is practically a rite of passage for Suburban owners. This ‘feature,’ intended to save fuel by deactivating cylinders, actually does a far better job of turning your smooth V8 into a ticking time bomb that sounds suspiciously like a diesel tractor. When those lifters inevitably give up around 80,000 miles, you’re not just looking at a repair; you’re looking at an engine rebuild that can easily rival a down payment on a new (and hopefully more reliable) vehicle.
Then there’s the rear air conditioning, which, apparently, cooling the kids in the back is an optional extra the vehicle sometimes decides not to provide. When it inevitably quits working, prepare for a repair that involves removing half the interior for a $1,900 experience in pure automotive masochism. It’s an unnecessary complication that adds insult to injury, particularly on long summer trips where cool air is less a luxury and more a necessity.
But wait, there’s more financial fun to be had! Fuel pump assemblies have a habit of failing around 100,000 miles, and because GM engineers seemingly have a deep-seated hatred for accessible components, they’ve cleverly hidden it inside the fuel tank. That’s a minimum of $1,400 for a part that costs less than a decent dinner, plus a grueling eight hours of labor just to fish it out. The Suburban isn’t just a vehicle; it’s a mobile ATM for your repair shop, ensuring your mechanic’s kids have the best college education money can buy.
Car Model Information: 2021 Chevrolet Suburban 4WD Z71
Name: Chevrolet Suburban,GMC Yukon XL
Caption: 2015 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LTZ
Manufacturer: General Motors
Aka: Chevrolet Veraneio (Brazil, 1964–1995),GMC Carryall (1960–1972),GMC Suburban (1937–1999),GMC Yukon XL (from 2000),Holden Suburban (Australia/New Zealand, 1998–2001)
Production: 1934–present
Class: Full-size,station wagon
Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout,rear-wheel drive
Related: ubl
Categories: 1940s cars, 1950s cars, 1960s cars, 1970s cars, 1980s cars
Summary: The Chevrolet Suburban is a series of SUVs built by Chevrolet. The longest-produced automobile nameplate in the world, the Suburban has been made since 1934, and is currently in its twelfth generation (2021–present). Beginning life as one of the first metal-bodied station wagons, the Suburban is the progenitor of the modern full-size sport utility vehicle, combining a wagon-style body with the chassis and powertrain of a pickup truck. Alongside its Advance Design, Task Force, and C/K predecessors, the Chevrolet Silverado currently shares chassis and mechanical commonality with the Suburban and other trucks.
Traditionally one of the most profitable vehicles sold by General Motors, the Suburban has been marketed through both Chevrolet and GMC for nearly its entire production. Along sharing the Suburban name with Chevrolet, GMC has used several nameplates for the model line; since 2000, the division has marketed it as the GMC Yukon XL, while since 2003 Cadillac has marketed the Suburban as the Cadillac Escalade ESV. During the 1990s, GM Australia marketed right-hand drive Suburbans under the Holden brand.
The Suburban is sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Chile, Dominican Republic, Bolivia, Peru, Philippines, and the Middle East (except Israel), while the Yukon XL is sold only in North America (exclusive to the United States, Canada, and Mexico) and the Middle East territories (except Israel).
A 2018 iSeeCars.com study identified the Chevrolet Suburban as the car that is driven the most each year. A 2019 iSeeCars.com study named the Chevrolet Suburban the second-ranked longest-lasting vehicle. In December 2019, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce unveiled a Hollywood Walk of Fame star for the Suburban, noting that the Suburban had been in “1,750 films and TV shows since 1952.”
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Brand: Chevrolet Model: Suburban
Price: $54,395 Mileage: 74,345 mi.
10. **BMW X7: Germany’s Unreliable Luxury Barge**BMW’s attempt to prove they can make SUVs as reliably unreliable as their sedans culminates in the X7. Mission accomplished, it seems, as this luxury land yacht comes with an average annual repair cost of $1,345, ensuring that the driving pleasure is quickly overshadowed by the financial pain. It’s a testament to how quickly prestige can turn into persistent problems.
The air suspension system in the X7 has more failure modes than a NASA launch sequence, and when it inevitably goes, you’re grounded harder than a teenager who crashed dad’s prized possession. This complex system, designed for a supremely comfortable ride, transforms into a costly nightmare, demanding expensive fixes that can easily run into the thousands. It’s a constant reminder that sometimes, less *is* more when it comes to sophisticated vehicle components that are destined to fail.
And don’t even get us started on the infotainment system. After about 50,000 miles, it runs slower than dial-up internet in the late 90s. BMW’s ‘solution’ to this technological sluggishness? A mind-boggling $2,800 software update that somehow requires replacing the entire head unit. It’s like paying top dollar for a cutting-edge computer, only to discover it’s powered by a hamster wheel and needs a complete hardware overhaul for a simple patch.
For those with the twin-turbo engines, turbocharger failure is practically guaranteed around 70,000 miles. And in a glorious display of German engineering efficiency, they usually fail together, because BMW apparently believes in equality of suffering. Replacement costs a staggering $6,000 *per side*, turning a luxury SUV into a money pit faster than you can say ‘autobahn.’ Congratulations, BMW, on delivering an SUV that perfectly blends performance with persistent financial anxiety.
Car Model Information: 2024 BMW X7 xDrive40i
Name: BMW X7
Manufacturer: BMW
ModelCode: G07
Production: December 2018 – present
ModelYears: 2019–present
Assembly: ubl
Class: Full-size,luxury car,crossover SUV
BodyStyle: SUV
Layout: Front-engine, four-wheel-drive layout
Platform: BMW CLAR platform
Related: unbulleted list
Engine: unbulleted list
Transmission: ZF 8HP transmission,automatic transmission#Hydraulic automatic transmissions
Wheelbase: 3105 mm
Abbr: on
Length: convert
Width: 2000 mm
Height: convert
Weight: convert
Designer: Julien Sarreméjean,Anders Thøgersen (facelift)
Drivetrain: MHEV
Categories: 2020s cars, All-wheel-drive vehicles, All articles with dead external links, Articles with dead external links from July 2025, Articles with permanently dead external links
Summary: The BMW X7 is a full-size luxury crossover sport utility vehicle manufactured by BMW. It is BMW’s largest and second most expensive SUV in its line-up, and is considered a flagship SUV for the brand.
The X7 was first announced by BMW in March 2014. It was officially unveiled on October 17, 2018, with pre-orders being taken online. The X7 has been available at dealers since March 2019.
Get more information about: BMW X7
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Brand: BMW Model: X7
Price: $63,792 Mileage: 20,728 mi.
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11. **Mercedes-Benz GLS: The Over-Engineered Money Trap**The Mercedes-Benz GLS, German over-engineering at its finest, is another way of saying ‘expensive as heck to fix.’ With an average annual repair cost of $1,361, this luxurious SUV promises a refined experience but delivers a consistent stream of wallet-emptying mechanical failures. It’s a high-class ticket to ongoing financial stress.
The AIRMATIC suspension system, a marvel of modern engineering, has more sensors than a paranoid dictator’s bunker, and when just one decides to fail, they all throw dramatic tantrums. This intricate system, while providing a buttery-smooth ride, is also a ticking time bomb of potential expenses, turning everyday potholes into calls for roadside assistance and hefty repair bills. It’s a feature that costs a fortune to maintain.
Then there’s the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system. It sounds incredibly impressive on paper, until the transfer case decides to self-destruct around 80,000 miles. A replacement will set you back a jaw-dropping $7,000 – an amount that, for many, is more than their entire car is worth. It’s a brutal reality check on the true cost of ‘advanced’ automotive systems that refuse to cooperate.
Finally, Mercedes’ COMAND infotainment system has a knack for crashing more often than the stock market in 1929. And when it finally dies a spectacular digital death, prepare for Mercedes to charge you $4,500 for a replacement that, predictably, will likely break in exactly the same way down the line. The GLS isn’t just an SUV; it’s a meticulously crafted financial black hole, ensuring that its prestige comes with a constant price tag attached to its inherent unreliability.
**The End of the Road for Your Wallet?**
So there you have it, folks. We’ve peeled back the shiny veneer and dug into the guts of 11 SUVs that, despite their promises of reliability, comfort, and adventure, are more accurately described as ongoing financial commitment ceremonies. These aren’t just vehicles; they’re engineering marvels designed to efficiently empty your checking account, turning basic maintenance into a full-blown financial crisis.
Nobody signs up for an SUV expecting it to spend more time in the shop than on the open road, or for ‘family trip’ to become synonymous with ‘breakdown.’ These vehicles defeat the very purpose they’re supposed to serve. They highlight a grim reality: sometimes, the dream of luxury or rugged capability comes with a hidden price tag that keeps climbing long after you’ve driven off the lot.
If you’ve got the cash, the patience, and perhaps a masochistic streak for dealing with chronic automotive headaches, then by all means, go for it. But don’t come crying to us when you’re eating ramen noodles to afford your next service appointment. Consider this your public service announcement, a warning from the trenches of automotive reality. Maybe keep a reliable backup car, because you’re going to need it more often than you think. After all, the only thing more expensive than buying one of these SUVs is the therapy you’ll need after owning one. We’re just here to tell it like it is.
