Vans offer a versatile overall package, with the right preference to all the aspects that make a good car. First, they are very spacious and offer tons of room for people and cargo. Also, the lower lift height compared to an SUV makes them more practical and easier to load cargo. Another advantage of sitting lower than SUVs is better dynamics. The lower center of gravity results in less body roll and better handling, making these family trucks capable of driving if they have capable powertrains under the hood.
However, while a sports wagon might serve as an impressive family car and make grocery runs more fun than ever, not all of them are reliable. Some unpopular vans and enthusiast-favorite wagon model years are notoriously unreliable with high maintenance costs. Looking at data from sites like Carcomplaints, Edmunds, and RepairPal, here’s a list of 10 pickup trucks that are best avoided used carsas they can dig big holes in your pockets.
10 2012 Acura TSX Sport Wagon – Average Maintenance Cost – $425
Acura sold the wagon version of its TSX sedan in the U.S. for just four years, from 2011 to 2014. While its average annual maintenance cost is about $425, according to RepairPal, the 21 problems reported in Carcomplaints.com 2012 TSX Worst Wagon Model Years. The most notable problems associated with this include power steering failure, which has a typical repair cost of about $1,500, followed by transmission failure, which is a $3,000+ repair job.
9 2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen: Average maintenance cost: $606
With a spot on the top five most unreliable cars list, Volkswagen is a brand that has made some blatantly unreliable cars, and the 2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen is one of them. According to Carcomplaints.com, the leaking sunroof, the sound of the worn bearing causing the final drive rear differential to have to be replaced, and the broken rear window are the serious issues reported against this Golf wagon. While looking for a wagon among used cars, be sure to avoid this Volkswagen.
8 2011-2013 Subaru Outback: Average Maintenance Cost: $607
The Subaru Outback is one of the longest wagons on this list. However, the 2011-13 model years of this wagon should be avoided. These models were factory equipped with defective piston rings that caused excessive oil consumption and oil burn problems. This further led to a class-action lawsuit filed by owners, which Subaru had to settle in 2016 by providing compensation and extended warranties. Along with this innate flaw, these models are also prone to transmission problems and engine failures according to Carcomplaints.com, making them a total money-spinner.
7 2001 Volvo V70 – Average Maintenance Cost – $644
Total transmission failure, engine failure, and turbo blowout are the most common problems related to the 2001 Volvo V70 on Carcomplaints.com. Fixing the failed engine or transmission would cost over $4,000, while the turbo repair is $3,000. This makes it abundantly clear that the 2001 Volvo V70 is one of the most unreliable vans on this list. The 9 recalls issued and 221 complaints reported against this wagon to NHTSA further serves as a rotten cherry on top of this bad cake.
6 2013 Ford Flex Wagon: Average Maintenance Cost: $750
Starting with a hefty $750 annual maintenance cost reported by RepairPal, the 2013 Ford Flex is an unreliable mess you don’t want to be a part of. He’s concerned about serious electrical problems, the most common of which is the door open warning light that stays on even when the doors are closed, according to the NHTSA and Carcomplaints.com. And that’s not all, engine failure is reported to be the second most common problem that could result in a $4,000 repair bill.
5 BMW 3 Series Touring 2006-2011 (E91 Generation) – Average Maintenance Cost – $773
The 3 Series Touring wagon was first introduced in 1987 and the 2006-2011 model years belong to the fifth generation of the 3 Series. This particular generation of the 3 Series Touring has become infamous over the years for due to its unimpressive reliability. With over 1000 complaints reported to the NHTSA, the 2007 model is the worst model of this particular generation. Also, the fact that all of these model years were subject to at least 8 recalls makes them even more undesirable.
4 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 Wagon – Average Maintenance Cost – $833
Although not as critical as the 2006 and 2007 models, the 2014 E350 Wagon is also found to be expensive to maintain and repair. The most common problem with this model on Carcomplaints.com is that the wood inside the cabin fades quickly. Although it’s not a serious mechanical problem, it can cost you around $3,600 to fix. Another commonly encountered problem is coolant mixing with transmission fluid, which can result in a brain-freezing $13,000 repair bill.
3 Mercedes-Benz E350 Wagon 2006-2007 – Average Maintenance Cost – $888
2006 marked the start of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 trim, with a new 3.5-liter V6 engine under the hood. With an average annual maintenance cost of $888 on RepairPal, the early years of the E350 model have proven to be the most unreliable years of this wagon. There are 420 complaints filed against the 2007 E350 wagon with NHTSA and 209 of them are related to the fuel/propulsion system, which is clearly alarming. Balance shaft failure and gas tank leaks are reported to be common problems with these E350 models on Carcomplaints.com, which are expensive to fix.
2 2003 Audi Allroad: Average Maintenance Cost: $899
The Allroad nameplate has been part of Audi’s North American lineup since 2001. The 2003 Allroad was based on the Audi A6 of the time. This particular model year is prone to serious problems and has a high annual maintenance cost of $899, RepairPal reports.
Carcomplaints.com reports that the most serious problems with the 2003 Allroad are leaking air shocks, leaking coolant, and leaking cam tensioner oil. Fixing these issues would set you back around $2,800, $1,200, and $1,200 respectively, making it clearly one to avoid.
1 2013 Audi Allroad: Average maintenance cost: $1,005
After the original allroad was discontinued in 2005, it returned in 2013, but this time it was based on the smaller Audi A4. According to Carcomplaints.com, the first model year of this generation is known for its engine problems. The most critical problem reported is piston and piston ring failure, for which the only solution is to replace the engine itself, which would cost you a whopping $17,000. Other potential issues include turbo and timing chain failure, which would cost around $3,000 and $2,000 respectively for repairs.
