Problematic Current Vehicle Models

[doitmyself]

I am thinking of replacing my '05 Caravan in the next year. It seems that every vehicle I am interested in has a serious Achilles heel.

For new and used car shoppers, can we come up with a list of vehicles to scrutinize for SERIOUS problems that are WIDESPREAD?

Maybe list them as: Make/Models/Component. Maybe 2005 to current? Here's my start:

Ford/Escape,Fusion/ 6F35 Transmission

Chrysler-Jeep/Many models/Pentastar Engine


For educational purposes - no bashing allowed! Place any comments after your list. With this list, a person can then use google to explore more. If this is a dumb idea, let me know that too!

 

[bepperb]

As for minivans...

Well obviously Honda has it's transmission issues. Even though they're always "better the last few years" the same has been said about VW electronics or GM everything for years... so I don't buy it.

If you read the Caravan long term test on InsideLine a lot of nitpicky stuff but a lot of problems for sure. For someone driving a car for 8 years I'm not sure I'd sign up for that. I keep our cars even longer so I passed even though I grew up in one.

The Sienna obviously had the sluding issues in the early 00's. The 08+ may have a rubber oil line serving the rear cam area which was prone to bursting. I'm not sure the exact year they replaced it. I thought it was the most likely to make it to 200,000 miles without many repairs so that's what we bought.

The Mazda 5 is broken when you pick it up in that it doesn't fit six [normal sized] human beings in it.

Nissan Quest? Haven't heard much about it.

 

[NHGUY]

Get a used 07 Caravan.Same generation.Stick with the 3.3,I hear of 3.8 oil burning and failures.The extra stroke length must be causing more wear/stress.

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Get a used 07 Caravan.Same generation.Stick with the 3.3,I hear of 3.8 oil burning and failures.The extra stroke length must be causing more wear/stress.


This is good advice.
The older generation up til 2007 are pretty good vans, and the 3.3 is about as bomb proof as an engine gets.

Where I used to work had a small fleet of 3.3 Caravans and they were great vehicles. No major problems with any of them. They were 2005's.

 

[doitmyself]

This thread can be about ALL vehicles, not just mini vans. I was hoping to benefit anyone looking for any type of vehicle.

I am not too crazy about the current "midi" vans and am looking for something different.

Good advice above, none the less. Thank you.