Why Modern Cars Are Not Reliable Anymore (Unless You Do This)

Why modern cars are not reliable anymore. We explain why modern cars are not made to last and have more reliability problems and recalls. Engine problems, transmission problems, complicated electronics, and other reliability issues with modern cars are now common. We also share tips on how to buy a reliable car and how to avoid major problems when shopping for a new car. Are new cars less reliable? Is complicated technology ruining the reliability of new cars? If you are buying a new car and want to protect yourself and make the right choice, watch this video.

00:00 Intro
01:50 Complicated Technology
04:10 Emissions Compliance
06:50 Globalization
08:20 Do Reliable Cars Still Exist?
10:25 How To Buy A Reliable Car

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ABOUT ME

With over a decade of experience as a professional car buyer and auto consultant, Shari Prymak has helped thousands of consumers with their car buying needs. Car Help Corner provides honest, objective, consumer advice with all aspects of car buying and car ownership. For more professional advice, check out Car Help Canada, become a member, and subscribe!

[yaelvhadarstdprophet]

Mazda includes all the advantages you mentioned

[thisisme]

I remember when the Japanese cars were taking off and the domestic manufactures were screaming for government restrictions and subsidies. While huge buckets of money were given to those companies it forced them to improve their quality or die; remember AMC. You can thank, Toyota, Honda, Nissan and others for forcing Ford, GMC, Chrysler by example. When the Japanese luxury brands came out, it did kill off some European brands and forced others to amalgamate. 30 years have passed, and the best manufactures are still the Japanese, they do sometimes have some problems there are not perfect. My brother went from a diehard Jeep driver to a Toyota driver and his sons also.

[MrRensan]

I have a 1993 Toyota Previa LE with 295K miles. Still runs well with no loss in MPG, and oil consumption. It is naturally aspirated, uses regular fuel, with a 4 speed transmission. It is simple, basic, with less electronics. It is so reliable and with regular maintenance, like oil changes every 5K intervals, it looks like it will go on forever.

[petestaint]

Excellent video, Shari. We need simpler cars and less electronics. The car makers are complicating the issues.. thanks for posting!

[mikej]

Don't buy Stellantis, Ford Dodge or GM. Solves most problems

[jeffreyscott]

Yes designed obsolescence is real, dealerships don’t make money if your car lasts 25 years, they would rather sell you a new car every 7 or 8 years.

[navajojohn]

A friend found out the hard way her Ford Explorer had electronic steering almost killing her on the highway when it failed and locked up. Only $2k later she had her car fixed. Then it has an internal water pump that failed and filled her oil with water. Got it fixed and sold the POS.

[navajojohn]

My 1999 Saturn SC2 still strong and looking good after all these years. Bought from my aunt in 2008 with 34, 000 miles for $4k.

[Tonyjr]

One of the major problems with reliability are the parts from the OEMs. These companies make most all the safety and infotainment components.
You'd think with more safety features the cost of insurance would go down. The short answer is no because the cost to repair is much higher. As far as emissions and mileage, most auto makers have gone to hybrid. This also increase the cost of the vehicle. So at the end of the day we pay higher for the vehicle and higher for insurance. Not to mention high repair costs once the warranty expires.

[SolidAsianGold]

The more Big Brother and EPA stick their noses into things, the less reliable cars become.

[kenm]

I'm 73 so don't need to worry too much about new cars and the ridiculous electronic "features". All I really need is AC. My 2006 Scion XB gets 34 mpg, and my 2013 Yaris gets around 38. A 4 speed automatic transmission is perfectly adequate (Scion is 5 sp manual). Anyway, after owning about 20 vehicles in my life, I'll buy nothing but Toyota now, though I'd consider Honda or Mazda.

[billyrock]

Avoid Jeep, Mercedes and Range Rover and you’ll be fine. These are the lowest of the low end junkers.

[AyaWetts]

Toyota used to make really reliable cars... they have been cutting major corners the last few years

[MultiMusicbuff]

I bought a used 2013 Toyota Corolla 4 years ago.I change the oil every 4000 to 5000 miles.I met plenty of people who think oil is so advanced these days to last 10 000 miles.Those who buy into that lie are cutting the lives of their vehicles short.

[cfb]

Had a Toyota Corolla and Honda CRV for 20 years each. My "new car" is a 2021 Mazda CX5 Touring (Select). Bought it new and in 4 months it will be 3 years old. Approaching 50, 000 miles and so far no problems.

[MM-giqj]

You're wrong. Benz used to make cars that lasted 30 years. Now their cars break down after a few years. Hence, some manufacturers DO intentionally make crappy cars.

[terp]

It's getting harder and harder to do this, but avoid turbochargers, air suspensions, and GDI engines.

[worrymuch]

I've said this in another post angine with less than 4 cylinders belongs on a yard tractor, turbos just make for more trouble than they're worth. The cylinder deactivation sorry I don't believe that the fuel savings is that much plus you've 4 cylinders that are essentially dead weight that still need oil otherwise the engine goes belly up. Technology can be awesome but also ensue the law of unintended consequences.
Mad Magazine once did a Now and Then parody, first panel shows a mechanic standing in front of what looks like a model T with a ballon saying this wire burned out that will $1 parts and labor, next panel same scenario but now saw wire burned out you'll need a new engine $4000. Smallest engine I'd ever seen was in a Lloyd, it was a glorified motorcycle engine top speed 70 mph used next to nothing on fuel but you wouldn't want to get in an accident with it. This was in the late 50s early 60s.
You can find the Lloyd on you tube.

[wearethelandrovers]

When I was a teenager back in the sixties, my father told me that there were two choices for buying cars.

If you wanted Nice, you got whatever lead sled Detroit said you had to buy.

If you wanted small, you got some cheap European tin can.

Then came the Arab oil embargo in 1973 where gas prices doubled overnight. People discovered Japanese cars. Americans suddenly learned that you could have a nice car that also was small. Japanese cars are still the nice ones

[stevekone]

When our 22 YO minivan died earlier this yr, we went to buy a new car. Telling the salesman what we don't like: Turbo; sun/moon roof; flat tire repair kit; frameless door window, we ended up buying a Mazda CX-5. 2.5L NA base model. We are happy with it. Now it serves us along with the other small car: 2005 Toyota Echo which still running ok although getting a bit rusty and noisy with the engine. I've thought about replacing it with a new Corolla or Civic but my mechanic told me not to. As they don't make simple yet reliable cars like the Echo(or Yaris, the model that replaced Echo) anymore.