Forbes.com Calls Out 10 Clunkers to Avoid

November 13, 2009

Email this story Printer Friendly Version

NEW YORK — Forbes.com recently named what it considers to be the "worst clunkers on the road," based on reliability (or lack, thereof) and repair costs.

In compiling the list of "10 Clunker Cars to Avoid," Forbes.com took Vincentric's five-year repair-cost data on 2009 model-year vehicles and coupled it with Consumers Reports' reliability ratings. The site then combined these scores to determine the results.

Interestingly enough, the list wasn't entirely composed of large trucks and SUVs. Also, the list was somewhat diverse, as nine different brands from various OEMs throughout both the U.S. and Europe were represented.

"It's telling that these cars aren't all compact sedans or heavy SUVs. They don't all come from one brand or one part of the world, either — though Detroit has more than its share of space on the list," Hannah Elliott, of Forbes.com, wrote in her analysis.

"Owners of Volkswagen's Touareg and the Jaguar XF, for instance, can expect to be at the mechanic shop much more frequently than owners of, say, the Infiniti M35," she continued. "They'll pay more than $1,000 each on repair over five years' time."

Additionally, there were no Asian brands at all on the Forbes.com list, Elliott pointed out, as none even "came close to making our list."

More specifically, 38 of the top 48 models in terms of reliability scores are from Asian automakers. Toyota leads with the way with 18, followed by Honda (eight), Nissan (four), Hyundai/Kia (three) and Subaru (three).

Continuing on, Forbes.com emphasized that the performance of one or two models, however, should not be the basis by which a brand is viewed.

"Despite the GL-Class finding a place on our list, Mercedes-Benz registered large improvements this year, with most of its models rated at least average for their reliability," Elliott wrote. "The GL even received a respectable score of 77 for its overall performance — a testament to its other strengths. And the GLK earned exceptionally strong marks from Consumer Reports."

Elliott also gave the example of Volvo, which didn't have any models make the Clunkers list and had all of its sedans receive average or better scores from Consumer Reports. However, Volvo's XC90 SUV was rated below average, she noted.

Not to mention, Porsche's Boxter failed to get recommended by Consumer Reports, even though brand is largely considered to be strong in terms of satisfaction and quality, according to Forbes.com

"It just goes to show that general rules in the automotive world still apply: Chrysler struggles with reliability issues; Asian automakers continue to excel," Elliott stated. "Overarching generalizations, however, are best avoided."

The following is Forbes.com complete list of "10 Clunker Cars to Avoid":

Chevrolet Colorado
Reliability Rating: Over 100 percent worse than average
Overall Consumer Reports Rating: 41
Five-year Cost of Repairs: $798

Chrysler Sebring Convertible
Reliability Rating: Over 90 percent worse than average
Overall Consumer Reports Rating: 45
Five-year Cost of Repairs: $770

Chrysler Town & Country
Reliability Rating: Over 100 percent worse than average
Overall Consumer Reports Rating: 64
Five-year Cost of Repairs: $807

Dodge Grand Caravan
Reliability Rating: Over 100 percent worse than average
Overall Consumer Reports Rating: 60
Five-year Cost of Repairs: $807

Ford F-250
Reliability Rating: Over 100 percent worse than average
Overall Consumer Reports Rating: 37
Five-year Cost of Repairs: $969

GMC Canyon
Reliability Rating: Over 100 percent worse than average
Overall Consumer Reports Rating: 41
Five-year Cost of Repairs: $718

Jaguar XF
Reliability Rating: Over 100 percent worse than average
Overall Consumer Reports Rating: 72
Five-year Cost of Repairs: $1,301

Lincoln MKS
Reliability Rating: Over 80 percent worse than average
Overall Consumer Reports Rating: 73
Five-year Cost of Repairs: $869

Mercedes-Benz GL450
Reliability Rating: Over 100 percent worse than average
Overall Consumer Reports Rating: 77
Five-year Cost of Repairs: $1,501

Volkswagen Touareg
Reliability Rating: Over 100 percent worse than average
Overall Consumer Reports Rating: 66
Five-year Cost of Repairs: $907

Trends & Stats