A popular SUV can still become an expensive mistake when a particular model year develops recurring mechanical or safety problems. The key is to look beyond a vehicle’s reputation and examine documented complaints, technical service bulletins, recalls, and reported repair patterns.
CarComplaints organizes owner reports by vehicle and model year, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides official complaint and recall records.
Neither source proves that every SUV from a flagged year is defective, but together they can help used-car shoppers identify models that deserve extra scrutiny before money changes hands.
1. 2016 Ford Explorer
The 2016 Ford Explorer deserves scrutiny because its complaint history includes reports involving steering, engine performance, and transmission operation.
CarComplaints lists approximately 3,000 complaints for this model year on its database page, along with 12 recalls, two defect investigations, and hundreds of technical service bulletins. Those figures are database snapshots and can change as records are updated.
One concern is the range of reported faults. CarComplaints lists 157 engine complaints and 61 steering complaints in its category breakdown, alongside reports of transmission failure and power-steering problems.
Its most prominent listed problems include transmission failure, with an estimated repair cost of $4,800 at an average reported mileage of 48,000 miles, and power-steering failure, with an estimated repair cost of $2,000 at 57,000 miles.
These are owner-reported averages on the website, not guaranteed repair prices or official estimates for every Explorer.
Steering issues deserve particular attention on any used SUV because they can affect control of the vehicle. During a test drive, check for unusual steering effort, warning messages, vibration, or noises while turning.
A mechanic should inspect the steering system and scan for stored fault codes. Do not dismiss a warning simply because it disappears after restarting the engine.
The Explorer’s complaint record does not establish that every 2016 example is defective, and the raw total does not account for how many vehicles were sold. Nevertheless, a buyer should verify recall completion by VIN, request repair invoices, and obtain an independent inspection before purchasing.
If the seller cannot explain a history of steering or transmission repairs, walking away may be the safer financial decision.
2. 2014 Jeep Cherokee
The 2014 Jeep Cherokee marked the start of a new generation, introducing a nine-speed automatic transmission to the compact SUV segment. Although it featured contemporary styling and optional four-wheel-drive capability, its history of consumer complaints makes transmission performance an important factor for used-car buyers to assess before purchasing.
CarComplaints lists 735 complaints for the 2014 Cherokee in its model-year comparison, while its dedicated page reports 426 transmission-problem entries. The website also lists 13 recalls and three defect investigations for this model year. These figures represent records on the site, not a verified failure rate across all Cherokees sold.
Owner reports listed by the site include rough shifting, transmission failure, and loss of power while driving. Its complaint summaries estimate a $3,500 repair cost for a reported transmission failure, with an average reported mileage of 30,000 miles.
Another entry concerning loss of power while driving lists an estimated $7,300 repair cost at 45,000 miles. These are complaint-based estimates and should not be treated as current quotes from a repair shop.
The best way to assess a used example is to test it under varied conditions. Drive from a cold start, accelerate gently and firmly, and pay attention to hesitation, abrupt shifts, shuddering, or unexpected loss of power.
Have a qualified mechanic check transmission operation and scan the control modules for stored codes. Ask whether software updates or transmission repairs have been performed, and request documentation rather than relying on a seller’s verbal assurance.
Not every 2014 Cherokee will experience these problems. Vehicle condition, maintenance, previous repairs, and the exact powertrain matter. Still, the number and nature of transmission complaints justify extra caution.
Check open recalls by VIN through NHTSA and make the purchase conditional on a satisfactory independent inspection. If the transmission already behaves abnormally, do not assume a fluid change will necessarily resolve the problem.
3. 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers a comfortable interior, strong towing capacity in suitably equipped models, and several available four-wheel-drive options. However, its history of reported complaints points to transmission performance as a key issue that prospective used-car buyers should investigate before making a purchase.
CarComplaints lists roughly 1,000 complaints for this model year, alongside 10 recalls and seven defect investigations. The site’s complaint summaries specifically describe early transmission-related complaints involving rough shifts, jerking, and hesitation.
The database lists 82 transmission-problem entries. Its most prominent individual reports include electronic shifting problems, with an estimated repair cost of $7,500 at an average reported mileage of 12,000 miles, and improper shifting, with an estimated $1,900 repair cost at 28,000 miles.
These are estimates derived from reports submitted to the website, not standardized repair quotes or proof that every vehicle will experience the same faults.
Why pay particular attention to shifting? Modern automatic transmissions rely on mechanical components, hydraulic controls, and electronic management. A problem can range from a software or calibration issue to a more substantial mechanical fault. A test drive may reveal symptoms, but it cannot always identify the underlying cause.
When inspecting a used Grand Cherokee, drive it at different speeds and allow it to shift through its gears naturally. Look for delayed engagement when selecting Drive or Reverse, harsh shifts, warning lights, or unusual noises.
Request service invoices and ask whether the transmission has been repaired or updated. A pre-purchase inspection by a technician familiar with Jeep vehicles is especially valuable.
The complaint history is a warning to investigate, not proof that all 2015 examples should be rejected. Check the VIN for open recalls and confirm that any applicable work has been completed. If the seller cannot document previous transmission repairs or the SUV shifts abnormally during the drive, obtain a professional diagnosis before negotiating a price.
4. 2013 Ford Escape
The 2013 Ford Escape warrants particular caution because its early production history included multiple recalls involving engine and fire risks. CarComplaints reports that the model was recalled several times shortly after its release, including campaigns related to fuel leaks and coolant leakage that could create fire hazards.
The website lists 17 recalls, three defect investigations, and a large number of engine-related complaints for this model year.
The complaint categories show why the engine and cooling systems deserve close attention. CarComplaints lists 127 engine-problem entries, with 1,485 associated NHTSA complaints in its category breakdown.
Its worst-problem summaries also include transmission failure, with an estimated repair cost of $4,400 at an average reported mileage of 77,000 miles, and power-steering failure, estimated at $1,500 at 64,000 miles.
These figures are website-reported estimates and should not be mistaken for official repair costs or a prediction for an individual Escape.
The historical fire-related recalls are more serious than ordinary complaints about rattles or interior trim. A fuel leak can create an ignition risk, while a coolant leak can lead to overheating or other engine damage.
Owners should confirm that every recall applicable to their VIN has been completed, rather than assuming a vehicle is safe because it has passed a routine inspection.
During a used-car inspection, look for signs of coolant loss, overheating, fuel odors, unexplained fluid residue, or engine warning lights.
Ask for maintenance records and have a qualified mechanic inspect the engine, cooling system, fuel system, steering, and transmission. Do not continue driving a vehicle that shows signs of a fuel leak or serious overheating.
The 2013 Escape’s history makes it a model year to approach carefully. It does not establish that every surviving example is defective, but missing recall documentation, repeated overheating, or unresolved engine symptoms should be treated as significant reasons to pause or walk away.
5. 2015 Nissan Pathfinder
The 2015 Nissan Pathfinder is worth examining carefully because this generation used a continuously variable transmission, or CVT, and the broader Pathfinder model history has included transmission-related concerns.
However, a responsible buying guide should not label a specific year defective without confirming the evidence for that exact model year. CarComplaints and NHTSA provide separate complaint and recall records, and the number of reports alone does not establish a confirmed defect rate.
For a used Pathfinder, the transmission should be a central part of the inspection. During a test drive, pay attention to shuddering, unusual whining, hesitation when accelerating, delayed engagement, or a loss of power.
Symptoms can have multiple causes, and an owner report is not enough to determine whether a particular vehicle needs a software update, maintenance, or a major repair. A qualified Nissan technician can inspect the CVT and retrieve diagnostic trouble codes.
Service history is particularly useful for an older SUV with a complex transmission. Ask for invoices documenting maintenance performed according to the schedule for the specific vehicle and driving conditions.
Be cautious if the seller reports recurring transmission warnings, says the vehicle occasionally enters a reduced-power mode, or cannot explain why the transmission fluid or related components were serviced.
The Pathfinder’s appeal includes its family-oriented cabin and available three-row seating. Those benefits may matter to a buyer, but they should not distract from checking mechanical condition.
Before purchasing, verify the VIN for open NHTSA recalls and check whether any relevant manufacturer campaigns or warranty extensions apply. Recall eligibility and coverage depend on the specific vehicle, and not every service bulletin is a safety recall.
6. 2014 Chevrolet Equinox
The 2014 Chevrolet Equinox may look like a practical used SUV, but its complaint history gives buyers several reasons to investigate the engine and visibility systems before purchasing one. CarComplaints lists excessive oil consumption, engine-related failures, and windshield-wiper problems among the concerns reported by owners.
According to CarComplaints, the model year has 136 complaints displayed on its recall page, one safety recall, and two defect investigations. Its dedicated problem page separately lists 72 engine-problem entries, including reports of excessive oil consumption, engine failure, and timing-chain problems.
These are owner-reported complaints, not proof that every 2014 Equinox has a mechanical defect.
One concern is excessive oil consumption. Owners should check the oil level regularly and investigate unexplained drops rather than assuming the engine is simply aging. Reports of engine stalling, warning lights, and internal engine damage also make a thorough mechanical inspection worthwhile.
The SUV has another documented issue involving its windshield-wiper system. NHTSA recall 22V-165 covers certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles because corrosion can cause the wipers to become inoperative, reducing visibility in certain driving conditions.
The recall remedy involves dealer inspection and repair or replacement as necessary. Buyers should confirm completion using the vehicle identification number (VIN).
Before buying a 2014 Equinox, have a mechanic inspect the engine for oil leaks, unusual noises, and signs of excessive oil consumption. Review maintenance invoices, check for warning lights, and verify the recall status.
The 2014 Equinox is not automatically a vehicle to reject, but unexplained oil loss, a history of engine repairs, or an unresolved safety recall should prompt further investigation before money changes hands.
