If waiting for Ubers and learning a new city’s transit system isn’t in the cards for your summer travels in 2024, there’s good news. Rental fleets are stocked full and you’ll have plenty of choices of cars to rent. Just make sure you choose one from a brand with a reputation for making user-friendly, feature-rich, cost-effective models — but whichever automaker you choose, make sure it’s not one of these.
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Chrysler
Twenty-five years ago in 1999, Edmunds.com hosted a chat thread titled “Has Chrysler Reliability Improved?”
It chronicled the nameplate’s “very, very low” overall reliability record and featured scores of disappointing first-person accounts of trouble with the brand’s vehicles.
In the mid-2000s, Consumer Reports ranked all Fiat Chrysler brands in the bottom third of its reliability surveys, which forced the automaker’s VP of quality to resign.
This year, the decades-long trend continued, with Consumer Reports giving popular models like the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid “less reliable than the average” ratings. RepairPal mires the brand in double-digit segment reliability rankings and says it has “above average ownership costs.”
“Chrysler is a popular car brand for rental agencies, but it has reliability issues,” said Melanie Musson, an auto industry expert with AutoInsurance.org. “Not just one thing tends to go wrong. Often, there’s a risk of many different things going wrong. The Pacifica Hybrid is especially unreliable. While some hybrids provide excellent fuel economy, the Pacifica doesn’t.”
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Volkswagen
RepairPal ranks VW 12th among 32 car brands for reliability. For context, Chrysler ranks 11th.
“Volkswagen is a rental car budget brand, but you should steer clear unless you’re prepared to deal with issues,” Musson said. “They’re one of the least reliable vehicle brands, and their design and passenger comfort leave much to be desired.”
Fiat
A multinational corporation called Stellantis owns Chrysler and 13 other automotive brands. On the high end are Alpha Romeo and Maserati. On the low end are Chrysler and Fiat.
People rent Fiats because they’re adorable and have a quirky European look and feel, but they’re notorious for creating headaches among drivers. RepairPal ranks the brand as a lousy 18th out of 32 automakers.
“While often affordable, Fiat vehicles are known for their below-average reliability and higher maintenance costs, which could lead to issues during a rental period,” said auto expert Rob Dillan, founder of EVhype.
Jeep
Jeep people love their Jeeps to the point of worship — they even wave to each other on the road and do that whole rubber duck thing.
But that doesn’t mean they make good rentals.
“Despite their popularity, many Jeep models, like the Cherokee, have been reported to have frequent mechanical problems and lower fuel efficiency, making them less ideal for summer rentals,” Dillan said.
RepairPal ranks Jeep — which joins Chrysler and Fiat among Stellantis’ holdings — as the 15th most reliable brand out of 32 automakers.
Land Rover
If you’re willing to spend a little more, renting a car gives you the chance to see life through the eyes of people who drive prestige-nameplate status-symbol vehicles — but not all luxury brands offer a get-what-you-pay-for user experience.
“Known for luxury and off-road capability, Land Rovers are also notorious for their high maintenance costs and reliability issues, which could cause headaches for renters,” Dillan said.
According to FINN car subscription service, “Range Rover SUVs struggle with their reputation for reliability,” citing “electrical issues, premature failure of advanced suspension components, and a tendency to spend more time in the shop than other indulgent vehicles.”
Tesla
So, you’ve never driven an electric car — in fact, you’ve never even been in one. What better time to take the plunge than during an extended test drive with a rental — and if you’re going to do it, it has to be a Tesla, right?
Just make sure you’re ready for unfamiliar controls and performance — not to mention range anxiety since you won’t be plugging in at home like most EV owners.
“Chances are, you’re not going to find a Tesla that’s cheap to rent,” Musson said. “But even if you do, you should avoid it unless you’re used to driving an electric car. Charging stations in parts of the country are few and far between. For example, if you’re planning to drive through Yellowstone National Park in an EV, you’re going to have a high chance of being stranded because your battery goes dead.”
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Car Brands To Avoid If You’re Getting a Rental During Summer Travel — Even If They’re Cheap
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