Transmission repairs can cost more than your car’s worth, turning what seemed like a smart purchase into a financial nightmare. Consumer Reports data reveals certain models consistently fail, leaving owners stranded with repair bills reaching $9,000. These vehicles share common patterns: premature failures, costly fixes, and manufacturer design flaws that persist across model years.
20. Nissan Pathfinder (2013 – 2014) (Exterior)
The 2013-2014 Nissan Pathfinder leads the pack with severe CVT issues. Owners report violent juddering during acceleration, followed by complete system failure—sometimes while driving. The transmission design suffers from chronic overheating and rapid fluid degradation, creating metal-on-metal wear that destroys the entire system.
19. Nissan Murano (2011, 2013) (Exterior)
The 2011 and 2013 Nissan Murano shares these systemic problems. CVT overheating and fluid leaks cause violent lurching and sudden failures. Some dealers actively avoid these models as trade-ins due to known transmission liabilities, which tells you everything about their reliability.
18. Nissan Rogue CVT (2011 – 2012, 2017 – 2019) (Exterior)
The 2011-2012 and 2017-2019 Nissan Rogue CVT issues are so prevalent that automotive publications formally advise against purchasing these models. Frequent overheating leads to total failure, typically around 107,000 miles, with repair costs often exceeding remaining loan balances.
17. Nissan Altima (2013 – 2018) (Exterior)
The 2013-2018 Nissan Altima triggered class-action lawsuits due to widespread CVT failures. In 2016, nearly half of all NHTSA owner complaints focused on transmission breakdowns, making these sedans extremely risky for used car buyers seeking reliable transportation.
16. Nissan Sentra (2012 – 2015) (Exterior)
The 2012-2015 Nissan Sentra rounds out Nissan’s transmission troubles with catastrophic CVT failures that can literally scatter metal parts across roadways. Beyond safety concerns, persistent drivability and reliability problems make these compact cars poor choices for budget-conscious buyers.
15. Chevrolet Equinox (2018 – 2020) (Exterior)
The 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox suffered multiple recalls for transmission fluid leaks that posed fire hazards. Beyond safety concerns, these transmissions experience difficulty shifting and complete failures before 50,000 miles. Replacement costs often exceed remaining loan balances, leaving owners underwater financially.
14. GMC Acadia (Multiple Years) (Exterior)
GMC Acadia models across various years struggle with the 6T75 automatic transmission. Internal wave plate failures send metal fragments throughout the system, causing hard shifting, delayed engagement, and eventual catastrophic destruction. It’s like watching dominoes fall, but each domino costs thousands to replace.
13. Chevrolet Traverse (2013 – 2015) (Exterior)
The 2013-2015 Chevrolet Traverse uses the same problematic 6T75 6-speed automatic. Frequent shuddering, jerky shifts, and torque converter problems plague these vehicles. Wave plates crack regularly, resulting in total failure and loss of reverse gear—leaving owners literally unable to back out of parking spaces.
12. Ford Focus PowerShift DCT (2012 – 2016) (Exterior)
The 2012-2016 Ford Focus PowerShift DCT became infamous for jerking, inconsistent shifting, and persistent problems that Ford never fully resolved. The issues triggered frequent legal action, resulting in buyback programs and extended warranties that barely addressed the underlying design flaws.
11. Ford Fiesta (2011 – 2016) (Exterior)
Even worse, the 2011-2016 Ford Fiesta earned Consumer Reports’ designation as having one of the worst transmissions ever produced. The DCT design creates near-constant shudder, harsh and delayed engagement, and complete failures that led to massive class-action settlements. Ford’s response? They kept producing these cars for years after acknowledging the problems.
10. Toyota RAV4 (2001 – 2003) (Exterior)
The 2001-2003 Toyota RAV4 experienced harsh shifting due to faulty engine control modules, while the 2019 model suffered low-speed vibrations and transmission failures—unusual problems that damaged Toyota’s typically stellar reputation.
9. Toyota Highlander (2017 – 2021) (Exterior)
The 2017-2021 Toyota Highlander struggled with its 8-speed automatic transmission. Harsh and delayed shifting, acceleration hesitation, and class-action lawsuits followed. Multiple technical bulletins offered only temporary relief, proving that even Toyota isn’t immune to transmission troubles.
8. Infini QX60 (2014) (Exterior)
The 2014 Infiniti QX60 uses Nissan’s problematic CVT technology, proving that luxury branding can’t fix fundamental engineering flaws. Early failures around 93,000 miles, grinding noises, and violent shifting dominated owner feedback, making this SUV a risky luxury purchase.
7. Mini Cooper (2003 – 2006) (Exterior)
Mini Cooper models from 2003-2006 featured early CVT systems that failed well before 100,000 miles. The company’s “lifetime” fluid claims proved false—the transmission actually required frequent fluid changes that most owners never received, accelerating wear and failure.
6. Hyundai Sonata (2011 – 2014) (Exterior)
The 2011-2014 and 2016 Hyundai Sonata models experienced transmission cable detachment causing unintended vehicle movement—a serious safety concern that triggered recalls. The 2016 model added severe slipping and abrupt, hazardous shifts to the mix. Repairs routinely cost $2,000-$4,000.
5. Honda Odyssey Minivans (Multiple Years) (Exterior)
Honda Odyssey minivans across various years developed jerky shifting, delayed acceleration, and unpredictable failures. These problems intensified during heavily loaded conditions or stop-and-go driving—exactly when families need reliable transportation most.
4. Honda Accord (1998 – 2005) (Exterior)
The 1998-2005 Honda Accord, particularly the 2003 model, suffered widespread transmission failures including slipping, gear loss, and repairs that often exceeded the vehicle’s remaining value. Average repair costs reached $2,700, making these Accords economically totaled.
3. Volkswagen Jetta GLI & Golf GTI (Multiple Years) (Exterior)
Volkswagen Jetta GLI and Golf GTI models across various years feature DSG transmissions prone to mechatronic unit failure. These failures cause jerky shifts, delayed engagement, and limp mode activation—turning spirited driving machines into sluggish commuter cars requiring expensive repairs.
2. Kia Forte (2019 Onward) (Exterior)
The 2019+ Kia Forte offers both CVT and DCT transmission options, and both have documented high failure rates. DCT-equipped models experience burnt clutches, gear grinding, and extensive parts backorders due to overwhelming demand from transmission failures—a red flag for any potential buyer.
1. Dodge Grand Caravan (2008 – 2013, 2015 – 2016) (Exterior)
The 2008-2013 and 2015-2016 Dodge Grand Caravan uses the 62TE automatic transmission with a critical snap ring flaw. This defect leads to cascading transmission wear and sudden pump failures, resulting in multiple recalls and roadside strandings that leave families stranded.
Last modified: October 9, 2025
