Car Experts Say Beware These 5 American Cars That Cost the Most Money Over Time

Many buyers are drawn to American cars for the perception of reliability and durability. But that perception isn’t true of every model. You might be surprised just how much the less reliable vehicles on the market could end up costing you.

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Here are several popular models that look tempting on the showroom floor but could leave you with serious buyer’s remorse down the road.

Ford Bronco Sport

The Ford Bronco Sport is popular with adventure enthusiasts for its rugged off-road capabilities. But this compact SUV might take you on an unexpected financial journey that’s rougher than any off-road trail.

“It’s very rare to find a model recalled for every issue imaginable, such as automatic transmission modules, fuel injection system, sunroofs or missing bolts in the suspension,” said Evaldas Zabitis, automotive expert at carVertical. “The Ford Bronco Sport was even recalled due to poorly manufactured tires, which speaks volumes about the car’s overall quality and what you can expect when the warranty runs out.”

Maintenance costs will add up quickly for the Bronco Sport.

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Jeep Gladiator

The Jeep Gladiator, a unique blend of pickup truck and Wrangler-inspired off-roader, might catch your wallet off guard with its long-term ownership costs.

“The Jeep Gladiator, which combines pickup utility with off-road capabilities, comes with notable maintenance expenses,” said the AI auto expert at AutoEasy , founded by Daniel Yuabov. “While not as costly as some heavy-duty trucks, the Gladiator still requires regular repairs that can add up over time, especially when subjected to frequent off-road use.”

The Gladiator’s maintenance costs are a definite cause for concern. And, if you’re going to be using it off road, that means more wear and tear on components, which will only aggravate the costs of maintaining your Jeep.

Jeep Grand Cherokee 4XE

The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4XE is a plug-in hybrid. But this eco-friendly SUV might not be as kind to your bank account as it is to the environment.

“It can be driven using petrol or electric motors,” Zabitis said. “Theoretically, it offers the best of both worlds, but from a long-term maintenance perspective, it will be expensive.”

Maintenance costs for the 4XE are going to be a double-edged sword. The hybrid engine means you might save on less frequent oil changes,  but the complexity of the hybrid system also means there are more points of potential failure.

“A complex hybrid powertrain, with its additional components, will eventually wear out and require replacement,” Zabitis said. “The same applies to the battery pack, which, due to frequent charging and discharging, will lead to battery degradation and the replacement of the whole battery. Today, the approximate cost of the battery pack is $12,000.”

Jeep Wrangler

The Wrangler is an off-road icon with a loyal following. So it might seem like a solid investment due to its strong resale value.

“Despite the fact that these cars are consumer favorites, these cars do not last over time and come with high maintenance and replacement part costs,” said Jamie Mitri, manager of Cumberland Hill Auto Sales and Service . “They are also more prone to issues within the first 10 years of manufacture.”

Chris Pyle, auto expert with JustAnswer , said, “They are just not built well. They start off as good vehicles, but the upkeep starts getting excessive and expensive. Before you know it, you are at the shop more than on the highway. However, it is not all the fault of the manufacturer. These vehicles get abused with racing, off-roading and towing too much. Also, they need more frequent maintenance for this abuse, which is not done.”

Lincoln Navigator

The Lincoln Navigator might seem like the pinnacle of luxury. But if you’re not careful, it could cost you even more than you think.

“The Navigator is big on comfort, interior space and luxury, but all these features have huge maintenance costs,” Zabitis said. “The turbocharged V6 is powerful and suits the car’s character, but the fuel economy is horrible even compared with other similarly sized models. Moreover, the Navigator loses more than half of its value over the five years of ownership.”

Maintenance costs for the Navigator can be astronomical. It’s packed with high-end features that are going to be expensive to repair when they inevitably fail. And when the vehicle ages, out-of-warranty repairs could quickly drain your savings.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : Car Experts Say Beware These 5 American Cars That Cost the Most Money Over Time