Automotive

Least Reliable Model Years of These 5 Cars Known for Reliability

Updated 7/9/2026. 

Editor’s Note: Drew Blankenship has spent decades working on and maintaining vehicles. He’s worked on everything from Honda to Porsche and Lamborghini, but there are several brands that most mechanics agree on. However, not every model is created equal. 

Toyota, Honda, Subaru, and Lexus consistently rank among the most reliable automakers in owner surveys from Consumer Reports, but even the best manufacturers occasionally produce a troublesome generation. As someone who’s spent years working around vehicles and repair shops, I’ve learned that buying the “right brand” isn’t enough. You also need the right model year. One bad engine design, transmission update, or cost-cutting decision can turn an otherwise dependable car into an expensive mistake. That’s why looking beyond the badge is one of the smartest things a used-car buyer can do.

1. Toyota Camry (2007–2008)

The Camry is practically the poster child for reliability until 2007 and 2008. Those years saw a series of safety-related recalls, including an all-weather floor mat that could trap the accelerator and unintended acceleration issues, prompting a massive recall campaign. Owners also reported excessive oil consumption in the early XV40 models, further tarnishing the reputation of a car usually praised for consistency. If you’re hunting for a used Camry, definitely tread carefully around these model years. 

Why This Model Year Is Less Reliable

There are a few things that make the 07-09 model Camrys a bit less reliable. According to the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), these are among the most common compliants:

• 2AZ-FE engine
• oil consumption
• piston ring issue

Consumer Reports continues to rank the Camry among the industry’s most reliable sedans, but owner surveys and complaint databases show these years were clear outliers. And if you do decide that you want one of these model years, you’re in luck. Toyota has (and will) fix the oil consumption issues, which are caused by ill-fitted piston rings. As a result, many people still buy these models and drive them today, despite it being labeled as one of the worst years for the Camry.

2. Honda Accord (2008–2009)

Normally, the Accord is a rock-solid choice… except in 2008–2009. My buddy owned one, and it was more trouble than it was worth most of the time. These years suffered from sudden side curtain airbag deployments and a nasty class-action lawsuit over rapidly wearing rear brake pads. These issues were serious enough to prompt recalls and compensation, but the damage to owner trust had already begun. If you’re looking at an Accord, I’d recommend skipping these years. Better safe than stuck with a surprise repair bill.

Why This Model Year Is Less Reliable

There are several things that contribute to the 08-09 Accords being less reliable than other model years. The top reasons are:

• premature rear brake wear
• Takata recall
• V6 VCM concerns

Ultimately, the Takata airbag recall is the biggest issue because it involves safety. Airbags impacted by this recall can spontaneously deploy, causing serious injury. Like the Camry, there were also complaints about oil consumption (likely due to the V6). Several complaints also included a loud rattling noise upon cold start.

3. Ford Explorer (2002–2004 & 2011–2019)

Don’t let the Explorer’s reputation for ruggedness fool you; some years really don’t hold up. The early 2000s (especially 2002–2004) are notorious for widespread transmission failures. CarComplaints.com even ranks the 2002 Explorer among the “Worst Vehicles on Record.” Fast forward to 2011–2019, and you’ve got water pump failures that dump coolant into the crankcase, PTU (power transfer unit) overheating, and timing chain issues, all potentially engine-destroying problems. If you’re shopping for a used Explorer, these are the least reliable model years you want to avoid (unless you’re a mechanic yourself).

Why These Model Years Are Less Reliable

Depending on the model years you are looking at, the most common problems that make these less reliable are:

• 5R55 transmission failures
• internal water pump
• PTU failures
• timing chain repairs

Common complaints from owners of the 02-04 models included sudden slipping, harsh, erratic shifting, or total failure between 50,000 and 100,000 miles, and the cost to repair it can exceed $2,800. This can also be a serious safety concern because, according to reports, the transmission slipping can happen at any given speed.

When it comes to the 2011 through 2019 models, there have been some serious issues. In 2018, there was a massive recall due to faulty clips that hold the trim that covers the vehicle’s roof supports by the windshield. Apart from that safety concern, they are also known to have water pump issues, which can be a headache to fix (and expensive in some cases).

4. Subaru Outback / Legacy (Early 2000s Boxer Engine Years)

Subaru’s Outback and Legacy models carry a reputation for lasting a lifetime, but not always. Early 2000s models, especially those with boxer engines, had notorious head gasket failures that often popped up just past 100,000 miles. While not listed in our primary sources, this is widely known among owners and mechanics as one of those frustrating exceptions to Subaru’s reliable image. In these cases, the engine work can cost thousands and totally squeeze your wallet. So even brands known for reliability have the least reliable model years, and this is one of them.

Why This Model Year Is Less Reliable

Although Subarus are known to be relatively reliable, these early 2000s models had serious issues due to:

• EJ25 engine
• external head gasket leaks
• updated MLS gasket

The “Boxer” engine years are really rough ones for Subaru, and I’d recommend you steer clear of them if you can. This engine was known to cause severe head gasket failures that cause engine overheating, coolant leaks, and fuel pump failures. Many owners complained to the NHTSA about gas fumes in their car due to faulty gas lines as well.

5. Lexus ES (2007–2009)

Lexus often tops reliability charts, but the ES badge wasn’t flawless in 2007–2009. Alongside the Camry of the same era, it was part of the major floor mat/accelerator pedal safety recalls. It inherited some of those same unintended acceleration concerns and recall messes, so suddenly that luxury feel turned into unwanted worry. If you’re eyeing an ES from those years, that itch to save money might cost you more in safety and peace of mind. That makes these years among the least reliable model years for what’s usually an icon of dependable cruising.

Why This Model Year Is Less Reliable

You’ll notice that this model Lexus is the same model year as the Camry mentioned above. Because they are both manufactured by Toyota, they often share the same major problems. For this model it was mainly:

• accelerator recalls

It was also involved in the Takata airbag recall (one of the largest recalls in automotive history). And the accelerator issues were bad enough that the NHTSA published a paper about a private citizen petition. Other common complaints included shaking at highway speeds, oil leaks, and glitches in the navigation display.

When Do The Breakdowns Occur?

If you come across one of these vehicles that has relatively low mileage, you may have some luck. For a while, at least. However, breakdowns are noted later. Here’s what has been recorded.

Vehicle	Problem Years	Common Failure Mileage	Major Problem
Camry	2007-09	80k-150k	Oil consumption
Accord	2008-09	60k-120k	Rear brakes / airbags
Explorer	2002-04	80k-130k	Transmission
Explorer	2011-19	90k-140k	Water pump/PTU
Subaru	2000-2009	90k-130k	Head gaskets
Lexus ES	2007-09	varies	Recall-related

Better Years to Buy Instead

Typically, these cars are incredibly reliable. These model years just got a bad rap. That said, you should definitely look into these models instead…

Avoid	Buy Instead
Camry 2007-09	2012-2017 Camry
Accord 2008-09	2013-2017 Accord
Explorer 2011-19	2020+ Explorer (after checking recalls)
Subaru 2000-09	2015+ Outback
Lexus ES 2007-09	2013-2018 ES

Before Buying Any Used Car

We’ve covered what you should check before (and after) buying a used car. You can see a full list here. But definitely look at the following:

• Check recalls
• Service records
• Oil change history
• Cold start
• Transmission operation
• Suspension noises
• Rust
• Independent Pre-purchase Inspection

What This Really Means for You

One of the biggest mistakes used-car shoppers make is assuming every model year is created equal. In reality, automakers constantly revise engines, transmissions, electronics, and software, meaning one year can become a standout while the next develops a reputation for expensive repairs. Spending a few extra minutes researching a vehicle’s specific model year (along with its recall history, maintenance records, and common owner complaints) can save thousands of dollars over the life of the vehicle. The badge on the hood matters, but the model year often matters even more.

Have you ever bought a car celebrated for reliability only to get burned by a bad model year? Let me know your story in the comments below!

A note about our complaint data in this article: Consumer Reports bases reliability predictions on hundreds of thousands of owner survey responses each year, while complaint databases like CarComplaints and NHTSA help identify recurring problems that may not affect every vehicle but appear often enough to deserve attention.

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