Before you close the deal, learn about 5 SUVs with high maintenance costs, whether due to chronic problems, expensive parts, or excessive fuel consumption, which can turn your dream of a new car into a financial nightmare.

Buying a used SUV may seem like a great deal, especially when luxury and large models appear at attractive prices. However, behind an attractive purchase price can hide expenses that turn the experience into a real headache. These are SUVs with high maintenance costs , vehicles that can bankrupt you if you’re not prepared.

The problems go far beyond a simple, more expensive oil change. We’re talking about chronic engine and transmission defects, exorbitantly priced replacement parts, and fuel consumption so high that it makes the car unusable for everyday use. With this in mind, we’ve selected five models that require extra attention before purchase.

1. Ford EcoSport (with PowerShift transmission)

The EcoSport revolutionized the Brazilian market, but its second generation (2013 to 2017 models) carries a ticking time bomb: the 
PowerShift automated transmission . This component has become notorious for its chronic problems, which include:

• Excessive vibrations at low speeds.
• Metallic noises and cracks.
• Overheating and strong smell of burnt clutch.
• Loss of power on climbs and getting stuck in a single gear.

Ford extended the component’s warranty at the time, but never issued a full recall, leaving many owners stranded. A complete repair of this transmission can easily exceed R$10,000, making it one of the most expensive SUVs on the market.

2. Mitsubishi Pajero TR4

The Pajero TR4 is a brave and sought-after SUV with real off-road capability. However, it hides a “flaw” that directly affects the owner’s wallet every day: extremely high fuel consumption .

Equipped with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine, owner reports indicate that it’s difficult to achieve averages better than 5 to 6 km/l in the city . For those who drive a lot, the cost of filling the tank becomes a nightmare. Although its mechanics are robust, the cost at the pump puts it on the list of cars that require a generous budget.

3. Hyundai Vera Cruz

A seven-seat SUV with a powerful V6 engine and luxurious trim for the price of a used car. Sounds like the perfect deal, right? The Hyundai Vera Cruz certainly delivers plenty of comfort, but it’s incredibly expensive to run, especially given its 270-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine .

Fuel consumption is its biggest culprit, with averages rarely exceeding 4.5 km/l in the city . Furthermore, because it’s a larger imported car, suspension and trim parts aren’t cheap, making it one of the most attractive and dangerous SUVs with high maintenance costs .

4. Range Rover Sport (2014 onwards)

Buying a used Land Rover is for those with courage and, above all, money to spare. The Range Rover Sport is a luxurious and imposing car, but it has a long history of problems and repairs are extremely expensive.

Major chronic problems include:

• Faults in the 3.0 V6 biturbo diesel engine , such as premature crankshaft failure.
• Air suspension problems , such as punctured or dry-out springs and failed compressors. A complete system repair can cost over R$30,000.

It’s a car that depreciates a lot precisely because its cost of ownership is prohibitive for most people.

5. Porsche Cayenne (1st and 2nd Generation)

The dream of owning a Porsche in your garage for under R$150,000 can quickly turn into a financial nightmare. The Cayenne, especially older generations, is one of the most notoriously expensive SUVs in the luxury market. Everything about it is expensive:

• Brakes: Replacing discs and pads can cost more than R$10,000.
• Cardan: A chronic problem with the central bearing of the cardan shaft requires replacing the entire part, a repair that can cost more than R$20,000.
• Cooling: The system’s plastic hoses dry out and need to be replaced with an aluminum kit, a service that costs over R$5,000.

It’s a car that demands an owner with pockets as deep as the status it provides .

Have you ever had a bad experience with one of these models? Do you know of any other SUVs with high maintenance costs that should be on this list? Leave your comment!