16 Cars, SUVs, and Minivans That Will Drain Your Wallet with High Maintenance Costs

Written by Ian Palmer

Owning a vehicle costs an average of $12,182 annually, or $1,015 per month, according to MoneyGeek.com.

But you know what can make car ownership costs skyrocket to eye-watering levels? An unreliable vehicle that seems to enjoy spending more time with the mechanic than with you.

If you want to avoid paying an arm and a leg on upkeep, check out this list of 16 cars, SUVs, and minivans that are the costliest to maintain based on data from CarEdge.

Chrysler Pacifica

The 2025 Chrysler Pacifica minivan is available with a 287-hp V6 gas engine or a 260-hp plug-in hybrid powertrain. You’ll get front-wheel or all-wheel drive, seven seats, and an 82 combined EPA MPG. While the 10-year maintenance expense of $10,879 is a steal of a deal compared to the average for many trucks on CarEdge’s list, it’s still way more than the cheapest car on the list. That would be the Toyota Prius with a 10-year maintenance cost of $4,156.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Jeep Grand Cherokees are popular because of their off-road capabilities as pioneers in the sports utility vehicle space. It remains among the best-selling mid-size SUVs in the U.S. due to its blend of off-road prowess, towing capability, and comfort. The 10-year maintenance expense for the Jeep Grand Cherokee is $10,873.

Chrysler Voyager

While the last model year for the Chrysler Voyager was 2021, plenty of them remain on the road. The Chrysler Voyager looks an awful lot like the Chrysler Pacifica. That’s because they were different trims of the same vehicle. The 10-year maintenance cost is $10,771.

Dodge Durango

Dodge introduced the first generation of its Durango at the North American International Motor Show in 1997. RepairPal.com gives the vehicle a 3.5/5.0 reliability rating, which is good for third place out of 14 full-size SUVs. According to CarEdge, its 10-year maintenance cost is $10,765.

Dodge Grand Caravan

Many Americans have fond memories of going on road trips or to the family cottage in a Grand Caravan. It was, and for many people still is, the perfect hauler of people and things. RepairPal.com gives the minivan a reliability rating of 4.0/5.0, which means it’s the second-best out of 10 minivans. The 10-year maintenance expense for a Dodge Grand Caravan is $10,693.

Jeep Wrangler

People buy Jeep Wranglers for their durability and off-road capabilities. But some reviewers mention that its on-road driving comfort leaves something to be desired. According to CarEdge, the Jeep Wrangler’s 10-year maintenance cost is $10,662.

Jeep Cherokee

The Jeep Cherokee gets a 4.0/5.0 reliability rating — good for 9th place out of 26 compact SUVs — from RepairPal.com. The SUV, unveiled in 1973, is a pioneer in the space. As for its 10-year maintenance expense, the tally is $10,607.

Jeep Compass

CarEdge gives the Jeep Compass a 10-year maintenance cost of $10,499. If you’re looking for a real off-road SUV, the Jeep Compass isn’t it. There are better options under the Jeep umbrella. But the 2025 model year offers AWD as a standard drivetrain and good power.

Jeep Renegade

The Jeep Renegade is another SUV under the Jeep brand. When looking at reviews, you’ll notice complaints that it’s a tad overpriced compared to its rivals. Nonetheless, it’s a practical SUV with some off-road ability. But don’t mistake it for one of its more rugged stablemates. The Jeep Renegade’s 10-year maintenance expense is $10,463.

Dodge Journey

RepairPal.com gives the Dodge Journey a reliability score of 4.0/5.0. But, like any car model, some years are more reliable than others. It has a 10-year maintenance cost of $10,420.

Ford Expedition

If you want a three-row vehicle but don’t want a minivan or crossover, add the Ford Expedition to your shortlist. The 2024 model features a large interior and impressive towing capacity. CarEdge reports that the 10-year maintenance cost for this behemoth is $9,757.

Chevrolet Tahoe

The Chevrolet Tahoe is worth considering for those seeking a big, reliable, and capable SUV. It offers plenty of room for people and things, powerful engines, and an easy-to-use infotainment system. CarEdge says the SUV has a 10-year maintenance cost of $9,544.

Chevrolet Suburban

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban is a three-row SUV that can seat as many as eight people. In addition to being a capable people hauler, the Chevrolet Suburban has enough room for family pets, luggage, and many other things. The 10-year maintenance expense is $9,536.

Ford Bronco

J.D. Power gives the 2024 Ford Bronco a 75/100 predicted reliability score, which means the SUV is average. The new-gen Broncos take aspects of what people loved about the Broncos from yesteryear and present the SUV in a modern package. Its 10-year maintenance cost is $9,392.

Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer made its way onto the scene in the 1991 model year as the first five-door SUV manufactured by Ford Motor Co. It’s since earned a reputation as one of the premier trailblazers in the space. The Ford Explorer’s 10-year maintenance cost is $9,330.

Ford Edge

The 2024 Ford Edge features comfortable seats, sufficient space for people and things, fuel-efficient engines, and a reasonably quiet cabin at highway speeds. So says Edmunds. According to CarEdge, the vehicle’s 10-year maintenance cost is $9,193.

Are Any of These Vehicles on Your Shopping List?

Image credit: Hryshchyshen Serhii / Shutterstock.com

Do you own any of these vehicles? Are any of the cars, SUVs, and minivans on this list on your want-to-buy list? If so, factor into the equation the cost of maintaining it. Failing to do so could leave you with that all-too-common ailment called buyer’s remorse.