Nowadays, it’s easier than ever to walk into a car dealership and drive away with a hybrid. These cars are more fuel-efficient than traditional ICEs, which gives them a competitive edge in the market. However, some models have been rushed to market with minimal development and poor innovation, which has become a significant concern among Americans.
Here are some hybrid cars that may drain your pockets concerning fuel and repairs.
Dodge Hornet Hybrid
On paper, the Dodge Hornet hybrid may seem like a nice car…until you drive it for a while. The car is prone to technical glitches preventing you from enjoying the experience. Its hybrid system has a tiny 1.3-liter turbo engine that has to work overtime to meet simple expectations.
Despite its good mileage, the Dodge Hornet hybrid isn’t capable of offering a smooth drive. Many owners complain that its additional 400 pounds of weight compared to non-hybrid models diminishes the charm of its frame. Simply put, the Dodge Hornet hybrid may be more of a headache than anything else.
Alfa Romeo Tonale Hybrid
Like the Dodge Hornet, the Alfa Romeo Tonale hybrid features technical glitches that are a significant concern among owners. The car’s tiny 1.3-liter engine is overworked by adding a turbo to make 180 horsepower, increasing the risk of potential failure.
Despite being expensive, this crossover is relatively tiny, with little room for passengers or cargo. Quality control and reliability are significant issues with the Alfa Romeo, and owning this car after the warranty runs out will drain your pockets.
BMW ActiveHybrid 5
The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 is a mid-size luxury sedan that prioritizes the hybrid system to aid acceleration and drivability. This car’s seats are comfortable for taller people, but if you’re vertically challenged, be warned.
Moreover, there have been reported complexities in programming the navigation system, and the voice-recognition system is subpar. The hybrid system adds 380 pounds of weight, which slows acceleration. While other BMWs are known for their smooth driving experience, the ActiveHybrid 5 certainly is not. It bucks and jerks during acceleration in the “Eco Pro” mode, designed to produce the best fuel economy.
Besides the terrible driving experience, the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 is not fuel efficient, with a fuel economy rating of 23 in the city and 34 on highways.
Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
Although the Grand Cherokee is respected across America, the Cherokee 4xe isn’t. Its hybrid system is a mess, plagued with reliability issues and recalls.
In addition to hybrid system failure, these models have even reportedly caught fire. It’s simply not that efficient and doesn’t drive well. Several owners have reported failure one month after purchasing brand-new models. One car owner claims that after a month of having the 4xe, it began stopping in the middle of the road with no warning. It seems that even updating the software sometimes doesn’t solve the issue.
Plenty of 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xes have had these issues, and the 2023 model is no better. It’s prone to displaying several warnings on the dashboard due to a terminal that pushes out from a body harness connector. Furthermore, drivers have reported losing control of the power steering.
Jeep Wrangler 4xe
Like the Cherokee 4xe, the Wrangler uses the same hybrid system. While EVs and PHEVs are not known for shifting gears in electric mode, the Wrangler 4xe does. Many owners claim to feel the transmission shifting, which is embarrassing when behind the wheel. It’s no wonder there are consistent reports of failure in the middle of the road.
2017 BMW X5 Hybrid
Although the 2017 BMW X5 hybrid was marketed as a luxury SUV, it has brake issues that cause pulsation and vibration. The problem extends to the antilock system and calipers, causing squeaking sounds when the brakes are applied.
Additionally, the charging system and air suspension regularly fail, costing you at least $8,000 to fix. Another issue with the car is air conditioning fluid leakage that makes the system not to work, and can cost $2000 to fix.
Mercedes A-Class Hybrid
When Mercedes released its A-Class hybrid in 2019, it was marketed as a premium compact car. However, some owners reported issues only two weeks after purchasing. The car starts well with battery power in all dynamic modes, but when more power is required, the engine can shut down.
Owners have reported high rates of unreliability, and the fact that 12 recalls have been issued for various reasons indicates that owning an A-Class hybrid is stressful.
2016 Ford Focus Hybrid
Sadly, the 2016 Focus might be troublesome if you’re looking for a hybrid car. It’s prone to a torque converter issue reported by several owners after driving for some distance—they claim to step on the gas, and the car revs, but nothing else happens. Although many owners have experienced this transmission issue, the dealership hasn’t offered a solution.
Apart from failing to engage the gears, the car also has faulty doors that come loose. Furthermore, the 2017 and 2018 models have additional issues with faulty display screens.
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
The 2018 Pacifica has a 3.6-liter V6 and two electric motors. This combination suits drivers who want extra thrills on the road; however, the car is plagued with problems.
The 2018 model suffers from major engine faults, suspension issues, and electrical malfunction. To add insult to injury, some have even caught fire. Other model years have been reported to have multiple recalls. For instance, the 2023 model has recalls associated with defective transmission wiring connectors leading to a short circuit, causing the engine to shut off.
Volvo XC60 Recharge
The Volvo XC60, formerly known as the T8, uses a hybrid system consisting of a turbocharged and supercharged six-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors and a hybrid battery. This combination sounds excellent for performance, but this car definitely has more issues than you would imagine.
The XC60 has earned a bad reputation for its build quality, with many owners complaining about various issues. One of the most reported issues is that the tires carry a lot of noise into the cabin due to a soundproofing problem.
Another area for improvement with these cars is the electrical problems. Some report that the car won’t charge beyond 30% due to battery failure; sometimes, it won’t start. The heater stops working, and the home screen displays errors and goes completely blank.
Besides these problems, it’s not as fuel-efficient as a hybrid should be. It can only manage 20 miles before it switches to gas, which is even lower than the Toyota Prius. Moreover, there have been safety recalls related to the airbags and seatbelts.
Volvo XC90 Recharge
The Volvo XC90 shares the same challenges as the XC60, as their hybrid system is the same. Sometimes, when you hit the gas to climb a hill, the engine revs up more than usual. Battery failures have also been reported. The build quality is similar to the XC60, so you can expect road noise and other failures.
Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid
The first generation of the Nissan Pathfinder saw many challenges. While many thought Nissan would resolve these issues, some new challenges have emerged with the recent models, which raises many questions among owners.
Earlier models experienced challenges like less space and towing capabilities. However, this wasn’t a big issue until owners experienced a shudder at low speeds and when descending hills.
Nissan Pathfinder’s biggest problem was the programming, which the company was slow to address. Additionally, these models had a problem with the braking system. Due to brake fluid leaks, the pedal never felt firm when stopping the car.
Electrical glitches in the infotainment and navigation systems were common, detracting from the vehicle’s overall reliability. In 2020, several cars were recalled in Australia due to a problem with the Hybrid Powertrain Control Module.
Infinity QX60 Hybrid
The Infiniti QX60, called the Infiniti JX until the 2014 model was released, is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV with three-row seating. The car is produced by Infiniti, a division of Japanese automaker Nissan, and is underpinned by an elongated Nissan Murano platform.
The earlier hybrid variants had many issues, like fuel gauge fluctuations, where the digital reading would jump everywhere. This wouldn’t seem like a massive issue…until the vehicle doesn’t start.
Computer modules that were poorly programmed consistently caused engine shutdowns. The CVT transmission shifts slowly, reversing sometimes fails, the seat control fails, the passenger airbag sensor displays errors, and the engine temperature is prone to rise. While Nissan has addressed these issues, the 2025 model has issues related to cabin comfort.
Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid
Not many consumers know that the Jetta Hybrid existed, as it was only offered for a few years. This car didn’t sell in big numbers because of its fuel efficiency. The VW Jetta hybrid had a below-average reputation for reliability and high repair costs.
The car had a very complicated hybrid system, which caused it to receive low reviews in North America. Also, the Jetta Hybrid was reported to have a decrease in transmission oil pressure, which led to clutch failure. These issues came with a sudden loss of drive power, leading to the model’s discontinuation in 2017.
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
The 2016 Malibu was a big improvement for Chevrolet, as it was equipped with a technology that allowed it to travel at 55mph on pure electrical power; however, the car still lacks some safety assurance. The NHTSA issued nine recalls for the 2016 Malibu that included airbag failure, risk of the fuel line catching fire, and brake failure.
The 2018 Malibu came with a spacious interior and excellent fuel economy. However, there have been claims of engine failure and problems with the fuel sensor. There have been six recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, including one for transmission fluid leaks.
Ford Escape Hybrid
The Escape was marketed as an affordable hybrid with a list price of less than $30,000. This crossover came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors.
While these specs seemed nice, the car suffers reliability problems. Its infotainment system has an annoying habit of crashing or freezing, and major and minor engine failures were commonplace.
The 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid debuted as a fuel-efficient SUV, but the transmission is rough with abrupt shifting. Sometimes, it fails, leading to repairs or replacement.
2016 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid
The earlier Volkswagen Touareg hybrid was reputable for its speed, but the severity of recalls brought about many questions. One common problem was a lack of drainage under the battery, which caused it to short circuit.
There was also a recall for a missing clip for the brake pedal pivot pin, which caused the brake pedal to come off regularly, and another for a leak in the fuel injection system. Some owners have also complained that the steering column vibrates at higher speeds.
Recently Released Hybrids Have Seen Improvements
Although hybrid cars have faced their fair share of challenges, automakers consistently make improvements every model year. Recent data from Consumer Reports shows that new hybrids have 26 percent fewer issues than earlier models and ICE cars.
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Peterson is an automotive content writer, blogger, and copywriter who is passionate about turning automotive experiences into compelling words. He developed an interest in cars at a young age and, upon reaching adulthood, mastered the ability to simplify complex automotive topics and present them engagingly.
