Rising operational costs, insurance premiums, and maintenance expenses have financially burdened certain vehicles for Canadian consumers. Economic factors, including interest rates and depreciation patterns, significantly impact total ownership costs. These 19 cars have created substantial financial challenges for Canadian owners.
Dodge Journey
Ah, the Dodge Journey—Canada’s answer to “What can I afford that looks like an SUV but behaves like a stressed-out minivan?” The Journey was one of the cheapest midsize SUVs on the market, which made it appealing to families on a budget. But poor fuel economy, outdated tech, and sluggish resale value have made it a nightmare at trade-in time. Worse yet, many Canadians financed it with long-term loans to keep monthly payments low, locking them into negative equity faster than a Timbit disappears at a staff meeting.
Nissan Rogue (2014–2016)
Despite being a top seller in Canada, early Rogue models suffered from chronic CVT transmission issues. In Quebec, the class action by the Automobile Protection Association (APA) includes all Rogue models from 2010–2018 equipped with CVTs, citing over 750 complaints and roughly CAD 4,000 average replacement costs. If you own a 2014–2016 Rogue in Canada, you’re likely excluded from the CAD warranties and stuck with huge repair bills.
Chevrolet Cruze (Diesel)
The diesel Cruze was marketed as a fuel-sipping marvel. However, the astronomical maintenance costs and a diesel system that could make a grown mechanic cry were not mentioned. Many owners report problems with the diesel particulate filter (DPF), turbocharger failures, EGR, glow plugs, coolant leaks, and electrical gremlins, even under warranty. As diesel prices spike and emissions systems get cranky, Canadians are dumping these Cruzes faster than last season’s snow tires.
Fiat 500L
This Italian import was supposed to be a cute, quirky city car with European flair. Instead, it gave Canadians electrical gremlins, poor resale value, and reliability issues that make your uncle’s 1993 Corolla look like a Lexus. Also, other common repair costs included crankshaft reductor wheel replacements (~USD 2,400) and major engine components like turbochargers (≈USD 6,200). Not to mention, insurance premiums are disproportionately high, and parts are expensive, leaving many owners feeling like the hype of the car world duped them.
Ford Focus (2012–2016)
Here’s a fun game: count how many Ford Focus owners you know who haven’t had transmission issues. We’ll wait. The notorious Powershift dual-clutch transmission turned this otherwise decent car into a financial trap. In addition, a major Canadian recall also affected about 136,000 Focus cars (2012–2018) due to an EVAP valve that could stick open, causing engine stalling—repairs included software updates and part replacements. Safe to say, even multiple lawsuits, recalls, and class-action settlements haven’t stopped the bleeding.
Hyundai Kona EV (2019–2021)
Yes—the 2019–2021 Hyundai Kona EV is frequently cited as a financial burden for many Canadian owners. Transport Canada even confirmed two major recalls: one in October 2020 for battery pack short‑circuit risk and another in late 2020–early 2021 for software and battery replacement issues. Globally, Hyundai replaced about 76,000 Kona EV batteries at an estimated cost of US$900 million after at least 15 fires, including two in Canada. Combine that with limited charging infrastructure in parts of Canada, and you have an ownership experience that feels more like a science experiment gone wrong.
Mitsubishi Mirage
Sure, it’s cheap. But so is instant coffee, and no one brags about drinking it. The Mirage’s poor safety ratings, underpowered engine, and paper-thin build quality make it a false economy. Yes, it gets great mileage, but depreciation hits like a snowplow in March. Further, inflation-beaten resale adds sting: one poster notes its age‑old design holds just $2–3 K CAD future resale. Also, the cost of upkeep can bite too—heater core replacements in Canada have reportedly climbed to $2,000, while insurance premiums jump “about $400” due to high repair costs. Good luck reselling one without tears and a steep discount.
Chevrolet Spark
Another small car with a low sticker price becomes a trap when you factor in repair costs, insurance premiums, and rock-bottom resale value. Although it was Canada’s cheapest new car, launching at around C$10,398 (manual) to C$14,698 (CVT), rising interest rates and surging used‐car prices have intensified general auto‐loan stress: auto loan delinquencies jumped to 1.95 % in Q1 2025, up 30 % year‑over‑year. Households owe, on average, C$21,859 in non-mortgage debt, mainly driven by auto loans. And, while the Spark is fun in tight urban corners, it gets trounced on the used market.
Jeep Compass (2011–2017)
If you bought one of these hoping for Jeep reliability and off-road prowess, you probably also believe poutine is a healthy food. Early Compass models were plagued with drivetrain issues, poor build quality, and constant electrical glitches. Also, problems with the TIPM module, infotainment system, power locks/windows, and battery led to erratic behavior and repeated replacements—owners report having to replace two batteries together for about CAD 600. Add in poor resale value and steep financing interest due to brand perception, and you’ve got yourself a financial mud pit.
Nissan Altima (2013–2018)
This midsize sedan was once a reliable choice, but the CVT transmission woes and steep depreciation curve have made it a repeat offender in owner regret forums. Add expensive brake jobs, and you’ve got a vehicle that ages worse than unrefrigerated maple syrup. Also, the annual average repair cost is around $587 (2013) to $483 overall—but when a single repair can blow past $5K, that annual average suddenly looks like pocket change… followed by a punch in the wallet. In short, buying one might be funny… until you cry paying for parts.
Dodge Dart
The Dodge Dart was meant to be the pocket‑rocket sedan of dreams, but for many Canadians, it turned into a pocket-draining wallet‑rocket. Owners report annual repair bills of around US$600 (∼ C$800), above average for compact cars. Common gremlins include transmission drama—think jerky shifts, stalling, even complete failures around 60,000 km on 2013‑14 models—and engines that guzzle oil like there’s no tomorrow (1 qt/1 000 miles? Yes please… not). Owning one now is like holding on to a VHS player in a streaming world—you’re paying more just to keep it alive.
BMW X1 (Older Models)
Luxury on a budget? It’s more like financial ruin in a fancy badge. Models from the early 2010s, especially the first-gen (E84), are notorious for turbocharger failures, oil leaks, and timing chain issues—some repairs costing more than the car’s resale value. Insurance premiums are premiums (surprise!), and good luck finding an independent mechanic who doesn’t sigh before quoting you $2,000 for a water pump. The real kicker? Depreciation hits like a snowplow on black ice. That sleek little crossover that once screamed “urban chic” now whispers “overdue maintenance” every time it idles.
Chrysler 200
This midsize sedan was a lesson in overpromising and underdelivering. While RepairPal pegs its average repair tab at about US $549/year—just a smidge above midsize average—plus similar unscheduled visits, the grim reality is in the detail: 9‑speed tranny tantrums, burned‑up Tigershark engines guzzling oil, and electrical gremlins. Throw in recalls from 2015–16—power‑steering hoses that can leak and even spark fires, melting wiring, cruise control that won’t quit, and airbags that might not deploy, and you’ve got a poor excuse for a car.
Land Rover Discovery Sport
That stylish Land Rover Discovery Sport might look like the hero your Canadian driveway deserves, but spoiler alert, it often plays the villain to your wallet. Over its first decade, this snazzy SUV racks up around CA$23,000 in maintenance and repairs (≈US$17,272), with a 51 % chance of a significant repair in five years—because who doesn’t love a surprise transmission bill? Its reliability score is a shaky 6.3/10, too, with frequent hiccups in electronics, body quirks, and the dreaded timing chain or air suspension gremlins.
Smart ForTwo (Gas Version)
Fun? Yes. Frugal? Not really. The ForTwo has poor resale, limited interior space, and surprising maintenance costs for something so tiny. Also, parts are rare, pricey, and need Mercedes-trained mechanics, so forget cheap fixes at Joe’s Auto unless you fancy learning engine surgery at home. On top of that, used Fortwos in Canada fetch about C$11–13K, with 2016/17 models hard to come by. So, yes, adorable and wallet‑shrinking. Great if you like tiny cars and drama—but if your bank account has baggage, park this one.
Volkswagen Passat (Diesel)
The notorious Volkswagen Passat TDI did indeed crash the party for many Canadians, and spoiler alert: it wasn’t a fun party. Between 2009 and 2015, VW sneaked in a “defeat device” that made these diesels seem eco-friendly—until they smooched emission standards into oblivion, spewing up to 40× the legal limit. In Canada, about 100,000 of these were sold, and owners soon found their resale value nosediving like a lead balloon—one fellow in Barrie saw his $28,000 Passat tank to just $12,000 while he was still paying it off. VW Canada also eventually coughed up a C$2.1 billion compensation package for roughly 105,000 2.0 L models—and a separate deal for 3.0 L versions—including options to buy back, trade-in, or modify your cheating car.
Buick Verano
Here’s the scoop: the Buick Verano isn’t officially on any “financial torture device” list in Canada, but thanks to GM’s problematic 2.4 L engine, it’s earned a special “wallet weeper” status. Owners report chronic oil‑burning—sometimes a quart every 1,000 mi—leading to timing‑chain carnage and full engine replacements around 80–100,000 mi, costing anywhere from CAD 7k–9k. One Canadian-aged student confessed they “should’ve done more research” after the engine debacle nearly derailed their college plans. Plus, insurance rates for a “luxury” badge don’t match the sedan’s tepid resale value.
Subaru Ascent (2019–2021)
Subaru’s first crack at a three-row SUV came with teething issues—CVT complaints, transmission replacements, and electrical faults. Meanwhile, Transport Canada slapped recalls on these models for slipping power chains, overheating heater bolts (yep, potential fire risk!), and fuel pump glitches—meaning surprise dealer visits and more billable shop time. One Redditor lamented shelling out “$10k in oil leaks” by 65,000 mi, just as the warranty expired. Another warned that annual maintenance in Canada can run up to $500, thanks to dealer service schedules that disassemble your brakes just for fun.
Infiniti QX60 (2014–2017)
This luxury SUV came packed with features and transmission nightmares. Owning a 2014 QX60 can feel like a luxury lottery: You pay a premium, and sometimes your transmission calls the shots. 2014 models got slammed as “worst” for transmission shudder, with average fix bills hitting $6,900. And like clockwork, those timing chain rattles on 2014–16 models are just part of the charm, cold-start symphonies you didn’t ask for. The annual upkeep on the QX60 dances is around $630–719 in North America, not wallet-crushing until the fuel injector drama.
22 Times Canadian Ingenuity Left the U.S. in the Dust
When people think of innovation, they often picture Silicon Valley. However, Canada has a history of innovation, too. Whether it’s redefining sports, revolutionizing medicine, or just showing America up at its own game, Canadian inventors, thinkers, and dreamers have had their fair share of mic-drop moments. Here are 22 times Canadian ingenuity left the U.S. in the dust.
22 Times Canadian Ingenuity Left the U.S. in the Dust
