Canadian winters are unforgiving, and if a car has a weak engine, the problems show up quickly. Cold starts, long commutes, frozen oil, and salted highways magnify every design flaw. Over the past two decades, certain models have earned reputations for catastrophic engine problems—failures that drain wallets and leave owners stranded on the side of the road. These are the cars that buyers should avoid if they don’t want to face repair bills larger than the vehicle’s value. Here are fifteen cars sold in Canada that became infamous for their poor engine quality and reliability.
Dodge Journey
The Dodge Journey was once a sales hit because of its affordable price and three row seating, but the engines were some of the weakest in the segment. The base four cylinder was underpowered and strained under the weight of the crossover, often leading to premature wear. The available V6 didn’t fare much better, delivering lackluster fuel economy and suffering from reliability complaints tied to timing chain issues and overheating. In Canadian winters, the Journey struggled even more—cold starts revealed sluggish performance, and the underbuilt components wore out quickly. For many families, the cheap purchase price became a costly ownership mistake.
Chevrolet Equinox (2.4L Models)
The Chevrolet Equinox equipped with the 2.4 litre Ecotec engine is one of the most infamous vehicles for oil consumption issues. Engines guzzled oil at alarming rates, sometimes running dry between service intervals and seizing entirely. Many Canadian owners faced catastrophic failures before hitting 150,000 kilometres. This issue became so common that class action lawsuits were filed. For used buyers, the Equinox with this engine has essentially become radioactive—few are willing to take the risk, even at bargain prices.
GMC Terrain (2.4L Models)
The GMC Terrain shared the same problematic 2.4 litre engine as the Equinox, meaning it inherited all of the same flaws. Canadians who bought the Terrain expecting a more refined experience ended up with engines that burned oil, misfired, and eventually failed outright. Repairs could cost thousands, and the high resale values GMC tried to position the Terrain with collapsed quickly. Today, used Terrains from this generation are almost unsellable without heavily discounted prices.
Dodge Caliber
The Dodge Caliber was marketed as a cheap and cheerful alternative to compact sedans and hatchbacks, but its engines were among the roughest and least refined of the era. The 2.0 litre and 2.4 litre four cylinders were noisy, prone to stalling, and often suffered from early wear. Many Canadian owners reported failures of timing components and head gaskets, especially during harsh winters when oil thickened. Combined with a jerky CVT transmission, the Caliber quickly built a reputation as one of Dodge’s least reliable vehicles.
Chrysler Sebring
The Chrysler Sebring is remembered as one of the worst sedans of its time, and its engines were a large part of the problem. From rough idle and stalling issues to frequent head gasket and valve train failures, the Sebring’s powertrains made it unreliable from the start. Canadian drivers found the Sebring ill suited for long commutes or winter use, as it often failed to start in freezing conditions. Even those who managed to keep them running were faced with constant repair bills, making the Sebring one of the most unwanted cars in Canada’s used market.
Ford Escape (2009–2012 V6)
The 3.0 litre V6 engine used in older Ford Escapes was plagued with reliability issues. Cylinder head failures, coolant leaks, and misfiring plagued owners, while cold weather added more stress to already fragile components. For Canadians who relied on their Escapes for family transportation or long commutes, these failures were both expensive and inconvenient. Even with regular maintenance, these V6 Escapes often required major engine work before 200,000 kilometres, leaving owners with bills far higher than the vehicle’s value.
Hyundai Santa Fe (2.4L Engine Models)
Earlier Hyundai Santa Fe models equipped with the 2.4 litre engine became notorious for knocking noises, premature wear, and in some cases, complete engine failure. Canadian conditions magnified the issues, as cold starts caused oil starvation and accelerated wear on already fragile engines. Many owners were caught off guard, as the Santa Fe had a reputation for affordability, but reliability fell short. While newer Santa Fe models have dramatically improved, these earlier versions continue to tarnish the SUV’s reputation in the used market.
Kia Sorento (2011–2014)
The Kia Sorento from the early 2010s is infamous in Canada for catastrophic engine problems. Equipped with problematic 2.4 litre and 3.5 litre engines, many Sorentos suffered from bearing failures, engine seizures, and fires. These issues were so widespread that recalls and extended warranties were issued, but many owners were left footing bills for full engine replacements. For Canadian families who bought the Sorento as a reliable family hauler, the reality was anything but, and today these models are heavily avoided on the used market.
Nissan Altima (2007–2012 2.5L)
The Nissan Altima with the 2.5 litre engine developed a reputation for oil consumption, head gasket failures, and poor long term durability. Cold Canadian winters added even more stress to the engine, accelerating failures. For commuters, the Altima’s problems often appeared just after warranties expired, leaving owners to deal with expensive repairs. While the Altima was once a staple of Canadian roads, this generation has all but disappeared as its engines proved too costly to maintain.
Nissan Rogue (2008–2013)
The first generation Rogue shared many of the same engine flaws as the Altima, including oil consumption and poor long term reliability from the 2.5 litre four cylinder. Combined with a notoriously fragile CVT transmission, the Rogue quickly built a reputation as one of Nissan’s weakest products. Canadian owners in particular suffered, as cold winters worsened CVT failures and pushed already stressed engines to their breaking points. Even though the Rogue has improved since, the early models remain avoided like the plague.
Mazda CX-7 (Turbo Models)
Mazda’s CX-7 was marketed as a sporty crossover, but its turbocharged 2.3 litre engine was plagued with issues. Prone to turbo failures, timing chain stretch, and oil sludge, these engines often failed far earlier than expected. In Canadian conditions, with cold starts and long highway drives, the issues became even more pronounced. Repairs were expensive and frequent, and many CX-7s ended up scrapped long before their bodies wore out. The CX-5 that replaced it quickly became the better alternative, leaving the CX-7 as a cautionary tale.
Subaru Legacy (2.5L Head Gasket Issues)
Subaru’s 2.5 litre flat four engines used in Legacy models from the late 1990s through the mid 2000s were plagued by head gasket failures. Canadian drivers were particularly affected, as cold starts and long winter commutes accelerated the problem. Replacing head gaskets on these engines was a labor intensive, expensive job, often exceeding the car’s value by the time it needed repair. While Subaru eventually improved the design, this generation of Legacy remains one of the most engine-troubled cars of its era.
Volkswagen Passat (2000s Era 1.8T)
The 1.8 litre turbo engine used in many early 2000s Passats looked good on paper but performed poorly in reality. Sludge buildup was a constant issue, starving engines of oil and causing catastrophic failures. Turbos often failed, timing chains stretched, and repairs were astronomically expensive compared to Japanese competitors. For Canadian buyers, the Passat’s reputation collapsed, especially in provinces with long winters where sludge and oil issues appeared faster. Today, few of these cars are still on the road.
Jeep Patriot
The Jeep Patriot was sold as an affordable, adventurous crossover, but its 2.0 litre and 2.4 litre engines were anything but reliable. They consumed oil quickly, often leading to premature failure, and lacked the refinement of competitors. Harsh Canadian winters exposed their weaknesses even more, with cold starts leading to rough idling and stalling. Combined with cheap interiors and unimpressive build quality, the Patriot has become one of the most unwanted used Jeeps in Canada.
Dodge Avenger
The Dodge Avenger, like its Chrysler Sebring sibling, was plagued by poor engines that delivered little power and failed far too often. Valve train issues, head gasket problems, and rough idle made ownership a chore. In Canadian conditions, where drivers depend on dependable cold starts, the Avenger regularly disappointed. Today, it has little resale value, and most buyers avoid it entirely, knowing its engines will cost more to fix than the car is worth.
The Harsh Engine Truth
Canada’s tough climate reveals weaknesses that other markets might not notice. Engines that burn oil, blow head gaskets, or seize early simply cannot survive when faced with subzero temperatures, salted roads, and long distance driving. These fifteen vehicles developed reputations that continue to haunt them, scaring off buyers and driving down resale values. For Canadians, the lesson is clear: never underestimate the importance of engine quality. A car may look affordable at first, but if it carries one of these notorious powerplants, it will likely cost you more in the long run than it is ever worth.
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