Engines are the beating heart of any vehicle, but sometimes carmakers managed to install the mechanical equivalent of a migraine. From sludge-prone nightmares to underpowered disasters, these engines left drivers stranded, mechanics baffled, and reputations ruined. Here are 15 engines that went down in history for all the wrong reasons.
Chrysler 2.7L V6 (1998 to 2010)
What looked promising on paper turned out to be a sludge monster in reality. The 2.7 liter V6 had a terrible reputation for oil sludge buildup, often leading to complete engine failure before 100,000 miles. Chrysler blamed owners for not changing the oil enough, while mechanics everywhere made a living fixing its poor design. A costly time bomb in an otherwise decent sedan.
GM 2.4L Ecotec (2010s)
On paper, the Ecotec was a modern inline four with decent power and efficiency. In practice, it became known for excessive oil consumption, weak timing chains, and premature failures. Owners would top off oil as often as filling up gas. Lawsuits followed. GM eventually phased it out, but not before thousands of Malibu, Equinox, and Terrain drivers found out the hard way.
Ford 1.6L EcoBoost (2010s)
Turbocharged and direct injected, this little four cylinder seemed like a winner for fuel economy. But Ford’s 1.6 EcoBoost earned a reputation for overheating, coolant leaks, and even fire risk. Several recalls were issued and customer confidence took a big hit. The engine felt lively when it worked — but that was the catch.
Subaru 2.5L EJ25 (Late 1990s to 2010)
This flat four was infamous for its head gasket problems. Subaru used a design that could not keep coolant and oil where they belonged. Many owners faced costly repairs, often before 100,000 miles. While Subaru fans defended its balance and character, there was no defending the repair bills or the roadside breakdowns.
Jaguar V12 (1971 to 1997)
Twelve glorious cylinders of pain. The Jaguar V12 was smooth and powerful, but nearly impossible to maintain. Overheating was common. Vacuum lines and electrical gremlins lurked in every corner. Mechanics groaned when one rolled into the shop. It made beautiful noise and great headlines — and also caused more than a few owners to swear off British engineering forever.
Triumph Stag V8 (1970 to 1978)
Triumph wanted a luxury sports car with a bespoke engine. Instead, they built an overheating disaster with warped cylinder heads and timing chain issues. British drivers cursed their Stags in the driveway while American owners waited endlessly for parts. It sounded great when it worked — which was about half the time.
Northstar V8 (1993 to 2011)
This Cadillac V8 had promise with its advanced tech and high rev ceiling. Unfortunately, it became notorious for head gasket failure, overheating, and expensive repairs. It was designed for performance luxury — but it mostly delivered overheated tempers and drained wallets. Beautiful engine when new. A disaster once the warranty expired.
Ford Modular 5.4L 3 Valve (2004 to 2010)
Found in trucks and Mustangs, this version of the Modular engine had dreadful spark plug issues. The plugs would either seize in place or break off during removal. Repairs were expensive and required special tools. Mechanics hated it. Owners hated it more. Ford eventually improved the design, but not before thousands of cursed weekends in the garage.
Mazda Rotary 13B (1970s to 2012)
The rotary engine is a mechanical oddity that drew praise and pain in equal measure. High revs and smooth power made it a joy to drive, but low fuel economy, oil consumption, and poor reliability made it a nightmare to own. The 13B in the RX-8 was especially prone to early failure and flooding. Enthusiasts love it — but even they admit it is a flawed masterpiece.
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
Car loans are one of the most common ways people fund car purchases. Like any other kind of loan, car loans can have certain features that can be regarded as an advantage or a disadvantage to the borrower. Understanding all essential facts about car loans and how they work to ensure that you get the best deal for your financial situation is essential. Here are 25 shocking facts about car loans that most drivers don’t realize:
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
