Australian mechanics have shared their personal opinions on the four car brands drivers should avoid at all costs.
In a TikTok video, staff working at Procheck Automotive in Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast were asked which cars they wouldn’t buy.
Four car manufacturers were identified: Volkswagen, Jeep, Land Rover and SsangYong.
Volkswagen is one of the most popular brands in the world, however, several drivers have complained about problems with the direct gearbox (DSG).
Jeep and Land Rover have also been criticized by 4×4 fans for having recurring electrical faults and breakdowns, which cost more to repair than the cost of the car.
South Korea’s oldest car brand, SsangYong, has come under fire after drivers complained about having to wait a long time for spare parts.
Mechanics have urged Australians to stay away from four popular car manufacturers due to recurring faults: Volkswagen (file image), Jeep, Land Rover and Ssangyong.
Mechanics Jess and Josh insisted in the TikTok video that drivers should avoid Volkswagens because “they’re shit” and “garbage.”
In a follow-up video expanding on Volkswagen’s problems, mechanics said the most common solutions are oil leaks, unreliable dual-clutch transmission and clogged intakes from burning too much oil.
Volkswagen’s DSG problems have been the subject of legal action and more than 100,000 vehicles have been recalled in Australia as of 2019.
“One of the largest DSG recalls in recent years has focused on loss of oil pressure in the transmission, making the vehicles undrivable,” according to The Royal Automobile Club of WA (RAC).
“Following a series of bad publicity, Volkswagen Australia has acted to address widespread customer concerns regarding the DSG, although older cars long out of warranty now remain an expensive proposition to repair if something goes wrong.” .
The Volkswagen also appeared alongside the Jeep WK2 Grand Cherokee in RAC’s “popular cars with reliability issues to watch out for”.
The RAC identified that one of the biggest problems with Jeep was its fully integrated power module – or the “brain that controls most electronic functions” – and its propensity to go crazy.
It can cause “stalling engines, faulty starter motors, random power window/central locking failures, broken fuel pumps, intermittent horn/alarm activation, inactive cruise control and a faulty climate control system.”
In addition to automatic transmission failures on models manufactured before 2016, the Grand Cherokee has been recalled a total of 20 times in Australia.
Land Rover was also especially mentioned by garage owner Shane, who said newer models work well throughout the warranty, but problems arise shortly after expiration.
Despite SsangYong opening a dedicated import operation in Australia in 2018, the manufacturer has also run into inconsistencies.
European and luxury car specialists VAR Crows Nest outlined five common problems with Land Rovers.
They included problems with the suspension, electronics, oil leaks and problems with both the transmission and the engine.
In another video posted to the company’s TikTok account, mechanic Shane said newer models work fine throughout the warranty, but encounter problems shortly after.
Despite SsangYong opening a dedicated import operation in Australia in 2018, the manufacturer has also run into inconsistencies.
Since 2010, there have been a total of eight recalls on Ssangyong models, affecting more than 5,000 cars.
The most recent of which was from 2020, where it was revealed that a ‘microcrack’ can develop along the fuel line if used for a long period of time.
“If the fuel supply hose cracks and fuel leaks, there is a possibility that the fuel could ignite and cause a fire,” the ACCC recall alert reads.
European and luxury car specialists VAR Crows Nest outlined five common problems with Land Rovers