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Everyone wants a reliable SUV, but that is easier said than done. While some sport utility vehicles have a long history of reliability, some have an off-year or generation. These are three SUVs that can start having problems at 100,000 miles or even sooner from trusted brands like Jeep, GMC, and Ford. These vehicles deserve a mulligan, so skip these specific years and look for the newer version for fewer headaches.

Jeep’s Grand Cherokee is an SUV that can start having problems early

Looking at the Car Complaints page for the 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee gives some insight into why it is on the list of SUVs that can start having problems early. The 2015 Grand Cherokee has more than 1,000 complaints, noting early transmission issues and rough shifting as some of the most complained about issues.

Drivers complain that the electronic shifting is unreliable, that shifting performance is poor, and that the Jeep slips out of gear. One of the worst Jeep Grand Cherokee problems is the electric shifting issue, which can present as early as 12,000 miles. The average cost to fix it is around $7,500, making it an expensive repair to face early on.

Problems with the interior accessories also had 230 complaints on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. Things like the dashboard falling apart, the touchscreen breaking, and the heated seats not working were common.

The GMC Terrain is another SUV that can start having problems prematurely

Front view of the GMC Terrain, an SUV that can start having problems at 100,000 miles
GMC Terrain SUVs | Jim R. Bounds/Bloomberg via Getty Images

One of the most complained about issues for the 2010 GMC Terrain is engine problems. This has 129 complaints from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. More specifically, excessive oil consumption, rough idling, erratic power, and noise on startup. Depending on what the issue is, the typical repair cost is $4,020. The average mileage was 102,900 miles, which is still pretty high.

Transmission failure was one of the worst problems reported by drivers, with the average mileage at a low 86,000. The average cost to fix these transmission issues is around $3,600. While this isn’t doesn’t present in all 2010 GMC Terrain SUVs, it is one of the SUVs that can start having problems at 100,000 miles or sooner.

Some other issues include radio problems, a hot ignition switch, and power locks failing prematurely. These aren’t the end of the world but do add to the annoyance.

It would be advisable to skip the 2013 Ford Escape

The 2013 Ford Escape had a large number of problems, with more than 3,000 on Car Complaints alone. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has 1,280 complaints for engine problems on the 2013 Escape alone. Within a few months of hitting the market, the Escape was recalled three times.

The NHTSA website lists a total of 17 recalls and another 2,324 complaints by owners. There is actually an urgent warning on the NHTSA page telling drivers not to drive the 2013 Escape. “If your vehicle is part of this recall, the manufacturer has recommended that you stop driving this vehicle immediately.”

This is part of the 2012 recall (NHTSA ID: 12V336000) for the fuel system and gasoline component potentially starting a fire. If the fuel system leaks in the presence of an ignition source, the engine could catch on fire. The 2013 Ford Escape is the quintessential SUV that can start having problems at 100,000 miles or sooner.

In the grand scheme of things, these SUVs that can start having problems early can fairly easily be avoided. Since reliability is so important for consumers these days, bad apples are not as common.

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