Car enthusiasts and industry experts often consider a car’s transmission mechanism the heart of its performance. However, some cars have earned a poor reputation due to their problematic gearboxes, leading to costly repairs and frustrating breakdowns for the owners. Owing to design flaws or outdated technology, these ten cars have been plagued by transmission issues that haunt their owners.

Nissan Altima (2013-2020)

Nissan’s continuously variable transmission (CVT) was designed for fuel efficiency, but its weak belt system and overheating issues led to premature failure, especially in the Altima. There were frequent reports of sluggish performance and jerky acceleration, causing sudden breakdowns. That’s when Nissan’s CVT became notorious for high repair costs and frustrating driving experiences.

Ford Focus (2012-2016)

The Ford Focus’s PowerShift transmission often failed due to poorly calibrated software and a flawed dry-clutch design that led to overheating and excessive wear. Owners experienced severe shudders and delayed acceleration, which led to total failures in a few units. Ford Motors was compelled to extend warranties and even offer buybacks in some cases to address widespread reliability concerns.

Jeep Cherokee (2014-2020)

Automakers around the world have successfully used the ZF nine-speed automatic transmission. However, Jeep’s implementation of the same in the Cherokee resulted in erratic and delayed gear shifts, followed by outright failures. Unlike traditional torque-converter automatics, the Cherokee’s complex transmission suffered software glitches and mechanical defects. Gradually, it became one of the most unreliable models in its class.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (2015-2019)

Silverado 1500’s older six-speed models (2015-2018) were durable but faced issues like shuddering and hard shifts. The newer eight-speed models, introduced in 2019, raised reliability concerns about fluid contamination and premature failure. Silverado had transmission problems even before, but the eight-speed transmission became a notable low point in General Motors’ history.

BMW X5 (2012-2018)

Initially, the BMW’s ZF eight-speed transmission provided seamless shifts. Over time, owners of the X5 started noticing rough gear engagement and abrupt jerks, often leading to transmission failure. Numerous X5s required expensive repairs by the time they reached 100,000 miles, and this made it an SUV with an unfortunate mechanical flaw.

Honda Civic (2014-2015)

The Civic is famous for reliability, but models with early-generation CVTs struggled with belt slips, excessive vibrations, and delayed acceleration. Unlike traditional gears, a CVT uses a pulley and belt system that adjusts continuously. So, many who purchased the Civic were left frustrated due to the premature degradation caused by Honda’s tuning.

Dodge Dart (2013-2016)

Several Dodge Dart owners raised concerns about struggling with restricted transmission and delayed acceleration. Some people attempted software updates or fluid changes, but these provided only a temporary relief. Ultimately, the only real fix was completely replacing the transmission, an expensive repair that discouraged long-term ownership.

Subaru Outback (2010-2018)

Subaru’s CVT-equipped Outbacks suffered from hesitation and costly replacements. Due to a large number of customer complaints about the transmission’s performance, Subaru extended the warranty for CVT models to 10 years or 100,000 miles for about 1.5 million vehicles, including the 2010–2015 Outback models.

Mercedes-Benz CLA (2014-2019)

The CLA had a dual-clutch transmission, which Mercedes marketed as a sporty and high-performance system. However, the owners found the transmission restrictive and shaky at low speeds and quite prone to overheating. Many assumed it was a typical characteristic of the car when, in fact, the gearbox had design flaws that led to frequent complaints and repairs.

Acura TLX (2015-2017)

Acura TLX owners also reported transmission problems and rough gear shifts. Acura released multiple software updates to improve these issues, but many problems persist. Replacing the transmission fluid helped in some situations. For a long-term fix, it needed a complete transmission replacement, which was an expensive solution with very few takers.