10 Worst Used Cars to Buy in February 2026
- - 10 Worst Used Cars to Buy in February 2026
Andy LindquistFebruary 10, 2026 at 1:35 AM
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There's nothing worse than having your car break down in cold temperatures just as the year is starting. That's why it's a smart car owner move to do your due diligence when purchasing a used car in February. If you purchase a vehicle that is prone to breakdowns in cold weather, you're setting yourself up for months of misery and costly repair bills.
Here are 10 of the worst used cars on the market that you should steer clear of this February.
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1. Kia Optima
kia optima
Zoran Karapancev/Adobe
There were a host of issues with these model years, namely catastrophic engine failure. This was such a problem that Kia issued multiple recalls for the Optima during this period. It's best to avoid these years, especially in cold weather, where engine issues could be exacerbated. Kia has had issues with build quality for a long time, so don't be fooled when you see these cheap cars flood used markets; avoid them.
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2. Buick Enclave (2008-2011)
buick enclave
art_zzz/Adobe
The first few years of the Enclave launch were not great, with numerous issues reported with the cars. Specifically, a timing belt issue that worsens in inclement weather and power steering problems. Cold weather causes these parts to break down due to the extreme temperature changes from when you start the vehicle. While Buick has made fixes to newer models, it's best to steer clear of the initial Enclave launch years.
3. Nissan Leaf
nissan leaf
Boumenjapet/Adobe
Since electric cars rely on battery-powered engines, they are susceptible to cold-weather issues. Nissan has had quality issues, and the Leaf is no exception: battery capacity diminishes in low temperatures. This, coupled with the less-than-sturdy construction of the Leaf, makes it a poor choice for cold climates.
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4. Mini Cooper (2007-2014)
blue mini cooper
Maxwell Cunningham/Wirestock Creators/Adobe
These early BMW-era Minis have serious issues with the thermostat housing, making them a pain to own. Since the car thermostat is in a plastic housing, it's liable to warp in extreme cold and heat.
As your car sits throughout the seasons, the housing could continue to warp, and the car will very likely not function without a working thermostat, necessitating a costly repair. Not to mention that tiny cars are not the best-handling machines in cold, icy climates either.
5. Dodge Ram 1500 (2009-2012)
white dodge ram
Filippo Carlot/Adobe
The battery system in these trucks is not optimized for cold weather, and starter failures are quite common. Even swapping out the battery doesn't seem to make much difference, since the wiring wasn't designed for freezing temperatures. Throw in some shoddy construction in other parts of the body, and it's best to avoid these models.
6. Nissan Frontier (2005-2021)
old blue nissan frontier
Hrach/Adobe
Nissan has taken heat over the years for poor quality control and cold-weather unreliability, and the Frontier is no exception. With an undersized battery for a truck of its size, the Frontier struggles to start in cold conditions, which require more cold-cranking amps. Throw in a small heater core and a poor HVAC system, and the vehicle is one you should avoid when looking for a used truck.
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7. Hyundai Elantra (2011-2020)
hyundai elantra
art_zzz/Adobe
While Hyundai has done a good job creating solid cars recently, the Elantras from the last decade are not equipped to handle colder weather. Between frozen door locks, starter issues, and check engine lights, the Elantra is not ideal for a wintertime car purchase.
8. Subaru Impreza (CVT models)
subaru impreza
Jan Kliment/Adobe
Continuous variable transmissions are the bane of most car owners, and for good reason. They're notoriously unreliable, especially in winter. While Subaru is known for building solid cars, the CVT-equipped Impreza models are best avoided. The last thing you want is other issues like wiper motor failures and weakened defrost performance while you're driving home on a dark, cold night.
9. Fiat 500
white fiat
pixarno/Adobe
The resurrected classic from Fiat is more suited for driving on a narrow street in Tuscany than taking you to work on a cold winter morning. Slow defrosting, frozen door handles, and poor starts in freezing temperatures are just some of the complaints. Throw in a transmission that doesn't handle inclement weather very well, and this is a vehicle you should save for your European vacation rental.
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10. Ford Ranger (2011-2021)
ford ranger
Jan Kliment/Adobe
Another truck with plenty of faulty wiring and battery issues, the final edition of Ford's T6 body platform is best avoided during the winter months. Due to the poor wiring between the battery and engine, you'll be losing battery capacity even as you're driving around. That's not ideal when you're trying to crank your engine on a dark winter morning in February.
Bottom line
Navigating the used car market in February requires a cautious approach to avoid vehicles that fail when temperatures drop. While a low price tag may be tempting, the long-term costs of specialized cold-weather repairs quickly outweighs any initial savings. By steering clear of models that could let you down when you need them, it's best to focus on a reliable and safe car that could also help you save money on your car insurance.
Also, keep in mind that cold causes the rubber in tires and suspension bushings to lose elasticity and act more like hard plastic. This not only leads to a harsher, noisier ride but could also cause something called flat-spotting in tires, where the rubber hardens into the shape of the ground while parked overnight, causing significant vibrations until the tires warm up.
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