When people think of Japanese cars, they often see a vehicle that is reliable, has great fuel economy, and even offers long-lasting performance. Brands like Toyota, Honda, and Mazda have built strong reputations over the years. But not every model is a winner. Some have quite a few serious flaws that make them risky to purchase
GoBankingRate, a personal finance website that provides information on saving money and investing, recently put together a report outlining what they have learned from their customer data are the five worst Japanese cars to invest in.
According to the GoBankingRates report, there are certain Japanese cars that have struggled with big reliability issues, design flaws, and even safety concerns.
So if you’re looking for a used car or even considering a classic, these financial experts suggest it might be best to steer clear of these five models.
Mazda RX-8 – a fun ride that’s full of headaches
At first, the Mazda RX-8 seems like a dream car. It has a sleek, sporty design, a unique rotary engine (that Mazda has actually developed for the future as we can see here), and a reputation for being fun to drive. But beneath the surface, problems pile up quickly.
Owners of this car have been to know to have reported engine failures, power steering problems, and excessive oil consumption. The RX-8 has also had multiple recalls, which has made it one of the least reliable Mazdas ever made. The report suggests that if you’re thinking about buying one, you may need to be ready for costly repairs and maintenance.
Mitsubishi Eclipse – looks good, but comes with problems
The Mitsubishi Eclipse was once quite a popular choice among sports car lovers. It had a stylish design, offered decent fuel economy, and it had a powerful engine for its time. But the report shows that some versions of the Eclipse, especially from 1999-2003 and 2007, have a long list of issues.
Drivers have complained about the cheap interior, fast-wearing tires, and weak rims that get damaged too easily almost every time they hit a potholes. Even worse, the automatic transmission has been known to fail, and the steering can be unpredictable. While it might still turn heads on the road, this car, the report says, could give you more trouble than it’s worth.
Honda CRX Del Sol – not as great as it looks
Honda has a strong reputation for good and making reliable cars, but the CRX Del Sol was a bit of a disappointment for many. It was introduced in 1992 as the replacement for the beloved CR-X, but, according to the report, it failed to live up to expectations.
One of the biggest complaints was its leaky roof, which made driving in the rain a real nightmare for its owner. It also had a noisy cabin, and the front brake rotors were known to wear out quickly. While it might have a unique look, these financial experts say that it’s not the best choice if you want a hassle-free car.
Toyota Paseo – a car that never caught on
Toyota is known for making some of the best-selling cars in the world. But the Toyota Paseo, which was produced from 1991 to 1997, never gained much popularity. It was built on the same frame as the Corolla, so it wasn’t a bad car, but it just somehow lacked appeal.
The biggest issue with the Paseo today isn’t reliability—it’s availability. Since Toyota didn’t sell many of them, finding replacement parts is a headache and a half. If something breaks, repairs could be expensive and sometimes even impossible. For that reason alone, it’s best to look for a different used car. (And if you are considering just forking out for a new one, it’s best to see what comes out of this gathering) .
Suzuki Samurai & Suzuki X-90 – unstable and unsafe
Suzuki is no longer a major player in the U.S. car market, and part of the reason for this is models like the Samurai and X-90. The Suzuki Samurai was meant to be a fun, off-road SUV, similar to a Jeep Wrangler. But it had a major safety issue—for instance, it was prone to rolling over during sharp turns.
Its successor, the Suzuki X-90, didn’t do much better either. It had an odd design that confused its buyers, and it suffered from the same stability issues as the Samurai. Because of their safety concerns, both models are best avoided, even if you find a nice and cheap deal.
It’s just best to do your research
Japanese car makers have built some of the most dependable cars on the road. But as this list shows, even trusted brands have had their failures.
If you’re shopping for a car in 2025, do your research. Some vehicles might look great on the outside, but under the hood, they could be a disaster waiting to happen.
