I’m an Auto Expert: These Are the 30 Worst Cars of the 1980s

The 1980s were a pivotal decade in automotive history, marked by flashy designs, bold colors, and unfortunately, some truly dreadful cars. Amidst the era’s disco vibes and technological advancements, there rolled out some vehicles that quickly became infamous.

Among the worst cars of the 1980s were models plagued by reliability issues, poor performance, and costly repairs. These are the automobiles that left their owners frustrated and mechanics busy. Dive in to discover more about these infamous models and what made them the most regrettable purchases of the 1980s.

Yugo GV

• Model Year: Introduced in 1985.
• Why Considered Bad: Known for its low price, the Yugo GV was plagued by poor build quality, frequent breakdowns, and a lack of basic features. It became infamous for its unreliability.

Chevrolet Citation

• Model Year: Introduced in 1980.
• Why Considered Bad: The Citation faced numerous recalls, including issues with its brakes and rear axle. It suffered from rust problems and poor build quality, damaging its reputation.

Pontiac Fiero

• Model Year: Introduced in 1984.
• Why Considered Bad: Early models were prone to engine fires due to oil leaks. Additionally, the Fiero had various mechanical issues and a lack of power, which overshadowed its innovative design.

Cadillac Cimarron

• Model Year: Introduced in 1982.
• Why Considered Bad: Essentially a rebadged Chevrolet Cavalier, the Cimarron was overpriced and underwhelming. It failed to meet luxury car standards and hurt Cadillac’s brand image.

Renault Alliance

• Model Year: Introduced in 1983.
• Why Considered Bad: Despite winning Motor Trend’s Car of the Year in 1983, the Alliance faced severe reliability issues, rust problems, and poor build quality, leading to a short lifespan.

Ford EXP

• Model Year: Introduced in 1982.
• Why Considered Bad: The EXP was criticized for its lackluster performance, uninspired design, and poor handling. It failed to attract the intended younger buyers.

Chrysler TC by Maserati

• Model Year: Introduced in 1989.
• Why Considered Bad: This luxury roadster was overpriced and underperformed compared to its competition. Its design and build quality did not meet the expectations set by the Maserati name.

Chevrolet Chevette

• Model Year: Continued into the 1980s.
• Why Considered Bad: The Chevette was outdated, underpowered, and had a basic design. It was known for its poor performance and lack of modern features.

AMC Eagle

• Model Year: Introduced in 1980.
• Why Considered Bad: While innovative as one of the first crossover SUVs, the Eagle suffered from reliability issues, poor build quality, and rust problems.

Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon

• Model Year: Continued into the 1980s.
• Why Considered Bad: These models faced numerous recalls, including issues with the carburetor and suspension. They were also criticized for their poor build quality and handling.

Ford Mustang II

• Model Year: Continued criticism into the early 1980s.
• Why Considered Bad: Known for its lack of power and poor handling, the Mustang II was a far cry from the performance and style of earlier Mustangs.

Mercury Lynx

• Model Year: Introduced in 1981.
• Why Considered Bad: The Lynx faced reliability issues and was criticized for its lackluster performance and uninspired design.

Pontiac 6000

• Model Year: Introduced in 1982.
• Why Considered Bad: The 6000 faced criticism for its build quality, reliability issues, and dated design, which failed to compete with more modern offerings.

Dodge Aries/Plymouth Reliant

• Model Year: Introduced in 1981.
• Why Considered Bad: Known for being underpowered and having reliability issues, these models were part of Chrysler’s K-car line, which helped save the company but suffered from quality problems.

Chevrolet Celebrity

• Model Year: Introduced in 1982.
• Why Considered Bad: The Celebrity was criticized for its bland design and mechanical problems, including issues with the transmission and electrical system.

Ford Tempo/Mercury Topaz

• Model Year: Introduced in 1984.
• Why Considered Bad: These models were known for their poor performance, reliability issues, and uninspired design, making them uncompetitive in their segment.

Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera

• Model Year: Introduced in 1982.
• Why Considered Bad: The Cutlass Ciera faced criticism for its build quality and outdated design, which failed to keep up with more modern competitors.

Buick Century

• Model Year: Introduced in 1982.
• Why Considered Bad: The Century was criticized for its lack of innovation, mechanical issues, and an overall uninspired design that did little to attract buyers.

Dodge Colt

• Model Year: Continued into the 1980s.
• Why Considered Bad: Known for its poor build quality and lackluster performance, the Colt failed to stand out in a competitive market.

Chevrolet Cavalier

• Model Year: Introduced in 1982.
• Why Considered Bad: The Cavalier faced numerous recalls and reliability problems, including issues with the engine and transmission, making it a less attractive option for buyers.

Ford Pinto

• Model Year: Continued criticism into the early 1980s.
• Why Considered Bad: The Pinto was infamous for its safety issues, particularly its tendency to catch fire in rear-end collisions. This reputation continued to haunt it into the early 1980s.

Subaru XT

• Model Year: Introduced in 1985.
• Why Considered Bad: While unique in design, the XT suffered from mechanical problems, including issues with the turbocharged engine and complex electronics.

Hyundai Excel