I am considering buying an H3. But I am concerned as I read a lot about unsatisfied customers and continuous complaints of breakdowns. The thing is that I am considering buying an SUV for my work and it has to meet the following criteria:
1. Can last five years in good shape.
2. Can endure 30,000 mile per year; 5,000 mile of which on unpaved roads.
3. Comfortable for long drives.

Any advice about the H3?

 

They are reliable vehicles. Are you buying new? if so with reg. maint. you should get the mileage. mine is real comfortable. I'm glad i got mine.

 

Thank you Mark for your reply. Yes I am considering buying a new H3. The dealer in KSA is making a very good offer on unsold 2008 models. And I got the info that the 2008 & 2009 are identical.

I've been reading online that H3 has maintenance problems, not heavy duty and breaks down often. That's why I subscribed to this forum. As for driving comfort, I'll test drive it this week inshallah but I am not sure how comfortable it would be on long drives on road and off road.

 

I have a 2008 H3, and i love it. I say it is the best truck/suv I've ever owned.
The ride is great and it handles real well.
There is a little difference in the 2009 model. I noticed a little piece of trim near the button for the sunroof on the 09, the 08 doesn't have.

 

I have an '06 H3 that I bought back in March. It has been on one 5 1/2 hour road trip since I bought it. It was amazingly comfortable. In a few weeks, it will get a 13 1/2 hour road trip to Ohio. As a daily driver, it is extremely easy to drive.

 

Mine is too new to tell you how long it will last, but I have no doubt that longevity will not be a problem. It is comfortable - Longest I've driven it is 3 hours with no problems.

 

Thank you guys for your feedback and support. May I ask what are things that you wish your H3 had? What it lacks? Or what do you miss in H3 in comparison to other SUVs?

 

I just finished 9.5 hours, 9 actually driving, in my 2007 base model. Cross winds did move me around a bit, not a surprise. The seats are really pretty comfortable. I learned not to wear cargo shorts for long trips though. Sounds odd I know, but with the way the seats come up on the sides, the cargo pockets were pressing into my right leg. My wife had only good things to say about the drive. Logged 19 hours of interstate over the last week. No problems.

 

I purchased a new 2008 H3 Alpha last September. I have put 12,449 since taking ownership. I travel to Orlando every other weekend (250 miles) and I have no comfort qualms but I do have some quality issues. I've had the oil pan gasket replaced ($449.00), the horn, the rear passenger door trim ($44.00), the driver's door re-aligned, and just recently replaced the reverse back up mirror/camera ($778.00). Thanks goodness its under factory warranty but replacing parts this early in ownership makes me wonder if my H3 was built close to beer-thirty Friday! LOL!

 

I wish they had Larger rear view mirrors like the Ford Superduty pickups have. there are blind spots with the H3's.