Is your car reliable? The most complained about vehicle models in the US
- Ford vehicles have been subject to the most complaints since 2015, according to new data, with a 17% share of all complaints made
- The Ford Fusion ranks as the most complained-about vehicle model, with a percentage share of 2.6% of all complaints
- Chevrolet ranks second most complained-about brand, with 9.8% of all complaints, and Toyota third with 6.4%
A new study by tire experts at Tires Easy has revealed the vehicle makes and models that were subject to the most complaints over the past decade.
The research analyzed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data regarding over 620,000 complaints entered into the Office of Defects Investigation’s (ODI) vehicle owner’s complaint database since 2015. The data indicated the number of complaints made about specific vehicle models and makes, and revealed the U.S. locations where residents have made the most complaints about their vehicles.
Most complained-about vehicle makes
Ford has been subject to the largest number of complaints since 2015 with the data showing 110,011 complaints regarding vehicles made by the American manufacturer. Complaints about Ford vehicles make up a total of 17.61% of all the complaints in the NHTSA database. While Ford accounts for the most vehicle sales in the US, their vehicles also constitute six of the top ten most complained-about models, with the Fusion, F-150, and Escape making up the top three in that order.
Chevrolet is the second-most complained-about vehicle brand, with 61,307 complaints, which equates to 9.82% of all complaints. The most complained-about Chevrolet model is the Malibu, which ranks with the tenth most complaints of all models, nationwide, with 9,273 complaints. With this, the Malibu was subject to 1.49% of all complaints in the NHTSA data.
In third, Toyota vehicles received 41,465 complaints. No Toyota model ranks in the top ten most complained-about models, with the Corolla, the most-complained-about Toyota, ranking as the 21st most complained-about vehicle overall. Toyota vehicles were, however, the subject of 6.64% of all the analyzed complaints.
Honda and Jeep were revealed as the fourth and fifth-most complained-about car brands, respectively. Honda vehicles accounted for 6.56% of all complaints with a total of 40,987, while Jeep saw 40,513, 6.49% of all complaints.
Table: The most complained-about car makes in the US
| Rank | Make | Complaints | Percentage share of complaints |
| 1 | Ford | 110,011 | 17.61% |
| 2 | Chevrolet | 61,307 | 9.82% |
| 3 | Toyota | 41,465 | 6.64% |
| 4 | Honda | 40,987 | 6.56% |
| 5 | Jeep | 40,513 | 6.49% |
| 6 | Dodge | 32,627 | 5.22% |
| 7 | Nissan | 32,026 | 5.13% |
| 8 | Hyundai | 31,684 | 5.07% |
| 9 | Kia | 25,196 | 4.03% |
| 10 | Chrysler | 19,754 | 3.16% |
In sixth, Dodge vehicles received 32,627 complaints, accounting for 5.22% of all complaints. Dodge is closely followed in seventh by Nissan whose vehicles received 32,026 complaints, 5.13% of all complaints.
The final three in the ten most complained-about vehicle makes were Hyundai, Kia, and Chrysler, in this order. Hyundai saw 31,684 complaints, Kia 25,196, and Chrysler 19,754.
Most complained-about vehicle models
The Ford Fusion was revealed as the most complained-about car model, nationwide, with 16,335 complaints about the vehicle constituting 2.63% of the overall 620,000+ complaints. The Fusion is followed by two other Ford models, the F-150, and the Escape which received 15,378, and 14,940 complaints since 2015, respectively.
A Jeep ranks as the fourth most complained-about vehicle, with the Grand Cherokee receiving 12,248complaints. The Jeep precedes a further two Ford vehicles in the Explorer and the Focus which rank as the fifth and sixth most complained-about models, respectively.
The Hyundai Sonata was subject to 10,170 complaints in seventh, followed in eighth by the Honda CR-V, subject to 10,016 complaints. The Ford Edge, subject to 9,871 complaints, ranks as the penultimate top ten most complained-about vehicle models in the US. The top ten ends with the Chevrolet Malibu, which received 9,273 complaints.
Table: The most complained-about car models in the US
| Rank | Model | Complaints | Percentage share of complaints made |
| 1 | Ford Fusion | 16,335 | 2.63% |
| 2 | Ford F-150 | 15,378 | 2.48% |
| 3 | Ford Escape | 14,940 | 2.41% |
| 4 | Jeep Grand Cherokee | 12,248 | 1.97% |
| 5 | Ford Explorer | 11,037 | 1.78% |
| 6 | Ford Focus | 11,013 | 1.78% |
| 7 | Hyundai Sonata | 10,170 | 1.64% |
| 8 | Honda CR-V | 10,016 | 1.61% |
| 9 | Ford Edge | 9,871 | 1.59% |
| 10 | Chevrolet Malibu | 9,273 | 1.49% |
Gary Davis of Tires Easy commented on the findings: “While these statistics should be considered with the relative proportion of all vehicle sales that each brand accounts for in mind, it’s certainly interesting to learn the makes and models that prove the most cumbersome for vehicle owners, and therefore receive the most complaints.
The models revealed as subject to the most complaints are of course big sellers across the U.S. but this does not necessarily exempt their makers from criticism with owners ordinarily only submitting complaints for persistent vehicle issues.”
ENDS
Story credit: https://tires-easy.com
Source: NHTSA
Methodology: Data from NHTSA spreadsheets regarding the years 2015-2024 were analyzed. Duplicate complaints were removed using the NHTSA’s internal reference number. Complaints were then counted with specific figures, established vehicle models and makes, and the states and towns from which they were made.
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
