Which Car Has the Most Complaints?
The 2002 Ford Explorer has the most owner complaints of any single model-year vehicle in the United States, based on consumer reports filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and aggregated by sites such as CarComplaints.com. In broader, all-years totals by model, the Ford Explorer also ranks among the most complained-about vehicles due to its long sales history and multiple problem-plagued years.
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How “most complaints” is measured—and why it matters
Public complaint counts typically come from NHTSA’s database, where owners report safety and reliability issues. Independent trackers like CarComplaints.com and NHTSA’s own complaint portal organize these filings by model and model year. High complaint volumes can spotlight chronic defects or design flaws, but they’re also influenced by how many vehicles were sold and how long they’ve been on the road.
The car with the most complaints: 2002 Ford Explorer
Among single model-years, the 2002 Ford Explorer consistently tops complaint rankings. The model became notorious for widespread transmission failures, cracking rear liftgate panels, and other durability issues that generated thousands of owner reports over time. Because the Explorer sold in large numbers in the early 2000s, the scale of the problem is reflected in unusually high complaint totals that still dominate the charts.
What drove the 2002 Ford Explorer’s complaint surge
These are the most frequently cited issues behind the 2002 Explorer’s complaint volume, as summarized from owner reports and defect trend analyses:
- Automatic transmission failures and harsh shifting occurring at relatively low mileage
- Cracked rear liftgate glass trim/panel leading to cosmetic and potential water intrusion problems
- Wheel bearing and differential issues causing noise and drivability concerns
- Cooling system and electrical gremlins contributing to repeated repairs
Together, these problems made the 2002 Explorer emblematic of how a high-volume vehicle with several pervasive defects can dominate complaint statistics for years.
Other model-years with unusually high complaint counts
While the 2002 Explorer is the standout single-year case, several other mainstream models and years have accumulated large complaint totals, often tied to specific, well-documented defects.
- 2007 Toyota Camry: Reports of excessive oil consumption and engine issues
- 2011 Chevrolet Cruze: Engine cooling and transmission problems noted by owners
- 2010 Chevrolet Equinox: Oil consumption and timing-related engine complaints
- 2008 Chevrolet Malibu: Power steering failures and electrical faults
- Mid-2010s Ford Focus (various years): Dual-clutch transmission shuddering and failures
These model-years appear frequently in complaint leaderboards because they combine high sales volumes with recurring, widely experienced defects, amplifying the number of reports.
How to check complaint data for any car you’re considering
If you want to validate complaint patterns for a specific vehicle or VIN, these steps will help you get authoritative, current information.
- Search the NHTSA complaint database by make, model, and year to see owner-filed issues and trends.
- Use CarComplaints.com to view “Most Complaints” and “Worst Vehicles” lists, plus model-year problem summaries.
- Run a VIN lookup on NHTSA’s recall tool to check open recalls and investigate defect investigations.
- Cross-reference with owner forums and reliability trackers (e.g., Consumer Reports) for context beyond raw counts.
Combining official complaint data with independent reliability scores provides a more complete picture than any single source alone.
Why complaint counts don’t tell the whole story
Complaint totals are useful red flags, but they have limitations. They’re influenced by sales volume and vehicle age, so popular, older models naturally accrue more reports. Reporting behavior also varies among owner groups. Finally, not all complaints reflect severe or safety-critical issues—some are minor nuisances documented in large numbers.
Summary
The 2002 Ford Explorer holds the record for the most owner complaints of any single model year, driven by widespread transmission and body issues documented over many years. Other high-complaint standouts include model-years such as the 2007 Toyota Camry and 2010–2011 Chevrolets (Equinox and Cruze). For any car you’re evaluating, consult NHTSA’s database, recall tools, and independent reliability resources to understand both the volume and the severity of reported problems.
What car brand has the worst problems?
There isn’t a single “most problematic” car brand, as reliability varies by model and year, but brands like Rivian, Fiat, and Jaguar frequently rank poorly for reliability in recent surveys and consumer reports. Other brands like Alfa Romeo, Vauxhall, Nissan, and Cadillac also show consistent issues, while new electric vehicle manufacturers often struggle with dependability.
Brands with Frequent Reliability Issues:
- Rivian: A new company with low predicted reliability scores for its models, particularly due to software glitches, suspension issues, and potential battery problems.
- Fiat: Known for frequent transmission failures, engine issues, electrical problems, and expensive parts that take time to arrive.
- Jaguar: Has a reputation for self-destructing engines, failing infotainment screens, high maintenance costs, and below-average reliability.
- Alfa Romeo: Frequently listed as one of the least reliable brands in reliability surveys.
- Vauxhall: Also ranks among the least dependable brands, according to some surveys.
- Nissan: Another brand that appears on lists of less reliable car companies.
- Cadillac: Certain models, especially newer ones, have shown low reliability scores, particularly in areas like EV batteries and electrical systems.
Other Considerations:
- New Models: Be cautious of first-year models or completely redesigned vehicles, as they often have more initial problems with transmissions, electronics, and other components.
- Electric Vehicles (EVs): Some EV brands, including Rivian and some Cadillac and Chevrolet models, have specific issues with EV batteries, charging, and electrical accessories.
- Brand vs. Model: Reliability can vary significantly between different models within the same brand. For example, the Toyota Tacoma has been a lower-ranked model despite Toyota’s generally high reliability, according to one report.
It’s important to conduct specific research on the exact year and model you’re considering to get a clear picture of its reliability.
What car has the worst reputation of all time?
AMC Pacer (1975–80)
Including it in Time magazine’s “50 Worst Cars of All Time”, Dan Neil described the Pacer as a “glassine bolus of dorkiness” and that “in the summer, it was like being an ant under a mean kid’s magnifying glass.
What is the most complained about car?
Cars with the most complaints
| Make & Model | # of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Ford F-150 | 15,378 |
| Ford Escape | 14,940 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | 12,248 |
| Ford Explorer | 11,037 |
What car brand has the most lawsuits?
America’s Most Sued Auto Manufacturers 2017
| Name | Cases | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| General Motors | 260 | 93% |
| Chrysler | 36 | 88% |
| Toyota | 30 | 80% |
| Ford | 18 | 33% |
