FaultScore

BMW 318I vs Isuzu Ascender

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure BMW 318I Isuzu Ascender
Complaints on file 113 281
Model years covered 1984–2003 2003–2007
Worst model year 1994 2006
Best model year 1993 2007
Crashes reported 11 9
Fires reported 4 8
Injuries reported 7 7
Deaths reported 0 0
Most complained-about part Engine & Cooling Electrical System
Share of complaints involving harm 19.5% 8.5%

BMW 318I by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Engine & Cooling 35 31.0%
Electrical System 17 15.0%
Airbags 11 9.7%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 9 8.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain 7 6.2%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 7 6.2%
Fuel & Propulsion 6 5.3%
Brakes 5 4.4%

Isuzu Ascender by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Lights 23 8.2%
Engine & Cooling 15 5.3%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 13 4.6%
Transmission & Drivetrain 12 4.3%
Airbags 12 4.3%
Brakes 7 2.5%