FaultScore

BMW 435I vs Volkswagen R32

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 435I Volkswagen R32
Complaints on file 61 152
Model years covered 2014–2016 2004–2008
Worst model year 2014
Best model year 2016
Crashes reported 4 1
Fires reported 0 1
Injuries reported 1 0
Deaths reported 0 0
Most complained-about part Engine & Cooling Transmission & Drivetrain
Share of complaints involving harm 8.2% 1.3%

BMW 435I 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 17 27.9%
Fuel & Propulsion 13 21.3%
Transmission & Drivetrain 6 9.8%
Electrical System 6 9.8%
Airbags 4 6.6%
Other & Unspecified 4 6.6%
Body & Structure 2 3.3%
Steering 1 1.6%

Volkswagen R32 by year

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

What breaks

Electrical System 8 5.3%
Engine & Cooling 7 4.6%
Lights 7 4.6%
Tires 4 2.6%
Airbags 3 2.0%
Body & Structure 2 1.3%