FaultScore

Chevrolet Nova vs Lexus ES 350

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 Chevrolet Nova Lexus ES 350
Complaints on file 40 100
Model years covered 1984–1990 2007–2014
Worst model year
Best model year
Crashes reported 5 1
Fires reported 1 1
Injuries reported 6 1
Deaths reported 3 0
Most complained-about part Transmission & Drivetrain Airbags
Share of complaints involving harm 37.5% 3%

Chevrolet Nova by year

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

What breaks

Transmission & Drivetrain 13 32.5%
Seat Belts 8 20.0%
Brakes 3 7.5%
Doors, Latches & Locks 3 7.5%
Engine & Cooling 2 5.0%
Electrical System 2 5.0%
Steering 2 5.0%
Tires 2 5.0%

Lexus ES 350 by year

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

What breaks

Airbags 64 64.0%
Other & Unspecified 9 9.0%
Body & Structure 7 7.0%
Electrical System 6 6.0%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 3 3.0%
Engine & Cooling 2 2.0%
Steering 2 2.0%
Brakes 2 2.0%