FaultScore

Chevrolet Sonoma vs Mercedes Benz CLS500

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 Sonoma Mercedes Benz CLS500
Complaints on file 35 87
Model years covered 1991–2003 2004–2009
Worst model year
Best model year
Crashes reported 4 5
Fires reported 3 0
Injuries reported 0 3
Deaths reported 0 0
Most complained-about part Brakes Fuel & Propulsion
Share of complaints involving harm 20% 9.2%

Chevrolet Sonoma by year

91 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Brakes 13 37.1%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 5 14.3%
Transmission & Drivetrain 4 11.4%
Airbags 3 8.6%
Engine & Cooling 2 5.7%
Body & Structure 2 5.7%
Electrical System 1 2.9%
Lights 1 2.9%

Mercedes Benz CLS500 by year

04 06 07 09
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Brakes 24 27.6%
Airbags 6 6.9%
Transmission & Drivetrain 4 4.6%
Electrical System 4 4.6%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 4 4.6%
Wheels 4 4.6%
Engine & Cooling 3 3.4%