FaultScore

Dodge Nitro 4X4 vs Lexus RX300

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 Dodge Nitro 4X4 Lexus RX300
Complaints on file 342 849
Model years covered 2007–2009 1998–2003
Worst model year 1999
Best model year 2003
Crashes reported 5 89
Fires reported 7 16
Injuries reported 5 51
Deaths reported 0 0
Most complained-about part Electrical System Transmission & Drivetrain
Share of complaints involving harm 5% 18.4%

Dodge Nitro 4X4 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 24 7.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain 21 6.1%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 20 5.8%
Brakes 19 5.6%
Doors, Latches & Locks 12 3.5%

Lexus RX300 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 92 10.8%
Airbags 37 4.4%
Brakes 36 4.2%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 17 2.0%
Seat Belts 16 1.9%