FaultScore

Which cars have the most engine problems

Owners have filed 288,020 complaints with NHTSA about the engine & cooling. These are the models and model years that account for most of them.

Read these as volume, not as a reliability ranking: a model that sold in millions appears near the top for that reason alone.

Worst model years for engine problems

Vehicle Complaints Share of that year Median miles Grade
2017 Ford Escape 2,063 63% 77,000 F
1995 Ford Windstar 1,849 39% 80,539 F
2018 Ford Escape 1,470 68% 85,725 F
2013 Ford Escape 1,440 39% 79,000 F
2011 Hyundai Sonata 1,011 22% 96,000 D
2017 Ford Edge 916 56% 72,706 F
2014 Ford Escape 908 34% 79,039 F
2016 Honda Pilot 803 34% 70,000 D
2000 Dodge Intrepid 800 65% 77,204 F
2010 Ford Fusion 794 11% 55,000 B
2013 Hyundai Sonata 776 29% 97,000 F
1993 Ford Taurus 760 34% 78,050 D
2002 Nissan Altima 752 57% 90,000 F
2016 KIA Sorento 722 44% 84,994 F
1999 Dodge Intrepid 720 58% 84,000 F
2015 KIA Soul 687 56% 97,814 F
2018 Ford Ecosport 667 69% 67,000 F
2017 Hyundai Santa FE 662 52% 63,250 F
2016 KIA Soul 661 58% 90,000 F
2013 KIA Optima 655 35% 100,000 F
2015 KIA Optima 652 47% 88,000 F
2015 Hyundai Sonata 640 39% 66,684 F
2015 Chrysler 200 610 18% 48,000 C
2017 Hyundai Tucson 608 42% 60,000 F
2014 KIA Soul 606 50% 103,558 F

Engine problems by brand

Every brand's record for this part, across its whole range.

Models with the most engine problems

Ford Escape 9,458 8.9%

Worst in 2017

Ford F-150 7,236 6.8%

Worst in 2018

Hyundai Sonata 5,099 4.8%

Worst in 2011

Jeep Grand Cherokee 4,371 4.1%

Worst in 2014

KIA Sorento 4,214 3.9%

Worst in 2016

Ford Explorer 4,189 3.9%

Worst in 2016

Ford Fusion 4,041 3.8%

Worst in 2010

Ford Taurus 3,716 3.5%

Worst in 1993

Ford Focus 3,622 3.4%

Worst in 2000

KIA Soul 3,505 3.3%

Worst in 2015

Nissan Altima 3,482 3.3%

Worst in 2002

Honda Accord 3,398 3.2%

Worst in 2018

KIA Optima 3,390 3.2%

Worst in 2013

Chevrolet Equinox 3,179 3.0%

Worst in 2013

Chevrolet Malibu 3,161 3.0%

Worst in 2016

Ford Edge 3,153 3.0%

Worst in 2017

Ford Windstar 3,104 2.9%

Worst in 1995

Dodge Intrepid 3,042 2.9%

Worst in 2000

Worst in 2021

Jeep Cherokee 2,904 2.7%

Worst in 2014

Toyota Camry 2,782 2.6%

Worst in 2007

Honda Cr-V 2,751 2.6%

Worst in 2018

Jeep Wrangler 2,738 2.6%

Worst in 2024

RAM 1500 2,645 2.5%

Worst in 2015

Hyundai Santa FE 2,613 2.4%

Worst in 2017

Honda Pilot 2,522 2.4%

Worst in 2016

Dodge Durango 2,475 2.3%

Worst in 2004

Hyundai Tucson 2,448 2.3%

Worst in 2017

Chrysler Pacifica 2,402 2.3%

Worst in 2017

GMC Sierra 1500 2,108 2.0%

Worst in 2021

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files each complaint against a specific sub-assembly. These are the ones named most often inside engine & cooling.

Engine 167,999 58.6%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 40,511 14.1%
Engine 30,719 10.7%
Gasoline 18,327 6.4%
Cooling System 7,235 2.5%
Exhaust System 4,559 1.6%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 4,213 1.5%
Belts AND Associated Pulleys 2,671 0.9%
Emission Control 2,090 0.7%
Radiator Assembly 2,075 0.7%
Catalytic Convertor 2,052 0.7%
FAN 1,495 0.5%
Diesel 1,096 0.4%
GAS Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) 1,030 0.4%
Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings 441 0.2%