Worst years for every car
Not every model year of a car is the same car. A gearbox changes, a supplier changes, a recall lands — and one year of an otherwise fine model turns into the one to walk away from. This ranks each year against the other years of its own model, which is the only comparison the federal data can support.
The worst model years on record
Graded F, with at least 200 complaints on file.
2009 Toyota Corolla
1,770 complaints · airbags
276 crashes · 16 fires
2010 Toyota Corolla
1,582 complaints · airbags
217 crashes · 16 fires
2016 Tesla Model S
1,027 complaints · suspension
160 crashes · 23 fires
2023 Volkswagen ID.4
840 complaints · electrical system
128 crashes · 10 fires
2024 Tesla Cybertruck
258 complaints · electrical system
49 crashes · 3 fires
2015 Subaru Legacy
232 complaints · windows, mirrors & wipers
32 crashes · 5 fires
2016 Tesla Model X
684 complaints · suspension
117 crashes · 7 fires
2007 Lexus ES350
529 complaints · airbags
72 crashes · 5 fires
2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid
246 complaints · windows, mirrors & wipers
28 crashes · 0 fires
2023 Tesla Model Y
1,987 complaints · driver assist & collision avoidance
323 crashes · 6 fires
1999 KIA Sephia
749 complaints · brakes
68 crashes · 77 fires
2009 Toyota Venza
231 complaints · acceleration & cruise control
24 crashes · 5 fires
2008 Lexus ES350
276 complaints · airbags
33 crashes · 1 fires
2014 Infiniti Q50
255 complaints · steering
22 crashes · 5 fires
2005 Scion TC
203 complaints · windows, mirrors & wipers
34 crashes · 4 fires
2018 Tesla Model 3
1,693 complaints · driver assist & collision avoidance
204 crashes · 7 fires
2016 Subaru Forester
617 complaints · airbags
77 crashes · 6 fires
2007 Toyota Corolla
984 complaints · airbags
165 crashes · 10 fires
2013 Hyundai Accent
207 complaints · brakes
27 crashes · 14 fires
2009 Toyota Camry
1,616 complaints · acceleration & cruise control
204 crashes · 27 fires
2007 Ford Mustang
728 complaints · airbags
64 crashes · 9 fires
2016 Mazda CX-5
628 complaints · lights
52 crashes · 16 fires
2006 Buick Lucerne
456 complaints · electrical system
50 crashes · 3 fires
2006 Toyota Avalon
449 complaints · acceleration & cruise control
73 crashes · 3 fires
2005 Cadillac CTS
396 complaints · transmission & drivetrain
45 crashes · 6 fires
Every model with a worst year on record
1,087 models have at least three graded years, which is the minimum for a fair within-model comparison.
| Model | Run | Worst year | Best year | Complaints | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Tercel | 1982–2000 | 1993 | 1997 | 389 | Airbags |
| Infiniti QX4 | 1997–2006 | 2001 | 2000 | 389 | Suspension |
| Toyota Venza Hybrid | 2021–2024 | 2021 | 2023 | 389 | Windows, Mirrors & Wipers |
| Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme | 1987–1997 | 1995 | 1996 | 387 | Brakes |
| BMW 550I | 2006–2016 | 2011 | 2013 | 386 | Engine & Cooling |
| Mitsubishi Endeavor | 2004–2011 | 2004 | 2008 | 381 | Body & Structure |
| Chevrolet Equinox EV | 2024–2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 381 | Windows, Mirrors & Wipers |
| Mazda CX-30 | 2020–2026 | 2021 | 2025 | 380 | Engine & Cooling |
| Saturn SC | 1991–2002 | 1994 | 1998 | 379 | Seats |
| Genesis GV70 | 2022–2026 | 2022 | 2026 | 373 | Fuel & Propulsion |
| Toyota Land Cruiser | 1977–2021 | 2000 | 2001 | 372 | Brakes |
| Infiniti M45 | 2003–2010 | 2003 | 2007 | 372 | Fuel & Propulsion |
| Workhorse W22 | 2000–2009 | 2003 | 2001 | 370 | Brakes |
| Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT 370 | 2002–2006 | 2005 | 2003 | 370 | Electrical System |
| Subaru XV Crosstrek | 2013–2017 | 2014 | 2013 | 368 | Engine & Cooling |
| Ford Ford Truck | 1968–2003 | 1997 | 1996 | 365 | Tires |
| Hyundai XG350 | 2001–2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 364 | Airbags |
| Audi A8 | 1996–2021 | 2015 | 2012 | 362 | Engine & Cooling |
| Grand Design Momentum | 2015–2025 | 2021 | 2018 | 361 | Body & Structure |
| Mercury Montego | 1975–2007 | 2005 | 2007 | 360 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| Acura ILX | 2013–2022 | 2016 | 2020 | 360 | Airbags |
| Buick Envision | 2016–2025 | 2017 | 2018 | 359 | Electrical System |
| Chevrolet G20 | 1971–1999 | 1995 | 1994 | 355 | Brakes |
| Audi Q3 | 2008–2026 | 2020 | 2019 | 355 | Electrical System |
| Oldsmobile Ciera | 1984–1996 | 1996 | 1995 | 354 | Brakes |
| KIA Amanti | 2004–2009 | 2004 | 2007 | 353 | Acceleration & Cruise Control |
| Chevrolet Cobalt SS | 2008–2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 353 | Brakes |
| Jeep Grand Wagoneer | 1984–2026 | 2022 | 1999 | 352 | Electrical System |
| Infiniti I30 | 1996–2004 | 2001 | 1997 | 345 | Airbags |
| BMW X3 SAV | 2007–2012 | 2007 | 2011 | 343 | Airbags |
| Buick Terraza | 2005–2007 | 2005 | 2007 | 341 | Electrical System |
| BMW 540I | 1994–2025 | 2018 | 1994 | 340 | Engine & Cooling |
| Alfa Romeo Stelvio | 2018–2025 | 2018 | 2022 | 340 | Fuel & Propulsion |
| Suzuki Verona | 2004–2006 | 2004 | 2006 | 339 | Engine & Cooling |
| Mazda Millenia | 1991–2003 | 1995 | 1996 | 338 | Engine & Cooling |
| Mercedes Benz S Class | 1994–2012 | 2000 | 1994 | 338 | Electrical System |
| Audi A4 Allroad | 2013–2024 | 2013 | 2020 | 338 | Steering |
| Mercedes Benz GLE 350 | 2018–2024 | 2020 | 2023 | 338 | Engine & Cooling |
| Lexus NX | 2015–2026 | 2024 | 2023 | 334 | Fuel & Propulsion |
| Harley-Davidson Flhtcu | 1994–2019 | 2008 | 2014 | 333 | Brakes |
| Mercedes Benz 320 | 1994–2002 | 1994 | 2001 | 332 | Electrical System |
| GMC Sierra Denali | 2002–2020 | 2019 | 2013 | 332 | Brakes |
| Jeep Compass 4X4 | 2007–2009 | 2007 | 2009 | 327 | Suspension |
| Yamaha Road Star | 1999–2009 | 2003 | 1999 | 326 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| BMW 330CI | 2000–2006 | 2004 | 2003 | 326 | Airbags |
| Volvo XC40 | 2019–2025 | 2023 | 2025 | 326 | Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance |
| Jaguar I-Pace | 2019–2024 | 2019 | 2024 | 325 | Electrical System |
| Buick Encore GX | 2020–2026 | 2020 | 2025 | 325 | Electrical System |
| Chrysler Voyager | 2000–2024 | 2002 | 2021 | 323 | Airbags |
| Mercedes Benz C350 | 2006–2009 | 2008 | 2006 | 323 | Airbags |
| Fiat 500X | 2016–2022 | 2016 | 2018 | 319 | Engine & Cooling |
| Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution | 2003–2015 | 2003 | 2011 | 314 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| Mercury Mariner Hybrid | 2006–2012 | 2008 | 2010 | 314 | Engine & Cooling |
| Ford Focus Electric | 2012–2017 | 2013 | 2017 | 312 | Electrical System |
| Cadillac XTS | 2013–2019 | 2014 | 2016 | 310 | Electrical System |
| Audi Q8 | 2019–2025 | 2019 | 2021 | 310 | Electrical System |
| Tesla Cybertruck | 2024–2026 | 2024 | 2026 | 309 | Electrical System |
| Mercedes Benz SL500 | 1992–2009 | 2004 | 2006 | 308 | Suspension |
| Chrysler Sebring Conv | 2006–2010 | 2008 | 2010 | 308 | Electrical System |
| Infiniti Q45 | 1990–2005 | 1994 | 1997 | 307 | Electrical System |