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
1,029 complaints · suspension
160 crashes · 23 fires
2023 Volkswagen ID.4
845 complaints · electrical system
128 crashes · 10 fires
2024 Tesla Cybertruck
260 complaints · electrical system
49 crashes · 3 fires
2015 Subaru Legacy
232 complaints · windows, mirrors & wipers
32 crashes · 5 fires
2007 Lexus ES350
529 complaints · airbags
72 crashes · 5 fires
2016 Tesla Model X
685 complaints · suspension
117 crashes · 7 fires
2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid
246 complaints · windows, mirrors & wipers
28 crashes · 0 fires
2023 Tesla Model Y
2,017 complaints · driver assist & collision avoidance
324 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
1,710 complaints · driver assist & collision avoidance
205 crashes · 7 fires
2016 Subaru Forester
622 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
1,088 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda MX-5 Miata | 1990–2005 | 1999 | 1994 | 391 | Airbags |
| Ford F Series | 1971–2008 | 2000 | 2005 | 391 | Engine & Cooling |
| Genesis GV70 | 2022–2026 | 2022 | 2026 | 391 | Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance |
| Chevrolet Equinox EV | 2024–2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 391 | Windows, Mirrors & Wipers |
| Toyota T100 | 1992–1998 | 1995 | 1998 | 390 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| Toyota Tercel | 1982–2000 | 1993 | 1997 | 389 | Airbags |
| Infiniti QX4 | 1997–2006 | 2001 | 2000 | 389 | Suspension |
| Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme | 1987–1997 | 1995 | 1996 | 387 | Brakes |
| BMW 550I | 2006–2016 | 2011 | 2013 | 386 | Engine & Cooling |
| Mitsubishi Endeavor | 2004–2011 | 2004 | 2008 | 382 | Body & Structure |
| Saturn SC | 1991–2002 | 1994 | 1998 | 379 | Seats |
| 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 | 2015 | 369 | Engine & Cooling |
| Buick Envision | 2016–2025 | 2017 | 2025 | 368 | Electrical System |
| Grand Design Momentum | 2015–2025 | 2021 | 2018 | 366 | Body & Structure |
| Ford Ford Truck | 1968–2003 | 1997 | 1996 | 365 | Tires |
| Hyundai XG350 | 2001–2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 364 | Airbags |
| Audi Q3 | 2008–2026 | 2020 | 2019 | 364 | Electrical System |
| Acura ILX | 2013–2022 | 2016 | 2020 | 363 | Airbags |
| Audi A8 | 1996–2021 | 2015 | 2012 | 362 | Engine & Cooling |
| Mercury Montego | 1975–2007 | 2005 | 2007 | 360 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| Jeep Grand Wagoneer | 1984–2026 | 2022 | 1999 | 359 | Electrical System |
| Chevrolet G20 | 1971–1999 | 1995 | 1994 | 355 | Brakes |
| 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 |
| Alfa Romeo Stelvio | 2018–2025 | 2018 | 2022 | 351 | Fuel & Propulsion |
| Buick Encore GX | 2020–2026 | 2020 | 2025 | 348 | Electrical System |
| BMW 540I | 1994–2025 | 2018 | 1994 | 347 | Engine & Cooling |
| Infiniti I30 | 1996–2004 | 2001 | 1997 | 345 | Airbags |
| Lexus NX | 2015–2026 | 2024 | 2023 | 344 | Fuel & Propulsion |
| BMW X3 SAV | 2007–2012 | 2007 | 2011 | 343 | Airbags |
| Buick Terraza | 2005–2007 | 2005 | 2007 | 341 | Electrical System |
| Suzuki Verona | 2004–2006 | 2004 | 2006 | 339 | Engine & Cooling |
| Audi A4 Allroad | 2013–2024 | 2013 | 2020 | 339 | Steering |
| Mercedes Benz GLE 350 | 2018–2024 | 2020 | 2023 | 339 | Engine & Cooling |
| Mazda Millenia | 1991–2003 | 1995 | 1996 | 338 | Engine & Cooling |
| Mercedes Benz S Class | 1994–2012 | 2000 | 1994 | 338 | Electrical System |
| Jaguar I-Pace | 2019–2024 | 2019 | 2024 | 335 | Electrical System |
| Harley-Davidson Flhtcu | 1994–2019 | 2008 | 2014 | 333 | Brakes |
| GMC Sierra Denali | 2002–2020 | 2019 | 2013 | 333 | Brakes |
| Mercedes Benz 320 | 1994–2002 | 1994 | 2001 | 332 | Electrical System |
| Volvo XC40 | 2019–2025 | 2023 | 2025 | 332 | Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance |
| 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 |
| Chrysler Voyager | 2000–2024 | 2002 | 2021 | 325 | Airbags |
| Mercedes Benz C350 | 2006–2009 | 2008 | 2006 | 323 | Airbags |
| Fiat 500X | 2016–2022 | 2016 | 2018 | 319 | Engine & Cooling |
| Lincoln Nautilus | 2019–2026 | 2019 | 2021 | 319 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution | 2003–2015 | 2003 | 2011 | 314 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| Mercury Mariner Hybrid | 2006–2012 | 2008 | 2010 | 314 | Engine & Cooling |
| Audi Q8 | 2019–2025 | 2019 | 2021 | 314 | Electrical System |
| Tesla Cybertruck | 2024–2026 | 2024 | 2026 | 313 | Electrical System |
| Ford Focus Electric | 2012–2017 | 2013 | 2017 | 312 | Electrical System |
| Cadillac XTS | 2013–2019 | 2014 | 2016 | 310 | Electrical System |
| Mercedes Benz SL500 | 1992–2009 | 2004 | 2006 | 308 | Suspension |