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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturn VUE Hybrid | 2007–2009 | 2007 | 2009 | 72 | Electrical System |
| Volvo V60 | 2015–2024 | 2015 | 2020 | 72 | Engine & Cooling |
| GMC Silverado | 1999–2007 | 1999 | 2001 | 70 | Brakes |
| Harley-Davidson Fltru | 2009–2019 | 2009 | 2016 | 70 | Steering |
| Mercedes Benz GL550 | 2010–2016 | 2013 | 2011 | 70 | Airbags |
| KIA Forte Koup | 2010–2016 | 2013 | 2012 | 70 | Engine & Cooling |
| Plymouth Prowler | 1997–2002 | 2001 | 1999 | 69 | Suspension |
| Buick Cascada | 2016–2019 | 2016 | 2017 | 69 | Engine & Cooling |
| Audi A4 Cabriolet | 2006–2009 | 2009 | 2008 | 69 | Airbags |
| Gulf Stream Motorhome | 1988–2003 | 1998 | 2000 | 68 | Suspension |
| Volvo WIA64TES | 1989–1997 | 1995 | 1997 | 68 | Suspension |
| KIA Sorento Phev | 2022–2025 | 2022 | 2023 | 68 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| Chevrolet C35 | 1988–1996 | 1993 | 1995 | 67 | Brakes |
| Chrysler Sebring Coupe | 1996–2005 | 2002 | 1996 | 67 | Suspension |
| Lexus ES Hybrid | 2013–2022 | 2016 | 2014 | 67 | Brakes |
| Mercedes Benz SLK350 | 2005–2008 | 2005 | 2007 | 66 | Airbags |
| Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 | 2012–2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 66 | Airbags |
| Indian Scout | 2001–2025 | 2015 | 2016 | 65 | Brakes |
| Mercedes Benz E 350 | 2020–2026 | 2021 | 2022 | 65 | Electrical System |
| Lincoln Aviator Phev | 2020–2023 | 2022 | 2020 | 65 | Electrical System |
| Dodge Quad | 1998–2002 | 2001 | 1998 | 64 | Body & Structure |
| Forest River R-Pod | 2010–2024 | 2019 | 2018 | 64 | Body & Structure |
| RAM 4500 | 2009–2024 | 2014 | 2018 | 64 | Brakes |
| Honda GL1800A | 2001–2015 | 2013 | 2003 | 63 | Body & Structure |
| Lincoln Corsair Phev | 2021–2025 | 2021 | 2023 | 63 | Electrical System |
| Dodge B Series | 1976–1998 | 1998 | 1995 | 62 | Electrical System |
| Saab 95 | 2000–2002 | 2001 | 2002 | 62 | Electrical System |
| Dodge Charger AWD | 2007–2010 | 2008 | 2010 | 62 | Engine & Cooling |
| Lexus LS460L | 2007–2010 | 2007 | 2010 | 62 | Brakes |
| BMW 330E | 2016–2024 | 2023 | 2018 | 62 | Electrical System |
| GMC Passenger Vehicle | 1998–2002 | 1998 | 1999 | 61 | Brakes |
| Harley-Davidson Flhrc | 2007–2013 | 2007 | 2008 | 61 | Brakes |
| BMW K1200 S | 2003–2010 | 2005 | 2006 | 61 | Fuel & Propulsion |
| BMW 435I | 2014–2016 | 2014 | 2016 | 61 | Engine & Cooling |
| Yamaha XV1700 | 2002–2007 | 2005 | 2007 | 60 | Fuel & Propulsion |
| Mercedes Benz SLK280 | 2006–2008 | 2008 | 2006 | 60 | Airbags |
| Mazda MAZDA2 | 2011–2014 | 2014 | 2011 | 60 | Steering |
| Jaguar XE | 2017–2020 | 2017 | 2018 | 60 | Electrical System |
| Fleetwood American Eagle | 1993–2011 | 1998 | 2008 | 59 | Tires |
| Chevrolet Yukon | 1998–2003 | 2000 | 2003 | 59 | Brakes |
| Monaco Coach Cayman | 2002–2009 | 2006 | 2005 | 59 | Suspension |
| Harley-Davidson Fltrxs | 2015–2023 | 2016 | 2017 | 59 | Electrical System |
| Jaguar F-Type | 2014–2020 | 2016 | 2018 | 59 | Engine & Cooling |
| Volkswagen Arteon | 2019–2023 | 2021 | 2022 | 59 | Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance |
| GMC Sierra 1500 HD | 2001–2005 | 2003 | 2002 | 58 | Brakes |
| KIA SPECTRA5 | 2006–2008 | 2008 | 2007 | 58 | Airbags |
| Nissan Redundant NV200 | 2013–2017 | 2015 | 2014 | 58 | Airbags |
| KIA Sportage Phev | 2023–2026 | 2024 | 2023 | 58 | Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance |
| Mercedes Benz 600 | 1992–2001 | 2001 | 1994 | 57 | Electrical System |
| Cadillac CT4 | 2020–2025 | 2024 | 2021 | 56 | Engine & Cooling |
| Acura TLX Type S | 2021–2023 | 2021 | 2023 | 56 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| BMW Z3 Roadster | 1998–2001 | 1998 | 2001 | 55 | Body & Structure |
| Western Alpine Coach | 1998–2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 54 | Steering |
| International Prostar | 2008–2017 | 2013 | 2012 | 54 | Engine & Cooling |
| Mercedes Benz E300 | 1995–2009 | 1998 | 1997 | 53 | Electrical System |
| Ducati 1000GT | 2006–2009 | 2007 | 2009 | 53 | Fuel & Propulsion |
| Dodge RAM 4500 | 2008–2012 | 2012 | 2008 | 53 | Steering |
| Audi A5 Cabriolet | 2010–2017 | 2011 | 2010 | 53 | Airbags |
| Mercedes Benz CL Class | 2000–2004 | 2003 | 2004 | 52 | Suspension |
| Mercedes Benz GLC 300 4MATIC | 2023–2026 | 2025 | 2023 | 49 | Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance |