Owner complaints filed with the NHTSA are a window into the problems drivers actually experience after the sale. We ranked every model in our database by total complaint volume for its most recent year. Higher volume can reflect real trouble spots — or simply how many of that model are on the road — so we show recall counts and scores alongside for context.
Source: NHTSA recalls & complaints · 25 models · Data as of September 2026
| # | Vehicle | Score | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017 Ford Escape | 2.0 | 4 | 2,667 |
| 2 | 2016 Ford Fusion | 1.1 | 13 | 1,687 |
| 3 | 2017 Jeep Cherokee | 1.3 | 6 | 1,333 |
| 4 | 2021 Jeep Wrangler | 1.9 | 15 | 909 |
| 5 | 2018 Subaru Outback | 4.0 | 3 | 807 |
| 6 | 2021 Toyota Highlander | 4.3 | 4 | 503 |
| 7 | 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe | 2.6 | 16 | 443 |
| 8 | 2021 Honda Pilot | 4.1 | 10 | 424 |
| 9 | 2021 Ford Explorer | 2.6 | 26 | 413 |
| 10 | 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 1.8 | 12 | 401 |
| 11 | 2022 Kia Telluride | 4.3 | 7 | 319 |
| 12 | 2022 Hyundai Palisade | 4.3 | 5 | 302 |
| 13 | 2022 Honda CR-V | 6.2 | 3 | 253 |
| 14 | 2016 Chevrolet Cruze | 3.0 | 4 | 249 |
| 15 | 2021 Honda Accord | 5.5 | 4 | 226 |
| 16 | 2021 Subaru Forester | 7.5 | 0 | 207 |
| 17 | 2021 Dodge Durango | 4.0 | 8 | 199 |
| 18 | 2020 Chevrolet Malibu | 4.7 | 1 | 195 |
| 19 | 2021 Toyota Corolla | 6.2 | 1 | 185 |
| 20 | 2020 Hyundai Sonata | 4.8 | 4 | 177 |
| 21 | 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe | 4.8 | 7 | 165 |
| 22 | 2021 Toyota Camry | 6.2 | 1 | 155 |
| 23 | 2020 Nissan Rogue | 6.2 | 1 | 149 |
| 24 | 2022 Toyota RAV4 | 6.2 | 1 | 144 |
| 25 | 2020 Kia Optima | 6.8 | 0 | 143 |
Recall and complaint counts come from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) public API — the same federal database regulators use — for each model's most recent year in our database. The reliability score (0.5–10.0) combines brand-tier reliability, recall volume and severity, owner-complaint volume, and documented known issues.
This is a model-level estimate from public data, not a judgment on any specific vehicle. High-volume, popular models attract more recalls and complaints simply because more of them are on the road. Always get a pre-purchase inspection. Full methodology →
Free to cite with attribution to CarScorer (carscorer.com).
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