Car Years to Avoid: Worst Model Years by Owner Complaints (2026)

Newer cars to avoid (2016 and later)

Model year	Complaints	vs. typical year	Main problem
2026 Toyota Camry Hybrid	144	39.0×	Fuel System
2023 Lexus RX	62	27.0×	Transmission
2024 Lexus RX	59	27.0×	Electrical
2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid	172	25.6×	Body
2024 GMC Canyon	207	22.9×	Headlight
2017 BMW 330i	42	21.5×	Engine
2024 GMC Sierra 1500	371	18.8×	Engine
2021 Lexus RX	70	17.8×	Airbag
2023 Honda HR-V	687	17.1×	Window & Wiper
2019 Acura RDX	440	16.5×	Window & Wiper
2023 Acura Integra	208	16.0×	Steering
2025 Hyundai Tucson	291	15.5×	Collision Avoidance
2023 Cadillac Escalade	143	15.1×	Engine
2016 Hyundai Tucson	1,625	14.3×	Transmission
2026 GMC Sierra 1500	143	14.3×	Engine
2023 GMC Yukon XL	225	14.2×	Engine
2023 GMC Sierra 1500	492	14.0×	Engine
2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV	90	14.0×	Engine
2022 GMC Sierra 1500	597	13.7×	Engine
2025 Toyota Sienna Hybrid	267	13.5×	Seat
2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV	74	12.8×	Engine
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander	217	12.7×	Body
2017 Audi Q7	320	12.2×	Headlight
2018 Ram 2500	2,606	12.0×	Brake
2020 Acura RDX	348	11.0×	Window & Wiper

All model years to avoid

Model year	Complaints	vs. typical year	Main problem
2000 BMW 323i	401	81.7×	Transmission
2006 BMW 330i	219	68.5×	Airbag
2026 Toyota Camry Hybrid	144	39.0×	Fuel System
2006 BMW 325xi	110	37.5×	Airbag
2004 BMW 330i	113	30.5×	Headlight
2001 BMW 330i	116	30.0×	Airbag
2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic	116	28.5×	Electrical
2006 Chrysler 300C	698	28.4×	Fuel System
1999 BMW 323i	136	27.3×	Airbag
2004 Mazda RX-8	490	27.3×	Transmission
2023 Lexus RX	62	27.0×	Transmission
2024 Lexus RX	59	27.0×	Electrical
2002 Subaru WRX	427	25.8×	Fuel System
2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid	370	25.7×	Brake
2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid	172	25.6×	Body
2000 Volvo S80	318	25.5×	Acceleration
2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic	92	24.5×	Electrical
2024 GMC Canyon	207	22.9×	Headlight
2006 BMW 325i	515	22.4×	Airbag
2004 Nissan Titan	1,046	22.2×	Transmission
2017 BMW 330i	42	21.5×	Engine
2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid	602	19.6×	Brake
2024 GMC Sierra 1500	371	18.8×	Engine
2005 Nissan Titan	891	18.7×	Transmission
2021 Lexus RX	70	17.8×	Airbag
2023 Honda HR-V	687	17.1×	Window & Wiper
2019 Acura RDX	440	16.5×	Window & Wiper
2003 BMW Z4	414	16.3×	Steering
2004 BMW Z4	411	16.2×	Steering
2023 Acura Integra	208	16.0×	Steering
2003 Toyota Sequoia	565	15.5×	Traction Control
2025 Hyundai Tucson	291	15.5×	Collision Avoidance
2023 Cadillac Escalade	143	15.1×	Engine
1999 Volvo S80	199	15.0×	Acceleration
2016 Hyundai Tucson	1,625	14.3×	Transmission
2001 Volvo S80	164	14.3×	Acceleration
2026 GMC Sierra 1500	143	14.3×	Engine
2023 GMC Yukon XL	225	14.2×	Engine
2023 GMC Sierra 1500	492	14.0×	Engine
2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV	90	14.0×	Engine
2022 GMC Sierra 1500	597	13.7×	Engine
2025 Toyota Sienna Hybrid	267	13.5×	Seat
2002 Toyota Sequoia	666	13.3×	Traction Control
2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser	593	12.8×	Body
2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV	74	12.8×	Engine
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander	217	12.7×	Body
2005 Nissan Xterra	845	12.7×	Transmission
2008 Ford F-450 SD	68	12.4×	Engine
2017 Audi Q7	320	12.2×	Headlight
2018 Ram 2500	2,606	12.0×	Brake
2004 Volvo XC90	462	11.9×	Electrical
1999 Ford F-450 SD	66	11.8×	Transmission
2006 Nissan Xterra	780	11.6×	Fuel System
2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid	197	11.5×	Brake
2015 Acura RDX	415	11.3×	Headlight
2020 Acura RDX	348	11.0×	Window & Wiper
2024 GMC Sierra 2500	106	10.9×	Electrical
2011 Hyundai Sonata	3,378	10.7×	Steering
2006 Lexus RX Hybrid	154	10.6×	Brake
2010 Toyota Prius	2,823	10.6×	Brake
2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV	57	10.6×	Engine
2024 BMW X5	145	10.6×	Brake
2004 Nissan Maxima	1,426	10.4×	Transmission
2016 Honda Pilot	1,716	10.3×	Engine
2017 Hyundai Tucson	1,092	10.1×	Engine
2008 Toyota Yaris	247	10.1×	Airbag
2001 Toyota Sequoia	531	9.8×	Brake
2007 Toyota Yaris	296	9.8×	Airbag
2022 GMC Yukon XL	173	9.7×	Engine
2021 GMC Sierra 1500	594	9.6×	Engine
2022 Hyundai Tucson	386	9.6×	Fuel System
2006 Nissan Titan	430	9.5×	Transmission
2019 Subaru Forester	834	9.5×	Window & Wiper
2019 Ford F-250 SD	1,165	9.4×	Steering
2004 Toyota Sequoia	380	9.3×	Traction Control
2006 Cadillac DTS	255	9.3×	Headlight
2005 Toyota Sequoia	352	9.2×	Traction Control
2004 Mercury Monterey	283	9.2×	Transmission
2004 Nissan Armada	464	9.0×	Brake
1999 Chevrolet Silverado	1,660	8.9×	Brake
2004 Toyota Sienna	2,062	8.9×	Body
2021 GMC Yukon XL	229	8.9×	Engine
2005 Mazda RX-8	162	8.8×	Transmission
2015 GMC Canyon	303	8.6×	Steering
2026 Honda CR-V	167	8.6×	Collision Avoidance
2017 Honda Ridgeline	345	8.6×	Engine
2017 Ford F-250 SD	1,155	8.5×	Steering
2006 Cadillac STS	139	8.5×	Airbag
2024 GMC Sierra 3500	50	8.4×	Electrical
2007 Nissan Xterra	557	8.4×	Transmission
2019 Subaru Outback	1,036	8.4×	Window & Wiper
2003 Hyundai Tiburon	328	8.3×	Transmission
2024 Toyota Tundra	346	8.3×	Engine
2005 Chrysler 300C	288	8.3×	Fuel System
2019 GMC Sierra 1500	658	8.2×	Engine
1998 Volvo V70	187	8.2×	Brake
2005 Nissan Pathfinder	1,050	8.2×	Transmission
2020 Subaru Outback	901	8.1×	Window & Wiper
2021 Tesla Model Y	1,091	8.1×	Collision Avoidance
2001 Volvo V70	221	8.1×	Acceleration
2008 BMW 5 Series	105	8.1×	Fuel System
2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid	110	8.0×	Brake
2015 GMC Yukon XL	308	7.9×	Headlight
2016 GMC Canyon	271	7.9×	Steering
1996 Dodge Caravan	1,403	7.8×	Airbag
2009 Nissan 370Z	153	7.8×	Steering
2004 Nissan Quest	445	7.8×	Electrical
2007 Dodge Nitro	825	7.7×	Electrical
2013 Nissan Pathfinder	890	7.7×	Transmission
2020 Lexus RX	47	7.7×	Airbag
2018 Jeep Compass	946	7.7×	Engine
2000 Ford F-550 SD	72	7.6×	Wheel & Tire
2008 Smart fortwo	160	7.6×	Engine
2000 Ford F-450 SD	43	7.6×	Wheel & Tire
2005 Nissan Armada	373	7.6×	Brake
2026 Chevrolet Equinox	74	7.6×	Collision Avoidance
2007 Toyota Prius	2,003	7.5×	Headlight
2006 Nissan Frontier	617	7.5×	Fuel System
2018 Subaru Crosstrek	195	7.5×	Window & Wiper
2025 Chevrolet Traverse	185	7.5×	Brake
2005 BMW Z4	191	7.4×	Steering
2023 Toyota Tundra	411	7.4×	Engine
2020 Subaru Forester	603	7.4×	Window & Wiper
2001 Audi TT	120	7.4×	Electrical
2005 Mini Cooper	468	7.4×	Steering
2025 Acura MDX	111	7.3×	Engine
2003 BMW 325i	199	7.3×	Airbag
2024 GMC Yukon XL	73	7.3×	Engine
2025 Chevrolet Equinox	236	7.2×	Electrical
2006 BMW 3 Series	202	7.2×	Airbag
2003 Hummer H2	141	7.2×	Window & Wiper
2020 GMC Sierra 1500	481	7.1×	Engine
2003 Mitsubishi Lancer	199	7.1×	Transmission
2013 Kia Optima	1,386	7.1×	Engine
1999 Ford F-550 SD	61	7.1×	Transmission
2008 Scion xB	339	7.0×	Airbag
1999 Volvo V70	169	7.0×	Acceleration
2005 Nissan Murano	987	7.0×	Seat
2009 Toyota Corolla	1,459	6.9×	Airbag
2004 Volkswagen Touareg	231	6.9×	Transmission
2024 Chevrolet Trax	180	6.9×	Electrical
2000 Chevrolet Silverado	1,305	6.8×	Brake
2026 Tesla Model Y	411	6.8×	Collision Avoidance
2019 Honda Passport	282	6.8×	Electrical
2022 Ford Bronco	383	6.8×	Window & Wiper
2007 BMW 328xi	198	6.8×	Electrical
2018 Honda CR-V	2,160	6.7×	Fuel System
2023 Nissan Rogue	744	6.7×	Engine
2022 Toyota Tundra	431	6.7×	Engine
2023 Kia Sportage	193	6.7×	Electrical

Popular models only (300+ complaints across all years). "vs. typical year" compares the year with the median year of the same model at the same age.

Frequently asked questions

How do you decide which years to avoid?

We compare each model year with the other years of the same model at the same age — for example, complaints filed in the first five years on the road. Years with at least twice the typical number of complaints are flagged "avoid"; 1.4× or more is "use caution". Full methodology.

Does a high complaint count mean the car is unsafe?

Not necessarily. Complaints are unverified reports, and a popular car gets more of them simply because there are more on the road — which is why we compare a model only with itself. Use the ratings to know what to check, then get a pre-purchase inspection.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.