National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2016 Car Complaint Index

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) receives and aggregates complaints brought by consumers regarding problems with the motor vehicle.  This page provides a catalog of the vehicles that have been the subject of the most consumer complaints along with a description of the common issues that have plagued owners of these vehicles.  The NHTSA receives thousands of complaints from individuals who lease or own vehicles.  The “Complaint Index” provides a ratio that compares the quantity of vehicle sales and the number of complaints about that vehicle.  The index number indicates a relative index score rather than the actual number of complaints received.  The scale takes into account the number of years the model has been on the road as well as the sales volume of the vehicle.  The higher the index number, the greater the number of reported problems with the vehicle.

2016 Projected Car Complaint Index Ratings

While these are the Top 20 most complained about vehicles according to the Complaint Index Ratings, we have provided a list of specific complaints involving a range of vehicles from a few different manufacturers.

Fiat

• Fiat 500 Lounge/Fiat 500 Pop: Vehicle leaks fluids (anti-freeze, water, or coolant)
• Fiat 500 Sport/Fait 500 Pop: Engine fails to start
• Fiat 500c: Total power failure to dashboard disabling speedometer as well as temperature and fuel gauges
• Multiple Fiat 500 Models: Stalling, jumping, popping of transmission
• Fiat Sport/Some Fiat 500 Models: Paint chipping off or bubbling up
• Fiat Sport/Other Fiat 500 Models: Malfunctioning dash lights (e.g. check engine or airbag light)

Ford

• Ford F-Series/Ford Flex/Ford Focus: Vibration in the transmission, axles or steering column
• Ford Fiesta/Ford Explorer/Ford Mustang/Ford F-Series Truck/Ford Escape/Ford Focus: Vehicle doesn’t start because of power loss.
• Ford E-Series: Problems with tire alignment
• Flex/Focus/Ford Edge/Ford Explorer: MyFord Touch sync system issues
• Ford Explorer/Ford Mustang/Ford Fiesta/Ford Escape/Ford F-Series Truck/Ford Explorer: Fluid leaks (e.g. oil, fuel, coolant, and water)
• Ford F-Series Truck/Ford Focus/Ford Escape/Ford Fiesta: Transmission malfunctions (e.g. lurching, jumping, and lunging)

Jeep

• Jeep Liberty/Jeep Compass/Jeep Wrangler/Jeep Cherokee/Jeep Grand Cherokee: Motor stalling of failing to start
• Jeep Patrol/Jeep Compass/Jeep Grand Cherokee/Jeep Liberty/Jeep Wrangler/Jeep Patriot: Dashboard warning remains activated
• Jeep Patriot/Jeep Compass/Jeep Wrangler/Jeep Liberty: Vibration when braking or traveling at high rates of speed (e.g. “death wobble”)
• Jeep Cherokee/Jeep Grand Cherokee: Issues with transmission
• Jeep Patriot/Jeep Compass/Jeep Commander/Jeep Wrangler/Jeep Liberty/Jeep Grand Cherokee: Water penetration into passenger compartment (e.g. vents, roof, doors, and windows)

Nissan

• Nissan Titan/Nissan Frontier/Nissan Juke, Nissan Cube, Nissan Maxima: Motor fails to start
• Nissan Murano/Nissan Rogue/Nissan Z/Nissan Altima/Nissan Sentra/Nissan Cube/Nissan Juke/Nissan Pathfinder: Transmission problems (e.g. autonomous shifting, hesitation, jerking, and leaking)
• Nissan Xterra/Nissan Nissan Pathfinder/Nissan Versa/Nissan Armada/Nissan Maxima: Heating and air conditioning issues
• Nissan Sentra/Nissan Armada/Nissan Z/Nissan NV/Nissan Frontier/Nissan Xterra/Nissan Maxima/Nissan Titan: Miscellaneous tire issues (e.g. misalignment, vibration, faulty sensor, and noise)
• Nissan Cube/Nissan Z/Nissan Altima/Nissan Murano/Nissan Pathfinder/Nissan Sentra/Nissan Frontier/Nissan Rogue: Warning lights stay on
• Nissan Leaf: Failure of electric vehicle to charge
• Nissan Xterra/Nissan Murano/Nissan Versa/Nissan Armada/Nissan Quest/Nissan NV: Problems with doors, sunroofs, windows, and trunks
• Nissan Pathfinder/Nissan Quest/Nissan Altima/Nissan Titan/Nissan/Nissan Frontier/Nissan Sentra/Nissan Juke/Nissan Murano: Leaking fluids (e.g. fuel (fuel tank issues), oil, water, and coolant)

Hyundai

• Hyundai Veloster/Hyundai Genesis/Hyundai Tucson/Hyundai Santa Fe/Hyundai Sonata: Warning lights are continuously on
• Hyundai Sonata/Hyundai Accent/Hyundai Santa Fe: Alignment problems
• Hyundai Veracruz/Hyundai Sonata/Hyundai Veloster/Hyundai Tucson: Failure of lights to turn on (e.g. trunk, headlamps, and tail lights)
• Hyundai Sonata/Hyundai Accent: Engines of push-to-start vehicles fail to turn on
• Hyundai Santa Fe/Hyundai Elantra: Fluid leaks (e.g. fuel, water, antifreeze, and oil)
• Hyundai Elantra: Marketing overstated MPG
• Hyundai Sonata/Hyundai Santa Fe: Steering column vibration
• Hyundai Tucson/Hyundai Entourage/Hyundai Santa Fe/Hyundai Equus: Rattling and looseness in the axle
• Hyundai Santa Fe/Hyundai Equus: Windshield cracking
• Hyundai Veloster/Hyundai Sonata: Sunroof cracking

These are just a few of the vehicle defects that have been reported for models of vehicles from several motor vehicle manufacturers.  Automakers like Dodge, Chrysler, Mercedes, Chevrolet, GMC, Subaru, and Volkswagen also have a similar list of vehicles with a range of reported problems. If you have taken your vehicle back to the manufacturer multiple times to have a problem listed above or other issues fixed or over a prolonged duration of time during the manufacturer warranty, you might have a right to legal compensation under your state’s lemon law or Federal Warranty Law.

Consult with a Lemon Law Attorney Today

If you want to find out if you qualify for a full refund, replacement vehicle, or a cash settlement, we welcome the chance to answer your questions and explain your rights.  Call Stern Law, PLLC at 844-808-7529 or submit a confidential lemon law inquiry form today.

Got a Lemon? – Speak to a Lawyer Today

We welcome the opportunity to discuss your situation and review your purchase agreement and repair order forms.  If you still have questions, you can contact us for answers about your unique circumstances.  Call Ken Stern at Stern Law, PLLC at 844-808-7529 or submit a confidential case inquiry form today.