Owner complaint files show where frustration piles up, and a handful of SUVs have accumulated mountains of them. CarComplaints.com tallies reports by model, along with the worst year or costliest failure where it has one. Here are eleven SUVs with large files, starting with the most heavily reported of the group.
Tech news worth reading: Get Techpresso, the daily email with the most interesting tech news and insights, read by 400,000+ professionals from Google, Apple and OpenAI.
We may earn a commission if you sign up.
1. Ford Explorer: Biggest File By Far
The Ford Explorer has 13,452 complaints on CarComplaints, more than double any other Ford, and the 2002 and 2004 model years rank among the brand’s worst.
A file that large partly reflects how many Explorers have been sold over the decades, so raw counts should not be read as a failure rate. Still, the gap to every other Ford is wide, and the two named years are the ones used-car shoppers should approach with the most caution.
2. Ford Escape: Compact Crossover Trouble
The Ford Escape carries 4,924 complaints on file, and the 2014 model year is listed as one of Ford’s five worst models on the site.
The Escape sold in large numbers, which inflates any complaint tally, yet a single year landing among the brand’s five worst is a pointed signal. Shoppers eyeing a used Escape should research that specific year closely and look at its service history before agreeing to a price.
3. Jeep Liberty: Discontinued But Not Forgotten
The Jeep Liberty logged 2,251 complaints on CarComplaints, the most of any discontinued Jeep.
The Liberty left showrooms years ago, so its file is closed to new model years, yet it still tops Jeep’s retired list. Anyone tempted by a cheap used example should treat the sizable complaint history as part of the price and budget for repairs accordingly. A vehicle history report and an independent mechanic’s opinion are cheap insurance against joining that statistic.
4. Chevrolet TrailBlazer: Transmission Troubles Cost Thousands
Complaints about the Chevrolet TrailBlazer reach 2,185 on the site, led by 2002 transmission failures averaging $2,200 at 100,000 miles.
A transmission bill of that size on an older, inexpensive SUV can easily exceed what the vehicle is worth. The mileage is high enough that some owners may consider it normal wear, but the cost still makes a worn example a risky purchase without a thorough inspection. Checking whether the transmission has been serviced or replaced is the most useful single step before buying one.
5. Chevrolet Suburban: Big Hauler, Mid-Sized File
The Chevrolet Suburban has 1,270 complaints on file at CarComplaints.
Compared with the Explorer or Escape, the Suburban’s tally is modest, especially for a model that has been sold for so long and in such volume. It earns its place on this list through sheer size of record and not any single dominant failure highlighted by the site. Prospective owners can use the file as a checklist of what to ask a seller, rather than as a reason to rule it out automatically.
6. Kia Sorento: Engine Failures At Mid Mileage
The Kia Sorento has 1,236 complaints, and its worst year, 2016, brings engine failures averaging $7,300 to fix at 94,000 miles.
An engine repair at that price can approach or exceed the value of an aging SUV, making the 2016 model year the one to scrutinize. Buyers considering other years face a smaller file, but should still check recall work and service records before committing to any used example. Owners of other years should still confirm that any engine recalls or warranty extensions were handled before the car changed hands.
7. Jeep Patriot: Compact Jeep, Sizable File
The Jeep Patriot has 873 complaints on CarComplaints.
The Patriot was an affordable compact, and a file in the high hundreds is substantial for a model of its era. Low purchase prices on the used market can make it tempting, which is exactly why a prospective owner should read the complaint history before treating it as a bargain. A thorough test drive, with attention to how the vehicle shifts, idles and handles, can reveal many of the issues owners describe.
8. Chevrolet Traverse: Three-Row Crossover Concerns
The Chevrolet Traverse has drawn 762 complaints on file at the site.
Family-oriented three-row crossovers are driven hard, so some wear is expected, but a few hundred reports still deserve a look. Shoppers should compare model years and ask for service records, particularly when the Traverse is priced well below similar alternatives. Reading the site’s year-by-year breakdown takes only a few minutes and can steer a shopper toward the better model years.
9. Jeep Renegade: Small Crossover With Many Reports
The Jeep Renegade has 752 complaints on CarComplaints.
The Renegade is a newer and smaller nameplate than most entries here, so reaching this count is notable. Its file suggests that fresher design does not guarantee a cleaner record, and cautious buyers can use the complaint list to focus a pre-purchase inspection. None of this makes the vehicle undriveable, only a reminder that research pays off more here than with a typical used purchase.
10. Chevrolet Blazer: Crossover Revival, Familiar Complaints
The Chevrolet Blazer crossover shows 651 complaints on file.
The name is old but this Blazer is a modern crossover, and its record is still building. A count in the mid hundreds already gives shoppers something to examine, and the number may rise as more owners reach the mileage where problems usually appear. Counts like these depend on sales volume and age, so the best use is comparing specific years and failures instead of whole models.
11. Jeep Compass: Smallest File, Still Substantial
The Jeep Compass closes the group with 540 complaints on CarComplaints.
Even the smallest file here is large enough to merit attention before buying. Together with the Patriot and Renegade, it shows how many of the compact Jeeps on this list have built up sizable records, which is worth weighing against their appealing used prices. Complaint files are self-reported, but a large and consistent set of reports usually points to real patterns worth taking seriously.
Tech news worth reading: Get Techpresso →
We may earn a commission if you sign up.
More from Morning Overview
- The FBI told the rest of ShinyHunters to surrender after a 24-year-old was arrested
- Two passengers died at an Ohio toll plaza, and the NTSB now wants the cash lanes shut
- Long use of a common prostate pill is tied to a higher chance of glaucoma
- Ford is recalling 223,472 F-150 pickups because the fuel tank can leak or detach
