Owner complaint databases make it easy to see which automakers generate the most paperwork from unhappy drivers. The tallies below come from brand pages on CarComplaints, each paired with the single model that draws the most reports. Here are twelve brands, ordered from the largest pile to the smallest.
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1. Ford: Explorer Leads the Pile
With 49,687 complaints on file, Ford tops the brand ranking in the CarComplaints Ford listing, and the Explorer alone accounts for 13,452 of them. That single model’s total is larger than the entire complaint count for several other brands in this gallery.
Raw counts partly reflect how many Fords have been sold and driven over the years, so a big total is not a verdict on every model. Shoppers considering an Explorer can narrow the list by model year, then check open recalls by VIN at NHTSA before buying.
2. Chevrolet: Impala Heads the List
Chevrolet logs 34,261 complaints on CarComplaints, second only to Ford, with the Impala drawing 4,812 as the brand’s most-complained model, according to the Chevrolet complaint page. The leading Chevy model sits well below the Explorer’s pile, so the total comes from breadth.
Because the count spreads across many nameplates, a buyer is better served by researching the specific model and year than by judging the badge as a whole. Service records and a pre-purchase inspection help on any used Chevrolet.
3. Honda: Accord Carries the Weight
Honda sits third with 30,815 complaints, and the Accord accounts for 12,906 of them, per the Honda complaint listing. That makes the Accord responsible for roughly two in every five Honda complaints.
Concentration like that points buyers toward model-year detail. Anyone shopping for a used Accord can read the complaint breakdown by year, ask for maintenance records, and run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup before paying. Complaint volume is only one signal, but it is a useful starting point for comparison shopping.
4. Dodge: Ram 1500 Dominates
Dodge carries 26,352 complaints, and the Ram 1500 leads that total with 6,308, based on the Dodge brand page. Fourth place overall puts the brand ahead of Nissan, Jeep and every other automaker lower in this ranking.
Pickup shoppers weighing a used Ram 1500 can look up complaints by model year, check whether recall work was completed, and test-drive for the symptoms owners describe before agreeing to a price. Maintenance records are worth requesting too.
5. Nissan: Altima Tops Nissan
Nissan has 17,809 complaints on CarComplaints, with the Altima named most-complained at 5,369, as shown on the Nissan complaint page. The Altima thus supplies about three in ten of the brand’s total.
A sedan with that much paperwork warrants a careful look at individual model years. Used-car buyers can ask for service records, confirm recall status by VIN, and have an independent mechanic inspect the drivetrain before signing anything. Comparing a few model years side by side usually makes the pattern clearer than the brand total alone.
6. Jeep: Grand Cherokee Leads
Jeep shows 12,759 complaints, led by about 3,520 on the Grand Cherokee. The Jeep complaint listing shows 3,522 in one capture and 3,523 in another, so the model figure is approximate.
The counts shift slightly as owners file new reports, which is normal for a live database. For a used Grand Cherokee, the more useful step is checking that model year’s complaint breakdown and recall history, then asking for service records before buying.
7. Chrysler: Town & Country Leads
Chrysler records 8,544 complaints, and the Town & Country accounts for 2,044 of them, based on the Chrysler brand page. That is roughly one complaint in four for a single model.
A concentration this high makes model-year research worthwhile. A buyer eyeing a used Town & Country should review the complaint breakdown for that exact year, ask for service records, and check VIN recall status at NHTSA before making an offer.
8. GMC: Sierra 1500 Stands Out
GMC has 5,101 complaints on file, led by 1,418 on the Sierra 1500, according to the GMC complaint page. The pickup represents a bit more than a quarter of the brand’s total.
Truck buyers evaluating a used Sierra 1500 can check the model-year breakdown, request maintenance records, and confirm recall completion by VIN. A longer test drive that includes highway speeds can help reveal problems early. Complaint volume alone is not proof of failure rates, but it is a useful starting point for questions.
9. Volkswagen: Jetta Draws Most
Volkswagen logs 4,731 complaints, with the Jetta leading at 1,402, per the Volkswagen brand listing. The compact sedan therefore accounts for nearly three in ten reports for the brand.
Smaller totals make Volkswagen look tidy next to Ford or Chevrolet, but a concentrated model count still matters to Jetta shoppers. Reviewing complaints by model year, asking for service records, and checking recall status by VIN are sensible first steps. Taking an hour to read the complaint threads for the target year is time well spent.
10. Kia: Sorento in Front
Kia has 4,367 complaints on CarComplaints, led by 1,236 on the Sorento, as listed on the Kia complaint page. That puts the Sorento at a little over a quarter of the brand’s tally.
Anyone shopping a used Sorento can read through the complaint themes for the year in question, ask the seller for service history, and verify recall work through NHTSA using the VIN. A test drive on varied roads is a useful final check.
11. Subaru: Outback Leads the Way
Subaru has 3,948 complaints, and the Outback accounts for 1,586, the Subaru complaint page shows. That is about 40 percent of the brand’s total on one model.
A model with that concentration deserves a look at its worst years before purchase. Buyers can compare model-year complaint counts, ask for service records, and run a VIN recall check, then arrange an independent inspection for any used Outback. Complaint pages are owner-reported, so they work best as a checklist of things to ask about.
12. Buick: LeSabre Heads Buick
Buick closes out the ranking with 3,590 complaints, and the LeSabre leads at 675, according to the Buick brand page. The LeSabre’s share is just under one in five.
The smaller total reflects a smaller pile of filed reports, not a clean bill of health. Shoppers considering an older LeSabre can ask for maintenance records, check VIN recalls with NHTSA, and arrange an independent inspection before buying. Owner-reported data works best as a list of questions to bring to the seller.
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