Owner complaint databases offer a window into which vehicles leave drivers frustrated long after the sale. This roundup covers four models each from Chrysler, Mazda and Mitsubishi, spanning family minivans, compact crossovers and sporty coupes. Here are twelve models, grouped by brand and ordered by the number of complaints on file.
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1. Chrysler Town & Country: Minivan Complaint Leader
The Town & Country tops its brand’s list, since CarComplaints.com’s Chrysler page shows 2,044 complaints on file for it, the most of any Chrysler model. Chrysler used the nameplate on its flagship family hauler for many years, and a long production run gives owners plenty of time to file reports.
A minivan is often the busiest vehicle in a household, hauling children, cargo and groceries daily, so mechanical trouble tends to be noticed quickly. Buyers weighing a used example are best served by checking service history, reading owner reports for the specific model year, and comparing any asking price against likely repair costs before committing.
2. Chrysler Sebring: Oil Sludge Trouble
Sporting 1,549 entries, the Sebring ranks second among Chrysler models, according to its Chrysler complaint listing. The same page notes that the 2002 model’s oil-sludge engine failure averages $4,000 at 94,000 miles.
Sludge forms when engine oil breaks down and thickens, starving moving parts of lubrication, which is why regular oil changes matter so much on older engines. The Sebring was a midsize sedan that also came as a convertible, and it later gave way to the Chrysler 200. Shoppers considering an older one should ask for maintenance records.
3. Chrysler 200: Stalling Reports
Third on the Chrysler list, the 200 has 1,273 complaints on file at CarComplaints.com’s Chrysler listing. For 2015 models, stalling averaged $1,100 at 35,000 miles, a relatively low mileage for a problem of that kind.
The 200 was a midsize sedan positioned as the successor to the Sebring, and it has since left Chrysler’s lineup. Stalling can be unnerving because it may occur at speed or in traffic, when power assistance and engine response are most needed. Owners who notice hesitation are generally advised to have it diagnosed promptly rather than wait.
4. Chrysler PT Cruiser: Retro Wagon Wear
Rounding out Chrysler’s four, the PT Cruiser has 846 complaints on file, based on its Chrysler complaint table. That figure sits well below the brand’s leaders but still reflects a sizable pool of unhappy owners.
The PT Cruiser stood out for its retro styling, tall roofline and flexible cargo space, which gave it a loyal following that still shows up at car meets today. Its distinctive look meant it was easy to spot on the road, and used examples remain a budget-friendly way to own an unusual hatchback if the maintenance history is solid.
5. Mazda Mazda3: Clutch Costs
Mazda’s list opens with the Mazda3, which carries 645 complaints on file per CarComplaints.com’s Mazda page. A failed clutch on the 2010 model averaged $1,200 at 39,000 miles, according to the page.
The Mazda3 is a compact car sold as a sedan and a hatchback, long popular with drivers who like a sportier feel than many rivals offer. Manual transmissions put extra attention on the clutch, a wear item whose life depends heavily on driving habits. Buyers of used examples can ask whether the clutch has already been replaced.
6. Mazda CX-5: Crossover Favorite
With 581 complaints on file, the CX-5 is Mazda’s second-most-reported model at its Mazda complaint listing. The page names the 2016, 2019, 2018 and 2015 models among the brand’s worst.
A compact crossover, the CX-5 sits at the center of Mazda’s showroom and competes against some of the most popular vehicles in its class. Popularity cuts both ways for complaint tallies, since a widely sold model naturally generates more owner reports. Shoppers can use the named model years as a prompt to ask sellers pointed questions.
7. Mazda CX-9: Three-Row Crossover
Listed third for Mazda, the CX-9 has 337 complaints on file, based on CarComplaints.com’s Mazda listing. Unlike several models in this roundup, the entry carries no single headline repair cost, only the overall count.
The CX-9 is a three-row crossover aimed at families that need more seating than a compact SUV provides, with a driving feel Mazda has pitched as more engaging than most rivals. Larger vehicles like this often rack up heavy mileage on school runs and road trips, so reading owner reports before buying used is worthwhile.
8. Mazda Mazda6: Midsize Sedan Tally
The Mazda6 closes out Mazda’s group with 321 complaints on file at its Mazda complaint table. That is roughly half the count recorded for the Mazda3, the brand’s compact car.
A midsize sedan, the Mazda6 has been known for sharper handling than many competitors and for a more upscale cabin than its price suggested. Sedans in this segment have lost ground to crossovers in recent years, which means used examples can offer good value. A pre-purchase inspection remains the best protection for any buyer.
9. Mitsubishi Outlander: Crossover With Named Years
Heading Mitsubishi’s group, the Outlander has 161 complaints on file according to CarComplaints.com’s Mitsubishi page. The page lists the 2014 and 2018 models among the brand’s worst.
A compact crossover, the Outlander has long been one of Mitsubishi’s core products, and some markets have also offered it with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Because Mitsubishi is a smaller player in the United States than Chrysler or Mazda, its raw complaint totals run lower. Buyers can still use the flagged model years as a starting point for research.
10. Mitsubishi Lancer: Compact Sedan Count
Second for Mitsubishi, the Lancer carries 91 complaints on file, as its Mitsubishi complaint listing records. The number is modest next to Chrysler’s leaders, which reflects both the brand’s size and the model’s sales.
The Lancer was a compact sedan best known to enthusiasts through its high-performance Evolution variants, even though most buyers chose the everyday versions. Compact sedans of its era were often sold as affordable commuters, and many remain on the road today. Anyone shopping for one should look closely at upkeep.
11. Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: Small Crossover Report
The Outlander Sport has 87 complaints on file at CarComplaints.com’s Mitsubishi table, which places it third among Mitsubishi’s four. The page also counts the 2015 model among the brand’s worst.
Smaller than the regular Outlander, this crossover targets buyers who want a higher seating position and extra cargo room without a large vehicle’s price. In Canada it has been marketed as the RVR, a reminder that automakers often rename models by region. Used shoppers can compare the flagged year against neighboring model years before deciding.
12. Mitsubishi Eclipse: Coupe Transmission Woes
Completing the roundup, the Eclipse has 83 complaints on file per its Mitsubishi complaint listing. A 2001 transmission failure averaged $2,200 at 82,000 miles, according to the page.
The Eclipse was a sporty coupe that built a following among younger buyers and tuner enthusiasts, and Mitsubishi later revived the name on a crossover. A transmission repair is among the costlier jobs an owner can face, which is why service records matter on any older used car. Mileage in the page’s figure suggests the failure arrived late in the car’s typical life.
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