Buying guide · updated 2026-10-30
The used car to avoid most is the 2023 GMC Yukon (0/100): it has the most owner complaints per car sold of any model year we rate, relative to similar cars. The 2017 Ford Escape and the 2016 Ford Focus are next.
Full-size suvs. Typical price about $44,749; repairs about $16,807 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 4 recalls.
Compact and small suvs. Typical price about $12,031; repairs about $8,274 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 4 recalls.
Compact cars. Typical price about $7,563; repairs about $6,131 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: transmission & drivetrain. 10 recalls.
Minivans. Typical price about $12,103; repairs about $9,550 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 11 recalls.
Midsize sedans. Typical price about $7,611; repairs about $8,751 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 4 recalls.
Midsize pickups. Typical price about $25,936; repairs about $7,599 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: steering. 7 recalls.
Luxury cars and suvs. Typical price about $16,947; repairs about $12,879 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 5 recalls.
Compact and small suvs. Typical price about $14,581; repairs about $6,989 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 11 recalls.
Midsize sedans. Typical price about $7,769; repairs about $7,970 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 9 recalls.
Midsize suvs. Typical price about $16,923; repairs about $9,311 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 8 recalls.
Midsize suvs. Typical price about $15,596; repairs about $9,080 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 8 recalls.
Compact and small suvs. Typical price about $17,926; repairs about $6,603 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 16 recalls.
Half-ton pickups. Typical price about $37,993; repairs about $10,496 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 13 recalls.
Compact and small suvs. Typical price about $12,294; repairs about $6,691 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 6 recalls.
Luxury cars and suvs. Typical price about $10,812; repairs about $11,363 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 14 recalls.
Compact cars. Typical price about $9,982; repairs about $5,281 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 11 recalls.
Midsize sedans. Typical price about $9,453; repairs about $7,375 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 13 recalls.
Compact and small suvs. Typical price about $10,021; repairs about $5,939 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 5 recalls.
Compact and small suvs. Typical price about $10,486; repairs about $5,989 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 3 recalls.
Midsize suvs. Typical price about $21,823; repairs about $6,713 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 17 recalls.
| Class | Model year | Reliability | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact cars | 2016 Ford Focus | 0/100 | $7,563 |
| 2019 Volkswagen Jetta | 3/100 | $9,982 | |
| Midsize sedans | 2015 Kia Optima | 0/100 | $7,611 |
| 2015 Hyundai Sonata | 1/100 | $7,769 | |
| Compact SUVs | 2017 Ford Escape | 0/100 | $12,031 |
| 2019 Jeep Cherokee | 1/100 | $14,581 | |
| Midsize SUVs | 2016 Honda Pilot | 1/100 | $16,923 |
| 2017 Ford Edge | 1/100 | $15,596 | |
| Full-size SUVs | 2023 GMC Yukon | 0/100 | $44,749 |
| 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe | 10/100 | $39,379 | |
| Minivans | 2017 Chrysler Pacifica | 0/100 | $12,103 |
| 2018 Honda Odyssey | 6/100 | $16,480 | |
| Midsize pickups | 2020 Jeep Gladiator | 0/100 | $25,936 |
| 2016 GMC Canyon | 4/100 | $17,402 | |
| Full-size pickups | 2023 Toyota Tundra | 2/100 | $37,993 |
| 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 | 6/100 | $37,290 | |
| Luxury cars and SUVs | 2019 Acura RDX | 0/100 | $16,947 |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 2/100 | $10,812 |
This study ranks 669 model years by owner complaints filed with NHTSA per vehicle sold. You’re welcome to quote it with a link to this page. For the full data or a comment, email [email protected].
How we rank: each model year's reliability score (0–100) compares its owner complaints filed with NHTSA, per car sold, with similar cars from 2015–2024. Repair costs are our forecast for the next 5 years at 12,000 miles a year. Prices are our estimate of a typical used asking price today; mileage, trim and condition move the real price a lot. Cost to own adds the value the car loses, repairs and fuel at $3.40 a gallon. Model years with too little data for a confident rating are left out. Data through 2026-10-30.
The used car to avoid most is the 2023 GMC Yukon (0/100): it has the most owner complaints per car sold of any model year we rate, relative to similar cars. The 2017 Ford Escape and the 2016 Ford Focus are next.
No. It means owners of that model year filed more complaints per car sold than for similar cars. Many individual cars are fine; a pre-purchase inspection and the car's service history matter most.
Owner complaints and recalls from NHTSA, the US road-safety agency, divided by our estimates of sales. Data through 2026-10-30.