GarageCalc 
See the full 2026 study for the fastest-rising models, brand trends and methodology, or download the full per-model table as CSV (every model in this search, CC BY 4.0).
How to read a result
- 2026 count is complaints received so far this year (through Aug 24).
- vs 2025 compares the identical window last year. Shown only when last year had enough complaints to make a percentage meaningful.
- Top areas are NHTSA's own component categories, most-complained first. This is where to focus a used-car inspection.
- By model year shows which years drive the count. A cluster on one recent year often points to a specific defect or recall.
Frequently asked questions
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is from NHTSA's public vehicle complaint database (ODI), covering all 49,801 complaints Americans filed in 2026 through August 24, compared against the same window in 2025. Complaints are counted once each (by complaint ID) and limited to vehicles.
Does a high number mean the car is bad?
Not on its own. Raw complaint counts track how many of a model are on the road as much as they track quality, so popular cars naturally show more. The more telling figure is the year-over-year change: a big jump means the per-vehicle complaint rate genuinely moved. Use the counts as a starting point, not a verdict, and always check the specific complaints and any open recalls for your exact car.
Why is my exact trim or engine not listed?
NHTSA records make, model and model year but not trim level, and it only sometimes separates hybrid or EV versions. So a search for "CR-V" covers all CR-Vs, gas and hybrid, of that name. Where NHTSA does tag a variant (like "Ioniq 5 N"), it appears as its own entry.
Is this every car sold in the US?
It is every model that received at least a few complaints in the 2025-2026 window, which is the vast majority of what is on American roads. Very rare or brand-new models with almost no complaints yet may not appear, that absence is usually good news.
NHTSA complaints are one input, not a full reliability verdict: they reflect what owners chose to report, not a controlled survey. Cross-check anything important against your vehicle's recall history and a pre-purchase inspection.