How do you determine which car years to avoid?

We use NHTSA recall campaigns, owner complaint counts, reported injuries, and reported deaths for each model year. Years with disproportionately high scores on these metrics — relative to other years of the same model — are flagged as years to avoid.

Which car model years have the most problems?

Problem years vary by model. Generally, first-generation and freshly redesigned model years tend to have more problems as manufacturers work out production issues. Our database covers 100+ vehicles with year-by-year rankings based on NHTSA data.

What is the best year to buy a used car?

The best year to buy depends on the specific make and model. In general, buying a model year that is 2-4 years old offers the best balance of depreciation savings and reliability. Use our years-to-avoid rankings to identify the safest years for your target vehicle.

YEARS TO AVOID

Car Years to Avoid — Best & Worst Model Years

Avoid costly mistakes when buying used. Our year-by-year rankings are built from NHTSA recall campaigns, owner complaints, reported injuries, and deaths — not opinions. Select a make to see which years to avoid.

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Models Ranked

Makes Covered

Model Years Analyzed

Ford — Years to Avoid

Chevrolet — Years to Avoid

Toyota — Years to Avoid

Honda — Years to Avoid

Accord Civic Fit Insight CR-V Pilot Passport HR-V Element Odyssey Ridgeline S2000 Prologue Prelude Del Sol

Nissan — Years to Avoid

Altima Sentra Maxima Versa Rogue Pathfinder Murano Armada Xterra Juke Kicks Frontier Titan Leaf 370Z 350Z GT-R Quest 240SX 300ZX Cube 200SX Stanza NV200 NV

Jeep — Years to Avoid

Grand Cherokee Wrangler Cherokee Compass Renegade Gladiator Grand Wagoneer Liberty Patriot Commander Wagoneer Grand Cherokee 4xe

Ram — Years to Avoid

1500 2500 3500 ProMaster ProMaster City

GMC — Years to Avoid

Sierra 1500 Sierra 2500 HD Canyon Hummer EV Yukon Yukon XL Terrain Acadia Envoy Jimmy Sonoma Safari Savana Sierra 3500

Dodge — Years to Avoid

Charger Challenger Viper Durango Journey Nitro Grand Caravan Avenger Ram 1500 Spirit Dynasty Shadow Stealth Neon Caliber Dakota Intrepid Stratus Caravan Dart Magnum Hornet Ram Van

Subaru — Years to Avoid

Outback Forester Crosstrek Ascent Impreza Legacy WRX BRZ Solterra SVX Baja Tribeca

Hyundai — Years to Avoid

Elantra Sonata Accent Veloster Tucson Santa Fe Kona Palisade Venue Ioniq IONIQ 5 IONIQ 6 Tiburon Azera Veracruz Entourage Excel XG350 Genesis Coupe Genesis Sedan Santa Fe Sport Nexo

Kia — Years to Avoid

Sorento Sportage Telluride Soul Niro EV6 Optima Forte K5 Stinger Sedona Carnival Sephia Spectra Rondo Amanti Borrego Rio Cadenza Seltos K5 EV6 EV9

BMW — Years to Avoid

3 Series 5 Series 7 Series X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 X6 X7 M3 M4 M5 Z4 i3 i4 1 Series 2 Series 6 Series 8 Series M2 M6 M8 iX i7

Mercedes-Benz — Years to Avoid

C-Class E-Class S-Class CLA A-Class GLC GLE GLS GLA GLB G-Class SL SLK AMG GT ML-Class GLK-Class GL-Class Maybach S-Class Maybach GLS EQS EQB

Volkswagen — Years to Avoid

Jetta Golf Passat Beetle Tiguan Atlas Touareg ID.4 CC Routan EOS Cabrio Rabbit EuroVan Golf R ID.3 GTI Taos Atlas Cross Sport

Audi — Years to Avoid

A3 A4 A6 A8 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q8 TT R8 S4 S5 e-tron A5 A7 Q4 A4 Allroad S6 S8 RS3 RS5 RS7 SQ5 SQ7 E-Tron GT

Lexus — Years to Avoid

ES IS LS GS RX NX GX LX UX LC RC TX SC

Mazda — Years to Avoid

Mazda3 Mazda6 CX-3 CX-5 CX-30 CX-50 CX-9 CX-90 MX-5 Miata RX-8 626 Tribute Protege CX-7 MPV B-Series Mazda5 Millenia Navajo

Buick — Years to Avoid

Enclave Encore Envision LaCrosse Rendezvous Envista LeSabre Regal Century Park Avenue Lucerne Skylark Riviera Roadmaster Rainier Terraza Encore GX Cascada Verano Electra

Cadillac — Years to Avoid

Escalade XT5 XT4 CT5 CT4 CTS ATS SRX DTS Lyriq DeVille Seville Catera Eldorado STS Escalade ESV XTS XT6 CT6 Fleetwood Allante Brougham

Acura — Years to Avoid

MDX RDX TLX TL TSX ILX Integra RLX NSX CL RL Legend RSX ZDX

Infiniti — Years to Avoid

QX60 QX50 QX80 Q50 Q60 FX G37 G35 QX56 FX35 M35 I30 QX4 Q45 G20 EX35 JX35 J30 Q70

Volvo — Years to Avoid

XC90 XC60 XC40 S60 S80 V60 V90 C40 850 S40 S70 V40 V50 C30 C70 XC70

Tesla — Years to Avoid

Model 3 Model Y Model S Model X Cybertruck

Mitsubishi — Years to Avoid

Outlander Eclipse Cross Galant Lancer Montero Raider Eclipse Spyder 3000GT Diamante Montero Sport Endeavor Mighty Max

Chrysler — Years to Avoid

300 Pacifica Town & Country Sebring 200 Concorde LHS Cirrus New Yorker 300M LeBaron Crossfire Aspen PT Cruiser Imperial Fifth Avenue

Daewoo — Years to Avoid

Lanos Leganza Nubira

Fisker — Years to Avoid

Ocean Karma

Polestar — Years to Avoid

Polestar 2 Polestar 3

Rivian — Years to Avoid

R1T R1S

Lucid — Years to Avoid

Air

Pontiac — Years to Avoid

Grand Prix Vibe G6 G8 Aztek Solstice Grand Am Bonneville Sunfire Montana Trans Sport Firebird Torrent G5 G3

Saturn — Years to Avoid

Vue Ion Aura Outlook SL SC SW Sky Relay Astra LS

Porsche — Years to Avoid

356 912 914 924 911 930 928 944 968 Boxster 718 Boxster Cayman 718 Cayman Carrera GT 918 Spyder Cayenne Cayenne Coupe Macan Macan EV Panamera Taycan Taycan Cross Turismo

Jaguar — Years to Avoid

XJ XF XE F-PACE E-PACE F-TYPE I-PACE S-Type X-Type

Maserati — Years to Avoid

Ghibli Levante Quattroporte Grecale GranTurismo GranCabrio

Rolls-Royce — Years to Avoid

Phantom Ghost Wraith Dawn Cullinan Spectre

Bentley — Years to Avoid

Continental GT Flying Spur Bentayga Mulsanne Arnage

Ferrari — Years to Avoid

360 Modena F430 458 Italia 488 GTB F8 Tributo Roma Portofino California SF90 Stradale 296 GTB Purosangue

Aston Martin — Years to Avoid

DB9 Vantage DB11 DBS Superleggera DBX DB12 Rapide

Lamborghini — Years to Avoid

Diablo Murciélago Gallardo Huracán Aventador Urus Revuelto

McLaren — Years to Avoid

MP4-12C 650S 570S 720S GT Artura

Land Rover — Years to Avoid

Range Rover Range Rover Sport Range Rover Evoque Range Rover Velar Defender Discovery Discovery Sport Freelander LR3 LR4

Alfa Romeo — Years to Avoid

Giulia Stelvio Tonale 4C

Lincoln — Years to Avoid

Navigator Aviator Corsair Nautilus MKZ MKX MKC MKT Continental Town Car Mark VIII LS MKS Zephyr Mark LT

Genesis — Years to Avoid

G80 G90 G70 GV80 GV70 GV60 Electrified GV70

Fiat — Years to Avoid

500 500X 500L 124 Spider

MINI — Years to Avoid

Cooper Countryman Clubman Convertible Paceman Coupe

Bugatti — Years to Avoid

Veyron Chiron Tourbillon

Lotus — Years to Avoid

Elise Exige Evora Emira Eletre

Mercury — Years to Avoid

Sable Grand Marquis Milan Cougar Mountaineer Villager Mariner Mystique Tracer Montego Marquis Monterey

Oldsmobile — Years to Avoid

Alero Cutlass Intrigue Bravada Silhouette Delta 88 Aurora Achieva 98 Regency Cutlass Supreme Cutlass Ciera

Plymouth — Years to Avoid

Voyager Grand Voyager Neon Breeze Acclaim Sundance Prowler Laser

Saab — Years to Avoid

9-3 9-5 900 9-7X 9000 9-2X

Isuzu — Years to Avoid

Rodeo Trooper Ascender Axiom Amigo VehiCROSS

Hummer — Years to Avoid

H2 H3 H1

Suzuki — Years to Avoid

Forenza Grand Vitara SX4 Verona Reno Sidekick Kizashi Aerio Vitara Esteem

Smart — Years to Avoid

Fortwo

Years to Avoid — FAQ

Why do some car years have more problems than others?▼

Newly redesigned models and first-model-year vehicles often have more problems because manufacturers are still resolving production and design issues. Mid-cycle refresh years and well-established model years tend to be safer buys.

Are recalled model years always bad to buy?▼

Not necessarily. Many recalls are minor (software updates, cosmetic fixes) and can be resolved at no cost at a dealership. The most important factor is whether the recall remedy has been completed. Run a VIN check to see if a specific vehicle’s recalls are resolved.

What makes a car year an ‘Avoid’?▼

A year is rated Avoid when its problem score — based on recall count, complaint volume, injuries, and deaths — is 65% or more of the worst year for that model. This is a relative ranking, not an absolute threshold.

Found the Right Year? Check the VIN

Knowing which years to avoid is step one. A VIN report reveals the exact history of the specific car you're considering — accidents, odometer records, auction events, and open recall status.

Run a Free VIN Report →