The most complained-about cars of 2021
Owners filed 48,948 safety complaints in 2021, down 16% from 2020. The Subaru Outback drew the most.
- owner complaints
- 48,948
- recalls
- 988
- vehicles recalled
- 29,334,550
Models with the most complaints in 2021
All model years together. Popular cars collect more complaints simply because there are more of them on the road.
| # | Model | Complaints | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Subaru Outback | 1,402 | 35 |
| 2 | Ford Fusion | 1,176 | 33 |
| 3 | Ford F-150 | 1,064 | 33 |
| 4 | Ford Escape | 1,048 | 28 |
| 5 | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 917 | 39 |
| 6 | Ford Explorer | 902 | 26 |
| 7 | Hyundai Sonata | 869 | 27 |
| 8 | Jeep Grand Cherokee | 855 | 28 |
| 9 | Hyundai Tucson | 792 | 8 |
| 10 | Ram 1500 | 781 | 42 |
| 11 | Kia Sorento | 763 | 21 |
| 12 | Chevrolet Malibu | 754 | 17 |
| 13 | Honda Accord | 743 | 63 |
| 14 | Subaru Forester | 727 | 49 |
| 15 | Jeep Cherokee | 708 | 21 |
| 16 | Nissan Altima | 703 | 26 |
| 17 | Ford Focus | 665 | 19 |
| 18 | Kia Soul | 652 | 12 |
| 19 | Ford Edge | 647 | 17 |
| 20 | Jeep Wrangler | 593 | 13 |
| 21 | Honda CR-V | 562 | 32 |
| 22 | Kia Optima | 544 | 21 |
| 23 | Hyundai Elantra | 521 | 28 |
| 24 | Dodge Grand Caravan | 515 | 13 |
| 25 | Nissan Rogue | 499 | 19 |
Model years with the most complaints in 2021
| Car | Complaints | Top problem |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Hyundai Tucson | 318 | Transmission |
| 2020 Subaru Outback | 284 | Visibility |
| 2017 Subaru Outback | 260 | Electrical |
| 2013 Ford Escape | 230 | Engine |
| 2019 Ford F-250 SD | 226 | Steering |
| 2019 Subaru Outback | 201 | Visibility |
| 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 196 | Electrical |
| 2010 Ford Fusion | 181 | Steering |
| 2018 Subaru Outback | 174 | Visibility |
| 2020 Subaru Forester | 171 | Visibility |
| 2016 Subaru Outback | 171 | Electrical |
| 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan | 167 | Electrical |
| 2013 Nissan Altima | 165 | Airbags |
| 2013 Hyundai Sonata | 162 | Engine |
| 2014 Jeep Cherokee | 160 | Transmission |
Most common problems in 2021
- Engine10,219
- Electrical8,908
- Transmission6,278
- Steering4,998
- Brakes4,480
- Fuel system3,770
- Airbags3,550
- Body2,844
- Suspension2,641
- Visibility2,369
Makes with the most complaints in 2021
Biggest recalls of 2021
- 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV, 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module - 2006-2012 Ford Edge, 2006-2012 Ford Fusion, 2006-2012 Ford Ranger
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module - 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade ESV, 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade EXT
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module - 2016-2019 Nissan Sentra
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch - 2016-2020 Honda Passport, 2016-2020 Honda Pilot, 2016-2020 Honda Ridgeline
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch - 2009-2013 Cadillac Escalade, 2009-2013 Cadillac Escalade ESV, 2009-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module - 2013-2017 Ford Explorer
Suspension: rear - 2018-2020 Acura Ilx, 2018-2020 Acura MDX, 2018-2020 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump - 2016-2019 Ford Explorer
Structure: body - 2007-2009 Cadillac Escalade, 2007-2009 Cadillac Escalade ESV, 2007-2009 Cadillac Escalade EXT
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
Makes with the most recalls in 2021
- Ford52
- Chevrolet40
- Freightliner28
- GMC26
- Nissan23
- BMW21
- Forest River21
- Volkswagen19
- Hyundai18
- Ram18
Questions about the 2021 car complaints
What car had the most complaints in 2021?
The Subaru Outback drew the most owner complaints in 2021, followed by the Ford Fusion and Ford F-150.
What were the most common car problems in 2021?
Owners complained most about engine, electrical and transmission.
Which automaker had the most recalls in 2021?
Ford issued the most recalls in 2021 (52), followed by Chevrolet (40) and Freightliner (28).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car