The Lemon Index
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Best cars

The most reliable cars, ranked.

The most reliable cars by owner complaints per vehicle sold are the Lexus ES, BMW 3 Series and Hyundai Accent. A score of 100 is the average car, and lower is better.

Fewest complaints

  1. 1
    Lexus ESairbags 15%, speed control 14%
    27
  2. 2
    BMW 3 Seriesengine 24%, transmission & drivetrain 15%
    37
  3. 3
    Hyundai Accentairbags 22%, electrical 17%
    42
  4. 4
    Mercedes-Benz E-Classelectrical 16%, airbags 14%
    45
  5. 5
    Audi A4steering 24%, transmission & drivetrain 12%
    45
  6. 6
    Toyota Corollasteering 24%, speed control 17%
    46
  7. 7
    Kia Rioairbags 20%, engine 18%
    46
  8. 8
    Mercedes-Benz C-Classelectrical 24%, engine 18%
    48
  9. 9
    Toyota Camryspeed control 18%, transmission & drivetrain 14%
    49
  10. 10
    Nissan Maximaairbags 24%, electrical 14%
    50
  11. 11
    Kia Forteengine 18%, transmission & drivetrain 15%
    50
  12. 12
    Mazda6brakes 13%, electrical 13%
    55
  13. 13
    Mazda3transmission & drivetrain 14%, electrical 13%
    56
  14. 14
    BMW 5 Seriestires 19%, transmission & drivetrain 14%
    58
  15. 15
    Nissan Sentrabrakes 18%, transmission & drivetrain 17%
    59

Most complaints

  1. 1
    Tesla Model Ssuspension 34%, steering 16%
    430
  2. 2
    Dodge Darttransmission & drivetrain 31%, brakes 24%
    305
  3. 3
    Chrysler 200electrical 29%, transmission & drivetrain 27%
    261
  4. 4
    Chevrolet Voltelectrical 37%, transmission & drivetrain 34%
    261
  5. 5
    Ford Fiestatransmission & drivetrain 49%, body structure 18%
    237
  6. 6
    Ford Focustransmission & drivetrain 55%, engine 18%
    227
  7. 7
    Tesla Model 3automatic emergency braking 79%, speed control 21%
    203
  8. 8
    Ford Fusiontransmission & drivetrain 25%, engine 22%
    193
  9. 9
    Volkswagen Golfengine 30%, transmission & drivetrain 21%
    170
  10. 10
    Volkswagen Passatairbags 43%, engine 14%
    141

Quick answers

What is the most reliable car?

By owner complaints per vehicle sold, model years 2010 to 2022, the Lexus ES ranks first with a Lemon Index of 27.

Which cars get the most complaints?

The Tesla Model S and Dodge Dart drew the most complaints per vehicle sold among popular cars.

Lemon Index: NHTSA owner complaints filed in a model year's first 3 years, per vehicle sold, against the average car. Model years 2010 to 2022, models with 150,000 or more sold. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated