The Lemon IndexCheck engine light: what it means, and which cars get it most.
Solid means get it checked soon. Flashing means slow down and get it checked now. Below is every model ranked by how often owners mention it to the government.
What to do
- Solid light: tighten the gas cap, then book a check. Most causes aren't emergencies, but don't ignore it.
- Flashing light: ease off the gas and get to a shop now. It usually means a misfire that can damage the catalytic converter.
- Light plus other warnings: if the temperature gauge is high, oil light is on, or the car shakes, stop somewhere safe.
- Read the code: a cheap OBD-II scanner works on any car from 1996 on, and many parts stores read codes for free.
Models with the most check engine complaints
| Model | Per 100K sold | Complaints | Share of its complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford EcoSport | 139.9 | 349 | 19% |
| Ford Focus | 102.7 | 1,750 | 13% |
| Ford Edge | 101.6 | 1,585 | 14% |
| Ford Escape | 101.1 | 3,240 | 17% |
| Chrysler Pacifica | 89.6 | 616 | 15% |
| Kia Soul | 89.5 | 1,222 | 22% |
| Kia Sorento | 78.4 | 1,054 | 12% |
| Ford Fusion | 71.7 | 1,826 | 9% |
| Hyundai Sonata | 67 | 1,355 | 11% |
| Kia Optima | 65 | 915 | 14% |
| Hyundai Tucson | 63.8 | 780 | 14% |
| Hyundai Santa Fe | 62.5 | 862 | 16% |
| Jeep Cherokee | 59.8 | 891 | 9% |
| Chrysler 200 | 56.1 | 386 | 9% |
| Chevrolet Malibu | 50.6 | 1,087 | 14% |
| Kia Sedona | 45.7 | 92 | 11% |
| Kia Sportage | 43.6 | 378 | 17% |
| Ford Fiesta | 43.4 | 242 | 8% |
| Jeep Patriot | 42.7 | 259 | 11% |
| Jeep Renegade | 41 | 239 | 11% |
Model years 2010 to 2022. The typical model on our site sits at 20 per 100,000 sold.
Worst single model years
| Car | Per 100K sold | Complaints | Share of its complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Volt 2017 | 712.6 | 145 | 21% |
| Ford Edge 2017 | 418.6 | 597 | 43% |
| Ford Escape 2017 | 327.6 | 1,010 | 37% |
| Ford Edge 2018 | 289.3 | 388 | 46% |
| Ford EcoSport 2018 | 259.4 | 141 | 19% |
| Ford Escape 2018 | 249.4 | 679 | 37% |
| Kia Sportage 2012 | 211.8 | 77 | 20% |
| Ford Focus 2018 | 199.5 | 251 | 30% |
| Hyundai Santa Fe 2017 | 198.2 | 264 | 20% |
| Kia Sportage 2013 | 194.1 | 64 | 17% |
| Ford Fusion 2010 | 182.9 | 401 | 7% |
| Hyundai Tucson 2017 | 170.8 | 196 | 18% |
| Kia Soul 2015 | 166.5 | 245 | 27% |
| Ford Edge 2016 | 163.5 | 220 | 24% |
| Kia Soul 2016 | 161.2 | 235 | 29% |
| Kia Sorento 2016 | 160.4 | 184 | 15% |
| Ford EcoSport 2019 | 159.2 | 103 | 22% |
| Chrysler Pacifica 2018 | 155.5 | 184 | 17% |
| Jeep Cherokee 2014 | 149.8 | 306 | 12% |
| Kia Soul 2014 | 148 | 215 | 24% |
Years with at least 15 such complaints and 20,000 sold.
Quick answers
What does a solid check engine light mean?
The car's computer found a fault it wants checked. The car is usually safe to drive to a shop soon. Start with the gas cap, because a loose one can trigger the light.
What does a flashing check engine light mean?
A flashing light usually means the engine is misfiring badly enough to damage the catalytic converter. Slow down and get it looked at right away. If the car shakes or loses power, pull over somewhere safe.
Can I read the code myself?
Yes. Any car from 1996 on has an OBD-II port under the dash. A cheap scanner reads the code, and many parts stores will read it for free.
Which cars get the check engine light most?
In owner complaints to the government, Ford EcoSport, Ford Focus and Ford Edge mention it most per car sold, model years 2010 to 2022.
We searched the text of NHTSA owner complaints for check engine light wording. A complaint is an owner report, not a diagnosis, and owners who see a light don't always file one. This is general information, not repair advice for your car.
Updated