Car Defect Radar

Down to a few used cars? Line them up.

Pick up to 3 model years. The verdict, complaints, recalls and most reported problem are free. The report adds when problems start, what fixed them, and the order your cars come in.

Your cars
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B
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Car
Verdict
Complaints on file
Recalls to confirm by VIN
Most reported problem
In the reportBlurred values are stand-ins until you order.
Order, by the rules below
In the full report
In the full report
In the full report
When problems usually start
In the full report
In the full report
In the full report
What the fix usually was
In the full report
In the full report
In the full report
Fixes that didn't hold
In the full report
In the full report
In the full report
Engine the problems cluster on
In the full report
In the full report
In the full report
Crash-test stars
In the full report
In the full report
In the full report
Fuel cost
In the full report
In the full report
In the full report

$15 for up to 3 cars, in one PDF.Emailed within 24 hours. Full refund within 7 days.

Get the full comparison

Want real numbers first? Read the sample comparison of the 2017 Ford Escape, 2017 Honda CR-V and 2015 Jeep Cherokee.

How the report puts your cars in order

It never says which car to buy. It shows the order, the rule behind each step, and where two cars tie. The rules are the same for every report.

  1. Serious safety complaintsThe share of the complaints read that report fire or smoke, loss of control or power, or a failure of occupant protection
  2. Complaints per 10,000 builtUsing how many the maker built, so popular cars aren't punished for being popular
  3. Repairs that didn't holdThe share of the complaints read where a repair didn't last or the dealer couldn't find the cause
  4. Recalls to confirm by VIN
  5. Overall crash-test starsNHTSA's overall rating
  6. Yearly fuel costEPA's estimate

Cars within a small margin on one rule tie on it, and the next rule decides. A rule is left out when one of your cars has no figure for it.

Checking one car? That part is free.

Every model year has a page with its verdict, recalls and the problems owners report. Search from the top of any page.

Free car pages

$0every model year

The facts for any car, no account needed.

  • A verdict for every model year
  • Complaints, crashes, fires and injuries on file
  • Recalls to confirm by VIN
  • Every known problem, named, with how common it is
  • The buyer check for one safety problem
Search a car

Personalized report

$15one PDF, up to 3 cars

What the facts mean for the cars you are looking at.

  • When each problem tends to start, by age and mileage, with your car marked
  • What the fix usually was, and how often it didn't hold
  • Which engine the problems cluster on, from the VIN
  • Up to 3 cars side by side, ranked by rules written out in full
  • One inspection checklist and questions for the seller
  • Crash-test stars, fuel cost and recall completion rates
Get the full comparison

Emailed within 24 hours. Full refund within 7 days if it doesn't help. Free if every car has fewer than 30 complaints.

Years to avoid and best years, by model

The 16 used models people look up most. Years are ranked by NHTSA owner complaints on file: counts, not a rate per car sold.

Latest recalls

  • Mercedes-Benz S 580 4MATIC, S 580 E 4MATIC 2023-2025
    Brakes·26V638000
  • Honda VT750 2025
    Fuel system·26V633000
  • Freightliner Business Class M2 2025
    Body structure·26V635000
  • Starcraft RV TT Super Lite Maxx 2023
    Equipment & labels·26V626000
  • Greenpower EV Star Bus 2019
    Electrical·26V629000

Most complaints on file

Rankings and comparisonsAll vehicles