Buying a car is a big investment, even if you're opting for a pre-owned vehicle. And while no car is perfect, some vehicles have known issues and tend to elicit more complaints from owners than others.

Three of the Top 10 vehicles that get the most complaints are built right here in Michigan.

Your Mielege May Vary

While examining the number of complaints lodged about certain vehicles can be helpful when picking out a vehilcle, it's important to note that your mielege may vary, pun fully intended.

We've all seen isolated anecdots from friends or family members who've purchased highly rated vehicles/appliances/products and have had trouble right out of the gate. I, on the other hand, owned one of the vehicles listed below on our Top 10 list and had no complaints whatsoever - so much so that when it came time to trade in and trade up, I opted for the exact same model, just a few years newer.

The Game 730 WVFN-AM logo
Get our free mobile app

The Methodology for Creating This List

Credit goes to Dave Johnston from My Car Makes Noise for crunching the numbers, and digging into which car models have the higest number of complaints per 10,000 vehicles sold.

Vehicles With the Most Customer Complaints

Here are the Top-10 Cars That Get the Most Complaints From Owners. The models highlighed in bold type are made in Michigan, followed by a brief explanation below.

  1. Ford Focus (2012-2015)
  2. Chevrolet Cruze (2011-2014)
  3. Nissan Pathfinder (2013-2014)
  4. Fiat 500 (2012-2015)
  5. Jeep Cherokee ((2014-2015)
  6. Ford Fiesta (2011-2016)
  7. Dodge Journey (2009-2010)
  8. Cadillac ATS (2013-2014)
  9. Chrysler 200 (2015-2016)
  10. Honda Accord (2008-2009)

Which Vehicles Are Made in Michigan?

Number five on the list is the Jeep Cherokee, built at Stellantis plants in Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois. A newly-introduced transmission often caused headaches for owners due to erratic shifting and sometimes transmission failure. Theses model were also plagued by electrical issues and software glitches.

Number eight on the list is the Cadillac ATS, primarily built at the Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant in Lansing, Michigan. This model suffered from numerous touch screen issues and software issues in its infotainment system. Owners also complained about delayed gear engagement and abrupt shifting.

Number nine on the Top 10 list is the Chrysler 200, built primarily in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The redesigned 2015 model was prone to complaints about rough shifting, unexpected gear changes, rough idling, and engine-reliability issues.

15 Things You Absolutely Cannot Return When Buying on Amazon

While it's easy buying stuff from Amazon from the comfort of home, getting items that can't be returned can cause some serious headaches. Here are 15 things you absolutely cannot return when they are bought through Amazon.

Gallery Credit: Rob Carroll

D'oh! Michigan Man Brings Iconic 'Simpsons' Car to Life

Fantasy meets reality on the streets of Michigan thanks to one creative Muskegon man. Thanks to the skills of Tim Updke, he was able to bring life the legendary car from 'The Simpsons' down to the smallest details, including antennas and dents à la Homer...and yes, he drives it around town.

Gallery Credit: Courtesy of Tim Updyke

Michigan's Most Dangerous Roundabouts

Here are Michigan's most dangerous roundabouts for 2023. Michigan Auto Law compiled the latest data from the Michigan State Police Traffic Crash Reporting Unit, which analyzes accident reports filed by local law enforcement and police departments throughout Michigan.

Gallery Credit: George McIntyre

15 Things You Absolutely Cannot Return When Buying on Amazon

While it's easy buying stuff from Amazon from the comfort of home, getting items that can't be returned can cause some serious headaches. Here are 15 things you absolutely cannot return when they are bought through Amazon.

Gallery Credit: Rob Carroll

More From The Game 730 WVFN-AM