Nissan Altima
The CVT transmission in the Altima has been involved in many lawsuits. Car owners have complained about jerking, slipping, and premature failure, sometimes before 60,000 miles. After the uproar, Nissan made attempts to calm the outrage by extending warranties.
Ford Focus
Thousands of car owners had a problem with Ford's "PowerShift" dual-clutch transmission. Class-action lawsuits alleged that it shuddered, slipped, and stalled without warning. In the end, Ford paid millions of dollars in settlement.
Subaru Outback
The well-loved Outback found itself in a challenging situation when a lawsuit claimed that it excessively consumed oil. Subaru owners reportedly topped off oil between every fuel fill-up. While Subaru denied any wrongdoing, they quietly extended warranties, probably after running out of complimentary quarts.
Chevrolet Equinox
Chevy’s popular SUV got the brand in trouble when owners started complaining about their 2.4-liter engines using excessive amounts of oil. The lawsuit alleged that GM was aware of the issue but failed to disclose it to consumers. GM settled, but the Chevy Equinox’s image suffered some damage.
Toyota Prius
The Prius might save gas, but it couldn’t save itself from brake and software lawsuits. Some models were accused of unpredictable braking and faulty hybrid systems that shut down mid-drive. Toyota settled without admitting fault, leaving many drivers wondering if “regen braking” really meant “random braking.”
Honda Civic
The reliability of the Civic was brought into question when owners claimed Honda sold vehicles with defective CVTs and cracked piston rings. The lawsuits claimed that the car excessively consumed oil and accelerated roughly. Honda settled, but for some drivers, “Civic duty” now includes checking the dipstick every few days.
Jeep Cherokee
The Cherokee's high-tech transmission looked amazing on paper, but was quickly found to jerk, stall, and not know what gear it was in. Frustrated owners filed lawsuits, and Jeep issued software updates. However, some drivers insist their Cherokee still has a mind of its own.
Tesla Model S
The Model S looked like a sci-fi dream until owners began to notice touchscreen failures and premature battery degradation. Several class actions accused Tesla of overpromising battery life and charging too much for repairs. However, fans still stay loyal because once you’ve felt that instant torque, it’s hard to go back.
Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai owners weren't happy when engines called it quits due to debris in the oil. Lawsuits alleged the company knew about deficiencies in the Theta II engine. Hyundai later rolled out a massive warranty extension and the “lifetime engine” promise because that’s how you silence an angry internet.
Dodge Dart
The Dart made a slick return only to stall later on. Owners sued the company over claims of transmission failure and clutch defects that made driving feel like a game of chance. Fiat Chrysler denied doing anything wrong, but quietly phased the model out.
Volkswagen Jetta
After Dieselgate, VW certainly didn’t need more legal drama, but here we are. Owners of gasoline-fueled Jettas sued VW over failures of timing chain tensioners that destroyed their engines. VW settled, of course.
Kia Optima
The Optima’s sleek looks didn’t save it from lawsuits over engine fires caused by oil leaks. Some owners reported that their cars would shut off mid-drive, which is far from ideal. Kia settled and offered repairs, but those scorch marks on its reputation still linger.
BMW 3 Series
BMW owners alleged the manufacturer concealed faults regarding the timing chain and fuel pump. And repairs often cost thousands, even under warranty. BMW ultimately settled with the owners, though it probably hurt more than admitting that “The Ultimate Driving Machine” sometimes needs an ultimate tow truck.
Ford Fiesta
The same PowerShift transmission that doomed the Focus was also a problem in the Fiesta, triggering yet another huge lawsuit. Ford settled, of course, but drivers still remember those awkward lurches like bad dance moves at a high school reunion.
Chevrolet Cruze
The Cruze had excellent fuel economy, but unfortunately, it was burned by lawsuits over coolant leaks and turbo failures. Some owners had issues with the engine overheating, but GM denied everything. They quietly updated the design later, because nothing says “trust us” like a recall.
Acura MDX
The MDX appeared to be the ultimate blend of family comfort and luxury style, until it began to act like it was possessed. Owners reported it had transmissions that jerked like a nervous teenager trying to learn to drive, and sensors that seemed to have minds of their own. Acura offered fixes, but drivers mostly got “precision-crafted headaches.”
Jeep Compass
The Compass looked like a baby Grand Cherokee but acted more like a moody teenager. Lawsuits accused Jeep of faulty transmissions, engine stalls, and electrical glitches galore. Some drivers joked it needed “recalibrating” every week. For a car named Compass, it sure lost its direction fast.
Hyundai Elantra
The Elantra’s sleek looks couldn’t hide its engine troubles. Hyundai faced lawsuits over defective Theta II engines prone to seizing or catching fire. Owners said the cars just “gave up” mid-drive. Hyundai had to extend warranties and shell out for repairs, leaving the brand’s “reliability” image in question.
Honda CR-V
Honda’s trusty CR-V got caught in legal quicksand over engine oil dilution. Drivers noticed their oil turning into a gas smoothie, leading to engine wear and poor performance. Lawsuits accused Honda of ignoring the issue, while the brand scrambled to reassure loyalists that it wasn’t losing its touch.
GMC Acadia
The Acadia seemed like a good family hauler until class actions came in over transmission failures and electrical problems. Some owners claimed the SUV would stall unexpectedly. GM extended warranties, but many families had already traded theirs for something less exciting.
Subaru Crosstrek
The Crosstrek seemed so appealing until owners started having oil consumption and stalling problems. Lawsuits began to stack up against Subaru, with claims that the automobile maker looked the other way regarding known defects. Subaru's rugged image took a hit when even daily commutes started feeling like off-road emergencies.
Infiniti QX60
The QX60 faced lawsuits over its CVT transmission, which periodically slipped, vibrated, and failed altogether. Infiniti put out software updates, but many drivers claimed they only helped in hiding more serious issues.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Luxury or not, the C-Class couldn’t escape its share of legal headlines. Class actions accused Mercedes of hiding premature rust issues and dangerous airbag defects. For a brand known for perfection, that was a tough look. Even elegance can’t distract from corroded doors and malfunctioning safety systems.
Nissan Maxima
Known for being the “four-door sports car,” the Maxima got dragged into lawsuits over its continuously variable transmission (CVT). Drivers complained of hesitation, slipping, and total failure. Nissan’s CVT problems became so widespread that the company extended warranties and faced payouts across several models.
Nissan Pathfinder
The Pathfinder’s CVT transmission earned it a one-way ticket to court. Drivers reported slipping, shaking, and total transmission failure well before 100,000 miles. Nissan extended warranties, but faced multiple lawsuits claiming they knew all along.
Chevrolet Silverado
America’s favorite workhorse ran into legal trouble when owners complained about excessive oil consumption and faulty lifters in the 5.3-liter V8. Lawsuits accused GM of ignoring the issue, leaving Silverado drivers feeling more burned than their engines.
Ford Escape
The Ford Escape lived up to its name for all the wrong reasons. Class action lawsuits sprang up over engine fires, coolant leaks, and fuel system issues. Some owners reported their Escapes "self-destructed" without warning. Ford was forced to issue recall after recall and deal with drivers whose patience was wearing thin.
Ram 2500
Ram’s heavy-duty truck was built for tough jobs, but lawsuits alleged its Cummins diesel engines were anything but bulletproof. Drivers complained about clogged filters and emission system failures. For a vehicle meant to tow mountains, getting stuck in limp mode felt like a cruel twist of irony.
Ford Explorer
This SUV became the poster child for carbon monoxide lawsuits. Drivers reported feeling dizzy or nauseous while behind the wheel, leading to serious safety concerns. Ford denied any widespread defect, but many Explorers wound up under investigation.
Dodge Ram 1500
The Ram 1500 also brought big legal noise. Class actions targeted its defective air suspensions and transmission jerks that made driving feel like a rodeo. Some owners even reported engines that randomly shut off. Tough luck.
GMC Terrain
The Terrain looks sharp and feels upscale, but a lot of owners found out it was hiding serious chaos under the hood. Lawsuits piled up over engines that guzzled oil like it was happy hour and even died before 60,000 miles. Turns out this “Terrain” was rougher than expected, especially on your wallet.
Chrysler Pacifica
Families loved the Pacifica’s comfort, but lawsuits claimed the minivan had a nasty habit of stalling mid-drive. Electrical issues and faulty transmissions made school drop-offs feel like pit stops. Chrysler faced legal pressure to fix the problems and reassure parents that “family-friendly” didn’t mean “breakdown-prone.”
Tesla Model 3
The Model 3 was supposed to be Tesla’s mainstream wonder, but lawsuits accused the automaker of overpromising range and underdelivering quality. Owners complained of cracked windshields, phantom braking, and inoperative touch screens. Tesla's response? Blame the drivers.
Hyundai Tucson
The engines of this model had a fiery reputation. Class actions claimed defective bearings caused sudden engine seizures or fires. In the end, Hyundai expanded the recalls and extended warranties. For a car that was supposed to make life easier, the Tucson gave owners far more drama than any soap opera.
Jeep Renegade
This small off-roader had spirit, but lawsuits argued its oil consumption and engine stalling made it less than reliable. Some owners reported their engines died in the middle of their commute, turning "Renegade" into "reneged." Jeep faced several class actions and had a lot of negative press over these issues.
