2015 Car Complaint Index Features Acura, Fiat, Mercedes, Jeep, and Nissan in Top Five

May 4, 2015
By: Robert Silverman

The 2015 Car Complaint Index is out and features some big names with familiar problems. The list, provided by consumer advocate Jack Gillis and the Center for Auto Safety, takes a look at the vehicles that receive the most consumer complaints per sales. These complaints are filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are available for public viewing at safercar.gov.

Topping off the list are the Acura RLX and the Fiat 500L, both relatively new cars that have been plagued with a number of recalls. The Acura RLX was introduced as a full-sized luxury car in 2014. Consumers have complained about key issues, steering noise, electrical issues, rattling noises in the suspension, and vibration. Fiat 500L drivers are mentioning airbags failing to deploy,check engine lights, inability to get out of gear, and loss of power.

Third on the list is another relatively new car, the Mercedes CLA, a luxury car for the budget conscious.Consumers have listed loss of power, deacceleration, and stalling as major concerns.

Fourth on the list is the Jeep Cherokee and sixth on the list is the Jeep Grand Cherokee with consumers complaining the both vehicles suffer significant transmission troubles–jumping. lunging and surging. Blog readers may remember that we wrote about this defect alert in 2014, and sadly the problem appears to continue. Fifth on the list is another popular vehicle, the Nissan Pathfinder. We had previously written about the Pathfinder’s transmission shudder and their massive passenger airbag problem.

It’s important to note that just because the car is on the car complaint index does not mean the car is a lemon. However, if you see your car, or perhaps a car you are intending to purchase, is on the list, you should do your due diligence and find out why consumers are complaining. And if you are experiencing the same issues as others, take your vehicle to an authorized manufacturers dealer as soon as possible. To read the full car complaint index, click here.