Blog
Reliability and safety guides grounded in the same NHTSA data behind our vehicle pages.
Nissan Altima: Years to Avoid & Common Problems
Sharon Ben-Moshe · July 16, 2026
The 2013 Nissan Altima logged 2,976 complaints — 9.3x the model average — the worst year to avoid, alongside 2009 steering failures and 2013-2016 CVT transmission problems.
Ford Explorer: Years to Avoid & Common Problems
Sharon Ben-Moshe · July 15, 2026
The 2002 Ford Explorer logged 4,096 complaints — 5.28x the model's average complaint rate — making it the worst year to avoid. See which other years made the list and why.
Toyota Tacoma: Years to Avoid & Common Problems
Sharon Ben-Moshe · July 14, 2026
NHTSA data flags eight Toyota Tacoma model years for elevated complaint rates. The worst, 2006, logged 977 complaints — 3.25x the model average. Here's exactly which years and why.
The Takata Airbag Recall, Explained: Is Your Used Car Still Affected?
Sharon Ben-Moshe · July 13, 2026
The Takata airbag recall reshaped auto safety for over a decade, covering tens of millions of vehicles. Here is what caused it and how to check if your used car is still affected.
Jeep Wrangler: Years to Avoid & Common Problems
Sharon Ben-Moshe · July 9, 2026
The 2018 Jeep Wrangler leads all model years with 2,613 NHTSA complaints, part of 22,587 complaints and 143 investigations across the lineup. See which years to avoid and why.
Recall vs. Technical Service Bulletin: Key Differences
Sharon Ben-Moshe · July 7, 2026
A recall is a free, mandatory safety fix. A Technical Service Bulletin is optional shop guidance that isn't always free — here's why that gap matters when buying used.