Blog
Reliability and safety guides grounded in the same NHTSA data behind our vehicle pages.
Jeep Grand Cherokee and Patriot Common Problems Guide
Sharon Ben-Moshe · July 7, 2026
Shopping for a used Grand Cherokee or Patriot? Here's what NHTSA complaint data shows about each model's known trouble spots, year by year.
Rod Bearing Knock vs. Timing Chain Rattle: Buyer Guide
Sharon Ben-Moshe · July 7, 2026
Engine knock and timing chain rattle sound alike but mean very different things. Here's how to tell them apart before buying a used car.
Ford PowerShift Transmission Problems: What to Know
Sharon Ben-Moshe · July 7, 2026
The Ford PowerShift dual-clutch transmission in the Fiesta and Focus caused years of jerking and hesitation complaints. Here's what a used-car buyer should check before buying one.
CVT Transmission Problems: What Used-Car Buyers Need to Know
Sharon Ben-Moshe · July 7, 2026
Nissan's CVT-equipped Altima and Pathfinder have drawn thousands of complaints about shuddering and early failure. Here's what used-car buyers should check before buying.
NCAP Crash Test Ratings: How NHTSA's 5-Star System Works
Sharon Ben-Moshe · July 7, 2026
NHTSA's NCAP program crash-tests vehicles and combines the results into one 5-star rating. Here is what the stars measure, and what they leave out.
NHTSA Investigations Explained: PE, EA, and RQ Stages
Sharon Ben-Moshe · July 7, 2026
NHTSA defect investigations move through three stages — Preliminary Evaluation, Engineering Analysis, and Recall Query. Here's what each means before you buy a used car.