The Best and Worst Auto Brands According to Customer Reviews

Auto sales have dropped in the United States by almost 3% since last year, and manufacturers will be marketing their vehicles more aggressively in the coming months. Often, the best information about the worst and best auto brands often comes from the people driving those cars – the customers.

Nobody wants to waste money on the worst car brands, but it can happen if customers aren’t informed about auto expert tips. We turned to our extensive collection of customer reviews to reveal the true experience of owning and driving various car models. There is a lot to learn from customer insights in auto company reviews. 

Below, we outline the seven most reviewed and discussed auto brands from worst to best according to consumer issues outlined in reviews.

Key Insights

• In 2023, customers are increasingly satisfied with their vehicle purchases, with customer satisfaction rising to 79% overall, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index. 
• Subaru, Tesla, and Toyota are among the best car brands according to customer reviews and experiences. 
• Customer reviews on PissedConsumer indicated Chrysler as one of the worst car brands, with only 8% positive reviews, as also reflected in recent Consumer Reports. 

7. Chrysler: Extended Wait Times for Parts and Issues with Dealers

Number of Chrysler reviews – 1.5K

Chrysler rating* – 1.9⭐⭐

Claimed losses – $4.9M

Resolved issues – 8

Chrysler tops our list for the worst auto brands based on customer insight.

Chrysler rating and customer satisfaction overview

According to Chrysler reviews, the company has a 1.9-star rating out of 5 possible stars. Only 16% of customers would recommend the company to a friend or colleague, and only 8% of reviews left are positive. 

The Chrysler rating for customer service is only 1.5 out of a possible 5 stars. Most customers who contact Chrysler customer service are dissatisfied, with only 12% stating their consumer issues were resolved. 

Top concerns highlighted in Chrysler reviews

The top Chrysler complaints in customer reviews include extended wait times for parts, as well as long wait times for repairs or warranty work. Customers also complain about poor customer service in the Chrysler dealerships.

For example, one Chrysler customer called after a coolant leak. She was assured “they would reimburse me up to $175 for a rental,” with her 106,000 mileage, but, after submitting the paperwork, they refused to pay “because MaxCare only covers rentals up to 100,00 miles.” The reviewer got frustrated as:

They knew the mileage from the first call when they asked me and looked up my warranty…Not only did Chrysler tell me to get a rental and knew the mileage, but I got the same info from the warranty personnel. 

The unsatisfied customer ultimately tells others, "Never trust Chrysler."

In review #5933844, a customer complained that Chrysler had “been working on my 2023 wrangler for 43 days now and don’t know what’s wrong with it.” When the customer went to pick up the vehicle, they “told me it was ready only to find that the [check engine light] was still on.” 

6. General Motors: “Leaking” Cars and “Service Issues”

Number of  General Motors reviews – 1.4K

General Motors rating* – 1.9⭐⭐

Claimed losses – $3.9M

Resolved issues – 15

General Motors complaints leave the company among the worst auto brands. 

General Motors rating and customer satisfaction overview

There are more than 1,400 General Motors reviews on PissedConsumer. 76% of those reviews are negative, leaving a General Motors rating of only 1.9 stars out of a possible 5. Only 20% of GM drivers would recommend the company to others. When it comes to General Motors customer service, customers are mostly dissatisfied and have given the company a 1.5 rating, leaving it near the top of the worst car brands. 

Top concerns highlighted in General Motors reviews

In their General Motors review, one customer complained that GM is “taking months to fix a simple problem.” Then, the reviewer summarized their experience with the company:

The worst part is every time when I call GM they don't have idea when they will have the parts. I am very frustrated with GM…So I've only had negative experiences with GM.

Another customer agreed and left a video review explaining how his 2022 Yukon Diesel had so many issues that it was replaced by a 2024 model by GM. According to the customer feedback, “the replacement only lasted 123 miles before breaking down.” The reviewer explains that he shares “this story not as a complaint, but as a cautionary tale.” 

5. Kia Motors: Fire and Safety Issues

Number of  Kia Motors reviews – 2.7K

Kia Motors rating* – 2.0⭐⭐

Claimed losses – $6.6M

Resolved issues – 24

Kia vehicles may be affordable, but they also may bring big issues. Kia Motors complaints land the brand in the middle of this list. 

Kia Motors rating and customer satisfaction overview

The Kia Motors rating is 2 out of a possible 5 stars on PissedConsumer.com. Only 9% of Kia Motors reviews are positive. Customers apparently feel the same way about Kia Motors customer service, leaving a rating of 1.6 out of a possible 5 stars. According to Kia Motors customer service overview, 60% of customers reported contacting a real person successfully through the phone number 800-333-4542. However, only 11% of users would likely recommend Kia Motors to a friend or colleague. 

Top concerns highlighted in Kia Motors reviews

The most concerning issues with Kia Motors are reports of engine fires. One customer left a review saying that their “2012 Kia Sorento caught on fire while I was driving.” Despite trying to contact everyone possible “several times each day," they didn’t get a response from Kia, and their issue remained unresolved:

I've been trying to reach someone for over two weeks…I have emailed everyone from the CEO to the janitor and everyone in between and no one responds.

This isn’t just an issue in older Kias. In another Kia Motors complaint, a customer stated that their “2023 Kia Seltos suddenly caught fire with the engine turned off” and got a similar experience from Kia customer service. 

Other common complaints about Kia Motors include getting “the run around” from the company after a customer experienced engine failure. 

4. Ford: Ruined Dreams and Lack of Communication

Number of  Ford reviews – 1.4K

Ford rating* – 2.1⭐⭐

Claimed losses – $4.2M

Resolved issues – 6

Ford rating and customer satisfaction overview

Ford reviews have left the company with a 2.1 rating out of a possible 5 stars. Currently, only 7% of reviewers' feedback is positive, and customers are concerned about Ford customer service. The Ford rating for customer service is 1.6 out of five, with 8% of issues resolved. Overall, only 32% of Ford customers would recommend the company. 

Top concerns highlighted in Ford reviews

Many of the most common Ford complaints include issues with the warranty and customer service. Other complaints include issues with support in both service departments and in the dealership. One customer described owning a Ford as “a nightmare” after issues with the engine three separate times by 30,000 miles. It frustrated and disappointed a reviewer with Ford customer service:

…we will be with an expensive 30k miles car with on it and engine historic condition that has already been opened 3 times. So disappointed with Ford customer service. 

This sentiment is echoed by another poster in review #5765806, who claims that “Ford refuses to stand behind their product” after pursuing warranty work.

Source: x.com

Another Ford customer took to X, formerly Twitter, to complain they have spent “almost 60% of what actually the car cost originally” in repairs and will “never invest” in the brand again. 

3. Toyota: Paint Issues and “Failure to Provide Proper Service to Customers”

Number of  Toyota reviews – 1.1K

Toyota rating* – 2.2⭐⭐

Claimed losses – $1.8M

Resolved issues – 12

Topping the list of Consumer Reports vehicles and near the top of our list of best vehicles, Toyota turns in a solid performance despite some Toyota complaints. Some customers may be rightly concerned about a ten-year data breach revealed by Toyota that impacted more than 2 million customers. 

Toyota rating and customer satisfaction overview

According to Toyota reviews, 33% of customers would recommend Toyota to a friend or colleague. This reflects the Toyota rating of only 2.2 stars out of a possible 5. Many customers also complain about Toyota customer service, which has a rating of 1.8 out of 5 stars, the highest rating so far in this list, with 83% of them reporting that they were able to speak to a customer service agent and 11% of issues resolved. 

Top concerns highlighted in Toyota reviews

While there is praise among reviews for dependable and “typically great engines,” reviewers do complain about customer service accessibility and response, including issues where “no one calls back” from a dealership. Other complaints are regarding paint issues.

One Toyota customer recently complained about a “manufacturing defect” on the brand’s charcoal gray trucks. The customer explains that they bought a new truck and 

a few years later, the paint started fading at a drastic rate…The paint on my new tacoma now looks like it's 30 years old!

The customer was told it would cost $15,000 to repair the gray paint but assured others that they were “sure the other colors are fine.”

2. Tesla: “Support and Repair Service is Non-Existing”

Number of  Tesla reviews – 1.4K

Tesla rating* – 2.3⭐⭐

Claimed losses – $3.9M

Resolved issues – 17

Tesla is currently considered the most valuable brand worldwide in the auto sector, and it has landed near the top of our list of best vehicles to buy. 

Tesla rating and customer service overview

There are more than 1,400 Tesla reviews on the PissedConsumer website, and 15% of those are positive. The overall Tesla rating is 2.3 stars out of a possible 5. Also, customers have rated Tesla customer service as 1.7 out of 5 stars. 65% of customers report being able to reach a real person, but only 8% of Tesla complaints are resolved. 

Top concerns highlighted in Tesla reviews

Many customers praise Tesla for making an “innovative” or “beautiful car.” But they also complain about Tesla customer service in their reviews, calling the company “unreliable” or complaining about “deceptive practices” when it comes to purchasing the vehicle. 

One customer in review #5958470 expressed frustration with the Tesla mobile app when trying to understand their lease or purchase price. They noted that the app misleadingly includes fuel savings in the calculation of monthly costs and fails to itemize tax incentives. In the end, they stated:

There are too many hidden costs that the mobile app does not provide, which is also deceptive.

Another Tesla customer complains that they have taken their “Model 3 Performance in about 6.8 times… for the same issues.” They claim the car makes “unnecessarily loud rattling noises” as well as an “issue with the trunk leaking water.” Finally, the reviewer stated, “Overall, I am not a happy customer.”

1. Subaru of America: Customer Service Challenges and Dealership Issues

Number of  Subaru reviews – 1.1K

Subaru rating* – 2.5⭐⭐⭐

Claimed losses – $2.3M

Resolved issues – 19

Last year, Subaru sales in the United States led the global market, with more than 591,000 new vehicles sold. Perhaps this is why Subaru tops our list of the best cars in the United States. 

Subaru of America rating and customer satisfaction overview

There are currently more than 1,100 Subaru reviews on PissedConsumer, and 18% of those are positive. They have created a Subaru rating of 2.5 stars out of 5. Regarding Subaru customer service, reviewers rated it as two stars out of a possible 5. Only 8% of complaints are resolved by customer service, but 72% of customers report being able to speak to a real person through the phone number 800-782-2783. 

Top concerns highlighted in Subaru of America reviews

Customer service tops the list of concerns for Subaru among reviewers. Customers also complain about warranty issues, problems with car batteries, and some challenges with getting the necessary parts for repairs. Many Subaru complaints pertain to specific dealerships for sales, finance, and repair practices. 

For example, one Subaru customer complained that they called and spoke with a representative who "agreed many times…that I was experiencing an absurd amount of issues." Despite having their "case marked as urgent,"" ten days later, they did not receive any follow-up phone calls or emails about the issues.

Many other complaints are centered around Subaru warranty issues with batteries. One customer in review # 6037122 experienced a significant issue with their 40-day-old Subaru Outback when it failed to start. After receiving unhelpful instructions from Subaru's service line and incurring a $220 charge from AAA to replace the battery, the reviewer was denied reimbursement by both the local dealership and national customer service, though they had "the AAA report about a dead cell":

Subaru dealers said they are not allowed to reimburse and national customer service said they would not reimburse. "This decision is influenced by the uncertainty surrounding the cause of the battery failure.

Another Subaru reviewer complained the “online reimbursement form is faulty” for battery replacement after having their “battery replaced for the 2nd time in 3 years.”

Making the Right Choice

Buying a new car often means paying for a relationship with that car company. You are examining the worst and best auto brands to find a reliable car and a reliable customer service department when things go wrong. While most customers are satisfied with their car purchases, many others are definitely not. If you’ve had a terrible – or great – vehicle ownership experience, why not share it with others and write a review? 

*Disclaimer: Ranking and statistics are based on our users’ review texts and Pissed Consumer posters’ reviews. Also, a company’s rating is calculated using a mathematical algorithm that evaluates the information in the profile, including users’ rating, the number of resolved issues, the number of company’s responses, etc. The algorithm is subject to change in the future.