Not every new car is a winner. Some models roll off the lot problem-free, while others bring a headache of mechanical issues, recalls, and frustrated owners.
My name is Sergei Lemberg, and I’ve spent my career fighting for consumers who’ve been stuck with defective vehicles. At Lemberg Law, my team and I analyze thousands of consumer complaints to identify troubling patterns of defects, malfunctions, and safety issues that manufacturers would rather ignore.
For this index, we cross-referenced the complaint data with sales data to pinpoint the 2024 vehicles most likely to give you trouble. These aren’t just isolated incidents—these models have a track record of recurring problems that could turn your new vehicle experience into a nightmare.
Now, does that mean every car on this list is a total lemon? Not necessarily. Manufacturing defects happen, but when complaints start stacking up at a rate far beyond what’s normal, it’s a red flag.
Let’s take a closer look at the worst cars of 2024, based on real-world complaints and sales data.
#1 Tesla Model 3
Kicking off the list at #1 is the Tesla Model 3. While many owners love its design and technology, it has the highest number of complaints relative to sales.
🚨 Turn Signal Button Failures – The steering wheel’s turn signal buttons sometimes fail, making it difficult for drivers to signal lane changes or turns.
📢 Horn Malfunctions in Bad Weather – After rain or snow exposure, some owners report the horn becoming muffled or stopping entirely, limiting a key safety function.
📱 Screen & Software Glitches – The touchscreen, which controls most functions, can freeze or crash, disrupting navigation, climate control, and other features.
#2 Honda CR-V
At #2 on our list is the Honda CR-V. While known for its practicality and reliability, it has received more complaints than expected, especially about steering and safety features.
🚗 Sticky Steering – Drivers report notchy or resistant steering, especially at highway speeds, making smooth control difficult and raising safety concerns.
⚠️ Brake Issues – Some vehicles experience sudden braking or unintended acceleration, creating dangerous situations and increasing the risk of collisions.
📷 Backup Camera Malfunctions – The rearview camera displays in black and white or fails, reducing visibility and making reversing more hazardous.
#3 Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler makes its way onto our list due to several significant issues that have left owners frustrated. While the Wrangler is beloved for its off-road prowess, it has experienced multiple mechanical and electrical problems that affect its reliability and safety.
⚡ Electrical System Malfunctions – Many owners report sudden vehicle shutdowns, either while driving or at stoplights. These incidents happen without warning, requiring drivers to restart the vehicle to continue.
🔋 Persistent Battery Issues – There have been frequent complaints about the battery discharging quickly, failing to hold a charge, or causing the vehicle to stall, particularly in electric driving mode, making the Wrangler less reliable for everyday use.
⚠️ Service Hybrid System Warning – Drivers often encounter a “service needed” alert for the hybrid electric system, creating confusion and raising concerns about the vehicle’s overall performance and dependability.
#4 Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y earns a spot on our list due to widespread safety and software failures that have left owners frustrated. While Tesla is known for its cutting-edge technology, numerous malfunctions affecting critical safety systems have raised serious reliability concerns.
🚨 Safety System Failures – Many owners report that all cameras and safety features, including the backup camera, forward collision warning, lane assist, and adaptive cruise control, have stopped working—often after a software update—compromising vehicle safety.
⚠️ Unexpected Hard Braking (Phantom Braking) – The vehicle may experience sudden, unexplained braking while in motion, creating dangerous driving conditions and increasing the risk of accidents.
🚗 Unintended Acceleration – Some drivers report the vehicle accelerating on its own, posing a serious safety risk and increasing the likelihood of collisions.
#5 Toyota Tundra
The Toyota Tundra earns a spot on our Worst Cars of 2024 index due to serious performance and safety issues that have frustrated owners. While the Tundra is known for durability, acceleration problems, engine failures, and braking concerns have raised major reliability red flags.
🚦 Acceleration Hesitation – Drivers report a dangerous lag when trying to accelerate from a stop or at low speeds, leading to potential near-misses in traffic.
⛽ Fuel Gauge Malfunction – The fuel gauge frequently resets to full, giving false readings that can leave drivers stranded after unknowingly running out of fuel.
🛑 Brake Problems – Owners report squeaky brakes, poor braking performance, and inconsistent responsiveness, raising concerns about stopping power in emergencies.
#6 GMC Sierra 1500
The GMC Sierra 1500 makes our list due to widespread mechanical and electrical failures that have frustrated owners. While GMC markets the Sierra as a dependable workhorse, engine and transmission failures have raised serious reliability concerns.
🔧 Engine Failure – Drivers report sudden engine failure without warning, causing a complete loss of power on the road.
⚙️ Transmission Valve Body Failure – Issues with the transmission valve body cause loss of power, no reverse gear, and long repair delays due to part shortages.
💡 Electrical System Failures – Owners experience headlights, dashboard displays, and audio systems abruptly failing, impacting visibility and vehicle functionality.
#7 Honda Accord
The 2024 Honda Accord makes position #7 on our index due to serious steering, fuel system, and electrical issues that have left owners concerned about safety and reliability. While the Accord has long been a trusted sedan, recent mechanical and electronic failures have raised red flags.
🚗 Steering Issues – Owners report sticking, pulling, and control difficulties, especially at high speeds, creating a dangerous driving experience.
⛽ Fuel Pump Recall & Fuel System Problems – Complaints include fuel leaks, gasoline spills after refueling, and pump recalls, increasing fire and safety risks.
⚠️ Electrical Failures & Warning Lights – Sudden warning lights for braking, steering, and other systems appear without cause, raising safety concerns.
#8 Honda HR-V
The Honda HR-V earns a spot on our list due to serious steering, braking, and safety concerns that have frustrated owners. While Honda is typically known for reliability, the HR-V’s steering malfunctions, part shortages, and glass durability issues have raised major red flags.
🚗 Steering Problems – Drivers report stickiness, jerking, and difficulty turning, leading to dangerous situations on the road.
⏳ Parts Availability for Recall Repairs – Many owners struggle with long delays for critical safety recall repairs, particularly for steering-related issues.
🔗 Seat Belt Problems – Reports indicate seat belts malfunctioning or locking improperly, compromising passenger safety.
#9 Ford Maverick
Coming in at #9 is the 2024 Ford Maverick due to persistent electrical and drivetrain issues that have frustrated owners. While Ford’s compact truck has gained popularity for its affordability and practicality, problems with the backup camera, battery, and shifting have raised serious safety concerns.
📹 Backup Camera Freezing – The camera intermittently freezes, making it difficult to see while reversing and creating unsafe driving conditions.
🔋 12-Volt Battery Issues – Many owners report that the battery fails to hold a charge, leading to jump-starts and electrical malfunctions.
⚙️ Vehicle Shifting to Neutral – Some drivers have experienced the truck unexpectedly shifting into neutral while driving, posing a serious hazard on highways.
#10 Toyota Tacoma
Rounding out the top 10 is the Toyota Tacoma, a surprise entry given its long-standing reputation for toughness. However, the 2024 model has been plagued with serious transmission failures, shifting issues, and power loss, leaving many owners disappointed.
🔄 Gear Engagement & Rough Shifting Issues – The automatic transmission gets stuck in high gears and hard, jerky gear changes.
🌡️ Transmission Overheating & Sluggishness – Some trucks lose propulsion unexpectedly, with erratic RPMs and no warning signs.
⚠️ Driving Control Issues – Reports indicate sudden power loss, creeping forward at stops, or unexpected jerking, making the Tacoma unpredictable and potentially hazardous.
Full Lemon Vehicle Index:
Like our worst cars of 2024 index? View the full index below and click through on many of the vehicles for a deeper dive on the most common issues.
Own one of the worst cars of 2024 and dealing with constant, unfixable problems? You might have legal options. State and federal lemon laws could entitle you to a buyback, replacement, or cash compensation—without costing you a dime.
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
