Used Car Informer
Know the model before you go look
112 documented failure patterns and solid picks, in plain English , the same notes that power the free check tool. Red = known major pattern. Amber = specific things to inspect. Green = a known-good buy.
Titles, paperwork & the seller
- Salvage & rebuilt titles , what they actually cost you
- Arizona , how to spot an unlicensed dealer (the 7-vehicle rule)
Motorcycles
49 documented motorcycle failure patterns. Note that NHTSA collects far fewer motorcycle complaints than car complaints and does not crash-test motorcycles , on two wheels the inspection and the service receipts carry the weight.
Aprilia
BMW
- 2000-2012 BMW R 1150 GS , Clutch slave seal, input splines and final drive
- 2013-2015 BMW R 1200 GS , Liquid-cooled boxer stator burnout
- 1999-2007 BMW F 650 , Sprag clutch / starter gear wear
Ducati
Harley-Davidson
- 1991-2003 Harley-Davidson XL883C , Evolution Sportster: base and rocker gasket failure
- 1991-2022 Harley-Davidson XL1200C , Sportster 5-speed transmission and clutch wear
- 1999-2006 Harley-Davidson Road King , Twin Cam 88: cam chain tensioner shoes + outer bearings
- 2007-2017 Harley-Davidson Street Glide , Twin Cam 96/103: hydraulic tensioners, compensator and cam bearings
- 2017-2019 Harley-Davidson Street Glide , Milwaukee-Eight early production issues
Honda
- 2003-2016 Honda CBR600RR , Cam chain tensioner rattle
- 2008-2015 Honda CBR1000RR , SC59 oil consumption + stator burnout
- 2015-2016 Honda CB300F , Crankshaft machining defect, recall 16V528000
- 2023 Honda Rebel 300 , Crankcase plug recall (narrow production window)
- 2021 Honda Rebel 1100 , DCT reset loop (automatic models)
- 2000-2023 Honda VT750 , Stator connector corrosion
- 2002-2009 Honda VFR800 , VTEC valve service gets skipped
- 2013-2023 Honda CB500F , Shift detent spring fracture
- 2012-2015 Honda NC700X , Starter relay failure
- 2001-2005 Honda Gold Wing , GL1800 frame weld cracking, recall 05V027000
KTM
Kawasaki
- 2013 Kawasaki Ninja 300 , Electrical recall 13V328000
- 2018-2020 Kawasaki Ninja 400 , No systemic fault, verify valve service
- 2005-2008 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R , Transmission and hard-use damage
- 2004-2005 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R , Gen 1 generator design flaw
- 1987-2018 Kawasaki KLR650 , The doohickey (balancer chain adjuster)
- 2006-2023 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 , Standard consumables, solid platform
- 2008-2022 Kawasaki Concours 14 , Known wear items on a heavy sport-tourer
- 2007-2014 Kawasaki Versys 650 , Consumables, no systemic fault
Suzuki
- 1999-2016 Suzuki SV650 , Second-gear and engine wear on hard-used examples
- 2004-2013 Suzuki GSX-R600 , Brake master cylinder recall 13V449000 + stator/regulator heat
- 2012-2016 Suzuki V-Strom 650 , Verify open recalls; otherwise a strong platform
- 2002-2012 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 , Electrical recall 16V018000 covers DL1000
- 1996-2023 Suzuki DR650S , Base gasket weep on early bikes
- 2000-2023 Suzuki DR-Z400 , Hard-use wear, no systemic fault
- 2005-2023 Suzuki Boulevard M50 , Known wear items on the 800 cruisers
Triumph
- 2006-2009 Triumph Daytona 675 , Regulator/rectifier recall 12V445000
- 1999-2015 Triumph Speed Triple , Sprag clutch shattering
Yamaha
- 2015-2016 Yamaha YZF-R3 , Oil pump + clutch recalls, 16V459000 and 16V460000
- 1999-2002 Yamaha YZF-R6 , Second-gear dog wear (three-dog gearbox)
- 2004-2015 Yamaha FZ8-N , Rotor magnet delamination
- 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1 , Second gear pinion recall, 15V802000
- 2020-2023 Yamaha MT-03 , Standard consumables, no systemic fault
- 2018-2024 Yamaha MT-07 , Chain guard recall 18V483000 + clutch drag on later bikes
- 2014-2017 Yamaha MT-09 , CP3 cam chain tensioner rattle
- 2006-2020 Yamaha FJR1300 , Ground joint recall 11V338000 + 2016-2020 gearbox issue
- 1998-2011 Yamaha V Star 650 , Dry rear splines on the shaft drive
- 2009-2012 Yamaha V Star 950 , Transmission lurch + fuel delivery recall 11V533000
- 2008-2015 Yamaha WR250R , Consumables and hard-use history
Keep Your Car Alive , the free DIY maintenance guide →
Acura
- 2016-2020 Acura MDX , 3.5 V6 rod bearing failure pattern + recall
- 2015-2020 Acura TLX , V6 rod-bearing recall + transmission behavior
- 2007-2012 Acura RDX , 2.3 turbo wear items
- 2009-2014 Acura TSX , Solid pick: the K24 sweet spot
Audi
- 2009-2011 Audi A4 , 2.0T oil consumption (piston rings)
- 2009-2013 Audi A4 , 2.0T timing chain tensioner (pre-revision)
- 2010-2016 Audi A4 , S-tronic (DL501) mechatronic watch
BMW
- 2012-2015 BMW 328i , N20 timing chain guide failure
- 2006-2013 BMW 325i , N52 electric water pump + gaskets
- 2007-2010 BMW 335i , N54: the money-pit legend
- 2011-2016 BMW 335i , N55 upkeep: OFHG, water pump, charge pipe
- 2016-2022 BMW 340i , B58 oil filter housing leak point
Buick
Chevrolet
- 2007-2018 Chevrolet Silverado , AFM lifter + oil consumption pattern
- 2019-2023 Chevrolet Silverado , DFM lifter failure pattern
- 2007-2014 Chevrolet Silverado , 6L80 transmission wear points
- 2015-2019 Chevrolet Silverado , 8-speed torque converter shudder
- 2010-2017 Chevrolet Equinox , 2.4 Ecotec oil consumption + timing chain
- 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze , 1.4T cooling system + PCV chain of failures
- 2008-2017 Chevrolet Traverse , 3.6 timing chain stretch + early trans wave plate
- 2011-2013 Chevrolet Silverado , Solid pick: 4.8 V8 (no AFM)
Chrysler
- 2015-2017 Chrysler 200 , 2.4 Tigershark oil use + 9-speed behavior
- 2017-2020 Chrysler Pacifica , Stalling recalls + head gasket complaint pattern
Dodge
- 2009-2020 Dodge Journey , Fleet-grade reliability across the board
- 2008-2016 Dodge Grand Caravan , Fleet-grade everything + TIPM watch
- 2011-2016 Dodge Durango , Pentastar 3.6 rocker/lifter tick
Ford
- 2012-2018 Ford Focus , PowerShift DPS6 transmission
- 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta , PowerShift DPS6 transmission
- 2004-2010 Ford F-150 , 5.4L 3V cam phasers / spark plugs
- 2011-2020 Ford F-150 , 3.5 EcoBoost cam phasers / timing rattle
- 2017-2021 Ford F-150 , 10-speed (10R80) harsh shifting
- 2013-2019 Ford Escape , EcoBoost coolant intrusion / overheating
- 2009-2019 Ford Escape , 6F35 automatic wear pattern
- 2011-2019 Ford Mustang , MT82 manual gearbox complaints
- 2007-2019 Ford Explorer , 3.5/3.7 V6 internal water pump
- 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria , Solid pick: the Panther platform
Honda
- 2017-2018 Honda CR-V , 1.5T oil dilution
- 2016-2018 Honda Civic , 1.5T oil dilution + head gasket watch (turbo trims)
- 2008-2012 Honda Accord , V6 VCM oil burning
- 2006-2009 Honda Civic , R18 engine block cracking history
- 1999-2004 Honda Odyssey , Automatic transmission failure era
- 2009-2017 Honda Pilot , VCM oil burning + mounts + shudder
- 2012-2020 Honda CR-V , AWD rear differential fluid breakdown
- 2015-2016 Honda CR-V , CVT judder watch
- 2016-2019 Honda Pilot , 3.5 V6 connecting-rod recall, verify completion
- 2009-2013 Honda Fit , Solid pick: honest little car
- 2012-2015 Honda Civic , Solid pick: 9th-gen 1.8
Hyundai
- 2011-2019 Hyundai Sonata , Theta II engine failure pattern
- 2011-2019 Hyundai Tucson , Theta II engine exposure (2.4/2.0T models)
- 2011-2016 Hyundai Elantra , 1.8 Nu engine piston scuffing
- 2012-2019 Hyundai Accent , 1.6 Gamma GDI catalytic-converter/engine failure
- 2011-2021 Hyundai Elantra , Theft-wave insurance penalty
Infiniti
- 2007-2013 Infiniti G35 , VQ oil gallery gasket blowout
- 2016-2020 Infiniti Q50 , VR30 twin-turbo seal wear
- 2013-2020 Infiniti QX60 , CVT failure pattern
Jeep
- 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee , TIPM electrical + air suspension
- 2013-2019 Jeep Cherokee , 2.4 Tigershark oil consumption / stalling
- 2012-2013 Jeep Wrangler , Pentastar left-head tick
- 2018-2022 Jeep Wrangler , “Death wobble”, steering damper watch
Kia
- 2011-2019 Kia Optima , Theta II engine failure pattern
- 2011-2019 Kia Sorento , Theta II engine exposure
- 2014-2020 Kia Sorento , 3.3 Lambda V6 head-bolt thread reports
Land Rover
Lexus
- 2007-2012 Lexus RX 350 , 2GR V6: timing cover seep + oil cooler line
- 2005-2011 Lexus GX 470 , V8 exhaust manifold tick
- 2006-2013 Lexus IS 250 , IS250: direct-injection carbon buildup
- 2013-2018 Lexus ES 350 , Solid pick: the 300K-mile luxury car
- 2013-2015 Lexus RX 350 , Solid pick: benchmark luxury SUV
- 2014-2023 Lexus GX 460 , Solid pick: overbuilt body-on-frame V8
MINI
- 2002-2006 MINI Cooper , CVT transmission failure (automatic cars)
- 2007-2012 MINI Cooper , N14 timing chain “death rattle” + carbon
Mazda
- 2007-2015 Mazda CX-9 , Ford V6 internal water pump
- 2006-2013 Mazda3 , MZR VVT actuator / timing chain rattle
- 2016-2021 Mazda CX-9 , 2.5 Turbo: cylinder head cracking reports
- 2012-2021 Mazda3 , Solid pick: Skyactiv era
Mercedes-Benz
- 2004-2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class , 7G-Tronic (722.9) conductor plate
- 2005-2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class , M272/M273 balance shaft gear wear
- 2005-2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class , AIRMATIC air suspension aging
Mitsubishi
Nissan
- 2013-2018 Nissan Altima , JATCO CVT failure pattern
- 2014-2019 Nissan Rogue , CVT failure pattern
- 2013-2019 Nissan Sentra , CVT failure pattern
- 2013-2016 Nissan Pathfinder , CVT failure pattern
- 2012-2019 Nissan Versa , CVT failure pattern
- 2009-2019 Nissan Murano , CVT watch
- 2013-2021 Nissan Rogue , AWD transfer case seal leak
- 2005-2010 Nissan Frontier , Radiator/transmission cross-contamination (SMOD)
- 2005-2010 Nissan Frontier , VQ40 timing chain tensioner wear
- 2004-2015 Nissan Titan , VK56 exhaust manifold cracking
- 2016-2019 Nissan Titan XD , 5.0 Cummins diesel: emissions + turbo failures
- 2011-2019 Nissan Frontier , Solid pick: old-school truck, post-fixes
Pontiac
Ram
Scion
Subaru
- 2000-2012 Subaru Outback , EJ25 head gaskets
- 2011-2015 Subaru Outback , FB engine oil consumption
- 2010-2019 Subaru Outback , CVT (TR580/TR690) watch
Toyota
- 2007-2011 Toyota Camry , 2AZ-FE oil consumption
- 2006-2008 Toyota RAV4 , 2AZ-FE oil consumption (4-cyl)
- 2010-2015 Toyota Prius , Head gasket + brake booster/accumulator watch
- 2017-2022 Toyota Highlander , 8-speed (UA80) shift-quality complaints
- 2018-2022 Toyota Camry , V6 8-speed shift-quality watch
- 2005-2010 Toyota Tacoma , Frame rust (salt states)
- 2000-2008 Toyota Tundra , Frame rust (salt states)
- 2016-2017 Toyota Tacoma , V6 stalling recall, verify completion
- 2005-2015 Toyota Tundra , Secondary air injection pump failure
- 2009-2019 Toyota Corolla , Solid pick: appliance-grade
- 2012-2017 Toyota Camry , Solid pick: 2AR-FE era
- 2016-2022 Toyota Prius , Solid pick: Gen 4 hybrid
Volkswagen
- 2009-2017 Volkswagen Jetta , TSI upkeep stack: carbon, chains, water pumps
- 2012-2015 Volkswagen Jetta , TDI diesel: CP4 fuel pump risk
Volvo
Check any used car free →General reference information only , not inspections, appraisals, or history reports. Absence of a warning is not a statement a car is safe. Always get a pre-purchase inspection. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer, dealer, or reporting service. No affiliate links, no commissions, no ads. © Used Car Informer, operated by MCC LLC · v6.6