timing belt / timing chain tensioner gasket or seal
12
muffler or resonator
11
bulb: headlight
11
catalytic converter
10
CV joint / axle / half shaft
10
radiator
9
blower motor / HVAC interior fan
9
entire transmission
9
valve cover gasket
4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40
Chart is based on 1687 vehicles in TrueDelta's reliability survey.
These are the problems owners most commonly reported on TrueDelta's Car Reliability Survey. For many models not all entries have been coded yet, so focus on the relative numbers rather than the absolute numbers.
Usually when people say "they all have this problem," the problem in question actually affects between 10 percent and 20 percent of all cars.
We aren't counting wear items like brake pads and rotors that truly do require periodic replacement on all cars.