My GarageHonda · Accord
Honda Accord — Years to Research
The Accord's weak points are well-documented and mostly historical. Two specific eras deserve extra inspection before you buy.
Honda · Civic
Honda Civic — Years to Research
The Civic has fewer 'years to avoid' than almost any competitor — but two specific eras (7th-gen automatic and pre-TSB 1.5T) do deserve extra inspection.
Honda · CR-V
Honda CR-V — Years to Research
The CR-V's problem years are almost entirely tied to the 2017–2019 1.5T oil-dilution issue in cold climates. Everything else is a straightforward buy.
Honda · Odyssey
Honda Odyssey — Years to Research
The Odyssey is one of the two used minivans truly worth buying. Its problem years are focused on Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) oil consumption in the 3rd…
Honda · Pilot
Honda Pilot — Years to Research
The Pilot has essentially no mechanical failure years — but the early 3rd-gen 9-speed automatic created real drivability complaints that any buyer should feel…
Toyota · 4Runner
Toyota 4Runner — Years to Research
The 4Runner is one of the few modern SUVs with essentially no bad years in its current generation. The 4th gen is aging out; the 5th gen is nearly bulletproof.
Toyota · Camry
Toyota Camry — Years to Research
The Camry is one of the most reliable cars ever built, but a handful of specific model years and engine combinations deserve extra scrutiny. Skipping them…
Toyota · Corolla
Toyota Corolla — Years to Research
The Corolla is unusual in having no genuinely bad year in its modern history. But rust, worn CVT fluid, and rental-fleet abuse still create weaker examples…
Toyota · Highlander
Toyota Highlander — Years to Research
The Highlander is one of the most reliable used SUVs on the market. The 'years to inspect' list is short — mostly early XU40 water pumps and one shared…
Toyota · Prius
Toyota Prius — Years to Research
The Prius has no truly bad years — only aging batteries. Buying an older Prius means budgeting for a battery someday, which is still cheaper than most…
Toyota · RAV4
Toyota RAV4 — Years to Research
There is really only one RAV4 window most buyers should walk away from — the 2006–2008 four-cylinder and rusty XA30s — plus a couple of years that simply need…
Toyota · Tacoma
Toyota Tacoma — Years to Research
The Tacoma has two things to inspect before buying: frame condition on 2005–2010 trucks, and transmission calibration on 2016–2019 trucks. Both are…