VinCanary

The Canary Index · Compact SUVs · 2016–2023

48 year-models. Ten safe bets. Three dead canaries.

Gas RAV4s before the 2019 redesign and the settled late Equinoxes are the quiet money; the redesign years, the Rogue's CVT run, and the Tucson's Theta-II engine years squawk on schedule; and the segment's floor is an engine you walk away from — the oil-diluting CR-V year and the coolant-drinking 2017–2018 Escapes that crack their own blocks.

6 models · 48 full year-reports · 27,885 federal complaints analyzed · ranked by Canary Status, ordered by complaints per 100k sold

How this ranking works

Canary Status sets the tier. A human-read verdict weighing severity, cost, and coverage — a $4,500 engine outranks a hundred rattle complaints.

The complaint rate orders each tier. Complaints per 100,000 sold — a rate, not a raw count, so big sellers aren’t punished for selling.

Engine-specific trouble gets flagged, not hidden. When one engine drives a year’s noise, the row says so — the VIN tells you which engine yours has.

Calm10 yearsThe safe bets — buy with a normal used-car inspection.
Chevrolet
2023 Equinox

The quietest year of the run — the settled final year of the gas Equinox before the redesign.

39
complaints / 100k sold
84 complaints · 3 recalls
Full report →
Toyota
2022 RAV4

The quietest year of the generation — the numbers finally match the reputation.

39
complaints / 100k sold
157 complaints · 3 recalls
Full report →
Hyundai
2021 Tucson

The quietest third-gen year — close out the ABS-fire recall and it's a clean pick.

48
complaints / 100k sold
72 complaints · 1 recall
Full report →
Chevrolet
2021 Equinox

The complaint numbers finally collapse — the settled third-gen year to actually hunt for.

Engine flag: this is 1.5L turbo I4 trouble — the 2.4L Ecotec I4, 2.0L turbo I4, and 1.6L turbodiesel don’t share it. Which engine is in yours? →

52
complaints / 100k sold
86 complaints · 4 recalls
Full report →
Toyota
2016 RAV4

A safe buy — just make sure the battery recall was actually done.

66
complaints / 100k sold
233 complaints · 3 recalls
Full report →
Ford
2023 Escape

The quietest fourth-gen year — but the hybrid engine-fire recall means a free long-block, so verify it.

Engine flag: this is 2.5L hybrid I4 and 2.5L PHEV I4 trouble — the 2.5L Duratec I4, 1.5L EcoBoost I4, 2.0L EcoBoost I4, and 1.5L EcoBoost I3 don’t share it. Which engine is in yours? →

72
complaints / 100k sold
101 complaints · 11 recalls
Full report →
Chevrolet
2022 Equinox

Reads noisier than it is — most of the extra file is chip-shortage feature glitches, not broken engines.

Engine flag: this is 1.5L turbo I4 trouble — the 2.4L Ecotec I4, 2.0L turbo I4, and 1.6L turbodiesel don’t share it. Which engine is in yours? →

72
complaints / 100k sold
152 complaints · 5 recalls
Full report →
Toyota
2017 RAV4

One of the cheapest years to own — verify the battery recall and buy with confidence.

74
complaints / 100k sold
301 complaints · 3 recalls
Full report →
Toyota
2018 RAV4

The last year of the proven formula — buy it before the market fully catches on.

80
complaints / 100k sold
341 complaints · 3 recalls
Full report →
Honda
2016 CR-V

A solid buy — the last CR-V before the turbo era's problems.

109
complaints / 100k sold
388 complaints · 3 recalls
Full report →
Chirping14 yearsThe homework years — buyable, each with one specific check.
Toyota
2023 RAV4

Mechanically sorted — but two open software recalls need to show as closed on the VIN.

46
complaints / 100k sold
202 complaints · 3 recalls
Full report →
Nissan
2020 Rogue

The quietest gen-2 year on paper, but it carries the same uncovered CVT risk — a clean test drive is what makes or breaks it.

641
complaints / 100k sold
147 complaints · 1 recall
Full report →
Hyundai
2023 Tucson

Settling down after the launch — but the oil-pump fire recall and injector pattern still need checking.

77
complaints / 100k sold
162 complaints · 2 recalls
Full report →
Honda
2021 CR-V

A strong used pick — one steering check away from easy.

84
complaints / 100k sold
305 complaints · 4 recalls
Full report →
Honda
2022 CR-V

The year to buy — the cleanest CR-V of this generation.

96
complaints / 100k sold
228 complaints · 3 recalls
Full report →
Honda
2020 CR-V

One of the better value years — if the recall work is done.

99
complaints / 100k sold
329 complaints · 7 recalls
Full report →
Toyota
2021 RAV4

The gas and hybrid are turning the corner — the Prime carries its own recall baggage.

121
complaints / 100k sold
494 complaints · 5 recalls
Full report →
Nissan
2022 Rogue

The gen-3 settles down, but the same VC-Turbo engine recall applies — buy one with that campaign confirmed complete.

Engine flag: this is 1.5L VC-Turbo 3-cyl trouble — the 2.5L QR25DE + Jatco CVT doesn’t share it. Which engine is in yours? →

1281
complaints / 100k sold
239 complaints · 6 recalls
Full report →
Hyundai
2020 Tucson

One of the calmer third-gen years — verify the ABS-fire recall and you've done the hard part.

137
complaints / 100k sold
170 complaints · 1 recall
Full report →
Honda
2023 CR-V

A reasonable buy — after you verify the steering recall took.

139
complaints / 100k sold
502 complaints · 4 recalls
Full report →
Ford
2022 Escape

Settled gas cars, but the plug-in still leans on the engine-fire and battery recalls.

Engine flag: this is 2.5L hybrid I4 and 2.5L PHEV I4 trouble — the 2.5L Duratec I4, 1.5L EcoBoost I4, 2.0L EcoBoost I4, and 1.5L EcoBoost I3 don’t share it. Which engine is in yours? →

215
complaints / 100k sold
295 complaints · 19 recalls
Full report →
Ford
2021 Escape

Much quieter than the 2020 launch — but the hybrid engine-fire and battery recalls still apply.

Engine flag: this is 2.5L hybrid I4 and 2.5L PHEV I4 trouble — the 2.5L Duratec I4, 1.5L EcoBoost I4, 2.0L EcoBoost I4, and 1.5L EcoBoost I3 don’t share it. Which engine is in yours? →

236
complaints / 100k sold
343 complaints · 19 recalls
Full report →
Hyundai
2019 Tucson

The engine noise is fading, but the ABS-fire recall is the one you must see closed.

269
complaints / 100k sold
369 complaints · 1 recall
Full report →
Ford
2016 Escape

The last of the 1.6L EcoBoost years — fine as a 2.5L, a gamble as a turbo.

Engine flag: this is 2.5L Duratec I4 and 2.0L EcoBoost I4 trouble — the 1.5L EcoBoost I4, 1.5L EcoBoost I3, 2.5L hybrid I4, and 2.5L PHEV I4 don’t share it. Which engine is in yours? →

332
complaints / 100k sold
1,018 complaints · 4 recalls
Full report →
Squawking21 yearsProof-of-repair territory — only buy with the documentation in hand.
Chevrolet
2019 Equinox

The year the hard-brake-pedal and reduced-power stories both peak — buy one with the charge-air-cooler fix done.

Engine flag: this is 1.5L turbo I4 trouble — the 2.4L Ecotec I4, 2.0L turbo I4, and 1.6L turbodiesel don’t share it. Which engine is in yours? →

84
complaints / 100k sold
289 complaints · 4 recalls
Full report →
Chevrolet
2017 Equinox

The last second-gen year — cleanest recall record, but the same 2.4L oil habit runs underneath.

Engine flag: this is 2.4L Ecotec I4 trouble — the 1.5L turbo I4, 2.0L turbo I4, and 1.6L turbodiesel don’t share it. Which engine is in yours? →

93
complaints / 100k sold
270 complaints · 0 recalls*
Full report →
Nissan
2021 Rogue

A far better-built Rogue that launched with a heavy recall stack — including an engine-bearing recall — so buy one with every campaign confirmed complete.

Engine flag: this is 1.5L VC-Turbo 3-cyl trouble — the 2.5L QR25DE + Jatco CVT doesn’t share it. Which engine is in yours? →

941
complaints / 100k sold
268 complaints · 10 recalls
Full report →
Nissan
2019 Rogue

Fewer complaints than the 2016–2018 cars, but with worse CVT coverage — the settlement stopped at 2018, so verify the transmission carefully.

941
complaints / 100k sold
329 complaints · 3 recalls
Full report →
Chevrolet
2020 Equinox

The brake-vacuum-pump cluster carries into 2020 — the last of the loud third-gen years.

Engine flag: this is 1.5L turbo I4 trouble — the 2.4L Ecotec I4, 2.0L turbo I4, and 1.6L turbodiesel don’t share it. Which engine is in yours? →

107
complaints / 100k sold
291 complaints · 4 recalls
Full report →
Chevrolet
2018 Equinox

First year of the downsized third generation — the 1.5T's reduced-power and cooling gremlins arrive here.

Engine flag: this is 1.5L turbo I4 trouble — the 2.4L Ecotec I4, 2.0L turbo I4, and 1.6L turbodiesel don’t share it. Which engine is in yours? →

117
complaints / 100k sold
388 complaints · 5 recalls
Full report →
Nissan
2017 Rogue

The peak year for CVT complaints in this generation — a good buy only if the transmission is proven healthy or already replaced.

1461
complaints / 100k sold
588 complaints · 5 recalls
Full report →
Nissan
2018 Rogue

The last Rogue year covered by the CVT settlement — but that coverage is spent, so the transmission still has to prove itself.

1481
complaints / 100k sold
609 complaints · 3 recalls
Full report →
Toyota
2020 RAV4

Second verse, same as the first — demand proof the recall work is done before you pay.

148
complaints / 100k sold
637 complaints · 6 recalls
Full report →
Chevrolet
2016 Equinox

A second-generation 2.4L that quietly drinks oil — buyable only with the timing-chain and oil history in hand.

Engine flag: this is 2.4L Ecotec I4 trouble — the 1.5L turbo I4, 2.0L turbo I4, and 1.6L turbodiesel don’t share it. Which engine is in yours? →

161
complaints / 100k sold
391 complaints · 1 recall
Full report →
Nissan
2016 Rogue

A comfortable, cheap-to-buy family SUV riding on a CVT whose warranty safety net has now expired — buy only with the transmission proven healthy.

162
complaints / 100k sold
535 complaints · 7 recalls
Full report →
Toyota
2019 RAV4

Redesign-year risk is real — only buy one with the recall and program work documented.

198
complaints / 100k sold
889 complaints · 8 recalls
Full report →
Ford
2019 Escape

The last gen-3 year — coolant intrusion is fading, but only on cars built after the April 2019 cutoff.

Engine flag: this is 1.5L EcoBoost I4 and 2.0L EcoBoost I4 trouble — the 2.5L Duratec I4, 1.5L EcoBoost I3, 2.5L hybrid I4, and 2.5L PHEV I4 don’t share it. Which engine is in yours? →

231
complaints / 100k sold
557 complaints · 3 recalls
Full report →
Nissan
2023 Rogue

The loudest year in our entire Rogue set — driven by the VC-Turbo engine-bearing failure — so only buy one with the engine recall completed and no knock.

Engine flag: this is 1.5L VC-Turbo 3-cyl trouble — the 2.5L QR25DE + Jatco CVT doesn’t share it. Which engine is in yours? →

238
complaints / 100k sold
647 complaints · 6 recalls
Full report →
Hyundai
2018 Tucson

Quieter than 2016–2017, but the same engine coverage is exactly what you're buying for.

269
complaints / 100k sold
383 complaints · 1 recall
Full report →
Hyundai
2022 Tucson

A busy redesign launch — the injector and drivetrain patterns make paperwork essential.

Engine flag: this is 2.5L GDI Theta III (gen 4, gas) trouble — the 2.4L GDI / 2.0L Theta II (gen 3), 1.6L turbo + 7-speed dual-clutch (gen 3), and 1.6L turbo hybrid / plug-in (gen 4) don’t share it. Which engine is in yours? →

269
complaints / 100k sold
472 complaints · 3 recalls
Full report →
Honda
2019 CR-V

A sensible choice — but the VIN check is non-negotiable here.

275
complaints / 100k sold
1,057 complaints · 8 recalls
Full report →
Honda
2017 CR-V

Buyable — after you verify the oil-dilution fix and the recall sheet.

Engine flag: this is 1.5L turbo trouble — the 2.0L hybrid and 2.4L i-VTEC don’t share it. Which engine is in yours? →

457
complaints / 100k sold
1,726 complaints · 7 recalls
Full report →
Hyundai
2017 Tucson

The one Tucson year with its own engine-replacement recall — only buy one with that work proven done.

935
complaints / 100k sold
1,073 complaints · 3 recalls
Full report →
Ford
2020 Escape

The fourth-gen launch year — 23 recalls, an 8-speed shudder, and hybrid engine-fire campaigns to verify.

984
complaints / 100k sold
1,757 complaints · 23 recalls
Full report →
Hyundai
2016 Tucson

The engine story is real — buy only one with the bearing coverage and every recall documented.

1,796
complaints / 100k sold
1,611 complaints · 5 recalls
Full report →
Fainted3 yearsThe dead canary — walk away unless the repair is already done and documented.
Honda
2018 CR-V

Walk away — unless the engine work is already done and documented.

Engine flag: this is 1.5L turbo trouble — the 2.0L hybrid and 2.4L i-VTEC don’t share it. Which engine is in yours? →

547
complaints / 100k sold
2,072 complaints · 5 recalls
Full report →
Ford
2018 Escape

Still deep in the coolant-intrusion window — buy the 2.5L or a documented engine.

Engine flag: this is 1.5L EcoBoost I4 trouble — the 2.5L Duratec I4, 2.0L EcoBoost I4, 1.5L EcoBoost I3, 2.5L hybrid I4, and 2.5L PHEV I4 don’t share it. Which engine is in yours? →

629
complaints / 100k sold
1,711 complaints · 4 recalls
Full report →
Ford
2017 Escape

The 1.5L EcoBoost's first year — and the worst of the coolant-intrusion engine failures.

Engine flag: this is 1.5L EcoBoost I4 trouble — the 2.5L Duratec I4, 2.0L EcoBoost I4, 1.5L EcoBoost I3, 2.5L hybrid I4, and 2.5L PHEV I4 don’t share it. Which engine is in yours? →

849
complaints / 100k sold
2,617 complaints · 4 recalls
Full report →
  1. 1 For 2017–2022 Nissan reported the Rogue and the smaller Rogue Sport as a single “Rogue” figure; no Rogue-only number was published. The denominator includes Rogue Sport, so the rate reads slightly low.

Rates use published U.S. sales as the denominator — a rate, not a raw count, so best-sellers aren’t punished for selling. It’s imperfect on purpose and we say exactly where (the methodology page): sales aren’t surviving fleet, some makers publish entangled figures, and complaint filing is self-reported. * A “0 recalls*” mark is a verified zero — checked against the federal database and date-stamped, a point in that year’s favor.

“The average compact SUV is fine. You’re not buying the average — you’re buying one specific year of one specific badge.”
Why the Index ranks year-models, not models

Shortlisting from this board? We’ll watch your years.

New recalls, federal investigations, and quiet warranty programs land months after you buy. Tell the canary which years you’re considering — it sings when something changes.

Watch my years — free