Car Complaints Hit Record High in 2025, with "Model Transition Disputes" Taking Center Stage

According to the latest report from Chezhizheng (China Vehicle Quality Network), domestic sedan-related valid complaints in 2025 reached 128,986 cases, a year-on-year increase of 26.3%, accounting for 56.6% of all automotive complaints. Complaints against Chinese domestic brands surged by 51.9% year-over-year, reaching their highest share in four years, primarily driven by disputes over transitions between old and new model generations. German and other European brands also saw significant complaint increases of 52% and 32.9%, respectively, while Japanese, French, and Korean brands generally experienced declines. Issues during the early ownership period were particularly prominent: complaints concerning 2024 and 2025 model-year vehicles combined accounted for over 40% of total complaints, with those related to the 2025 models skyrocketing by 16.7 times—mainly involving infotainment system malfunctions and body water leaks. Additionally, complaints filed within six months of purchase or within the first 10,000 kilometers of driving showed a notable rise. On the quality front, complaints about tire cracking surged by 3.1 times, and transmission control module failures entered the top ten complaint categories for the first time. Although service-related complaints declined overall, disputes over deposits and unfulfilled promises soared by 3.7 times and 1.2 times, respectively, highlighting persistent gaps in sales practices and consumer rights protection.