Car complaints, housing disputes top the list of consumer grievances, report finds

(InvestigateTV) - Auto-related issues topped the list of consumer complaints reported to state and local consumer protection agencies for the tenth consecutive year, according to a new report from the Consumer Federation of America. [CBS7]

Vehicle-related grievances dominated consumer complaints filed with state and local protection agencies throughout 2024, marking the tenth straight year that automotive issues have ranked atop the list, according to a report released by the Consumer Federation of America.

The complaint data came from state and local consumer protection offices that fielded approximately 310,000 grievances during the year and successfully recouped more than $890 million on behalf of aggrieved consumers. Katie McCann, an administrative and advocacy associate with the CFA, highlighted the significance of this recovery figure and the commitment demonstrated by the agencies handling these complaints.

Automotive complaints—encompassing transactions involving new vehicles, pre-owned cars, vehicle leases, repair services and related matters—captured the top position in the rankings. McCann underscored why this category proves so consequential for everyday consumers, noting that vehicles serve essential functions ranging from commuting to work to transporting children and accessing necessities like groceries.

Housing disputes, primarily involving landlord and tenant disagreements, claimed the second ranking. Professional services complaints, which encompassed disputes with contractors and home repair providers, finished third. Retail grievances, including those involving internet shopping platforms, occupied the fourth spot, while complaints centered on financial services products and transactions ranked fifth. The remaining five categories in the top 10 featured utilities, medical care, travel services, dining and hospitality sectors.

McCann encouraged consumers facing similar mistreatment to pursue formal complaints through their respective state or local consumer protection agencies. She explained that individual complaints can accumulate into larger legal actions that yield benefits extending well beyond the original complainant. "Your complaint might feature in a huge lawsuit down the road that might not only give you a refund but everyone who was wronged by that corporation," McCann said.

According to McCann, the nearly $900 million recovered by the surveyed agencies demonstrates the tangible impact that filing complaints can produce. She emphasized that consumers possess considerable leverage through these institutional mechanisms dedicated to challenging unfair and deceptive business conduct.