Kiran Menon
Vehicle History Writer
About
Kiran has been a fan of automobiles ever since he was a kid, thanks in part to auto magazines and TV shows like Top Gear. Fast forward a few years, and this obsession eventually led him to earn a degree in automotive engineering. He now writes about all things motoring for Vehicle History and HotCars after starting his auto journalism career as a features writer for CarHP.
About
Kiran has been a fan of automobiles ever since he was a kid, thanks in part to auto magazines and TV shows like Top Gear. Fast forward a few years, and this obsession eventually led him to earn a degree in automotive engineering. He now writes about all things motoring for Vehicle History and HotCars after starting his auto journalism career as a features writer for CarHP.
Articles
The spacious Honda Pilot is an excellent utilitarian vehicle for families looking for a decent midsize SUV. However, properly test drive the 2013 model year as it has known transmission issues like...
May 16, 2022
The 2013 Soul belonged to the first generation of Kia’s quirky little crossover. Though smartly designed, the subcompact SUV is marred by engine failure, fire risk, and steering issues. Despite 2013...
May 12, 2022
Fans of the Volvo XC60 will love its compact dimensions and minimalist styling. But beware of the crossover’s six-speed transmission, which has a reputation for delayed shifts, hesitation, and...
May 9, 2022
The Acura RDX is on par with BMWs and Audis when it comes to features and ride comfort. However, the 2018 model, despite offering good value, had a few run-ins with reliability. Problems like...
May 3, 2022
Launched in 2017, the Maserati Levante is the brand’s first-ever SUV. Although the trident-bearing Italian came with a Ferrari-derived engine, things were not good reliability-wise. Early model years...
May 2, 2022
Slotted between the Chevy Equinox and Tahoe, the three-row Traverse debuted for 2009 as a replacement for the Trailblazer. Although the SUV had several things going for it, early model years, like the...
Apr 29, 2022
With a 244-horsepower V6 taking care of propulsion, the roomy Honda Pilot should fulfill all utilitarian needs without much fuss. That said, earlier model years, especially 2007, had problems with...
Apr 28, 2022
The 2015 Toyota Highlander is a competitive player in the midsize SUV space. Although it’s famously reliable, problems exist, albeit in small numbers. Out of the few complaints, the most prominent are...
Mar 23, 2022
The 2013 Highlander’s choice of naturally aspirated and hybrid engines aren’t as sophisticated nor efficient as some of its competitors. They miss out on cylinder deactivation and...
Mar 18, 2022
If you’re looking for a sensible daily driver, the 2011 Accord’s available 2.4L and 3.5L gasoline engines have you covered. Both engines have an excellent reputation for reliability and...
Mar 15, 2022
Fans of Mopar love the Ram 1500. However, it’s far from being a reliable pickup, and that’s despite winning Motor Trend‘s Truck of the Year award. Problems range from 2012’s cam lifter...
Mar 4, 2022
The Tacoma is a solid pickup truck. While most years live up to its name, some models haven’t, receiving double-digit recalls and several hundred consumer complaints. But at the end of the day, it’s...
Feb 24, 2022
A top contender in the full-size SUV market, Chevy’s Suburban easily accommodates a family of eight. But like most vehicles, it has its fair share of problems, including amassing recalls and...
Feb 24, 2022
Although Honda Civic is considered reliable, several recalls and consumer complaints mar the compact car’s worst years. But, it’s still a Civic. Even the least reliable models are cheaper...
Feb 17, 2022
The Toyota Camry has an excellent reputation for reliability, but some years have shown to be quite the opposite, with recalls aplenty. But most model years have done very well, scoring excellent...
Feb 14, 2022
Honda’s CR-V is considered dependable by owners and auto critics. But some years, like 2010 and 2011’s high recall count over multiple dangerous airbag issues, have been problematic. On...
Feb 7, 2022
Some of the 2015 F-150’s reported issues with brake fluid leaks, electrical shorts, and doors that fly open are very concerning. But the number of dissatisfied owners is overshadowed by the...
Feb 2, 2022
The Tesla Model 3 has wooed EV fans with its elegance, bagged several awards, and is one of the most popular electric vehicles on the market. But, it’s not perfect. Questionable build quality has...
Feb 1, 2022
One of the best years for the Nissan Altima costs as little as $1,800, has two recalls, and is 20 years old. Another is much newer and falls into the worst category, with a dozen recalls and over...
Jan 26, 2022
Ford Escape’s recent model years have garnered quite a foothold on the compact SUV market. However, the model’s earlier years weren’t as impressive. For instance, the 2013 Escape turned out to...
Jan 24, 2022
A 2013 Chevy Cruze is an attractive buy thanks to its myriad of features at an affordable price. However, this model year carries five recalls and hundreds of complaints–with some problems being...
Jan 22, 2022
From the bare-bones Base model work truck to the Denali’s plush and feature-rich interior with Bose sound system, the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 is a versatile vehicle perfect for virtually any...
Jan 22, 2022
The 2011 Toyota Highlander is a midsize SUV with an excellent reputation for reliability. Although used examples are on the pricier side, it is undoubtedly a robust people carrier. Of its three...
Jan 12, 2022
Find the 2016 Toyota Corolla in a number of available trims, ranging from the reasonably priced L with steel wheels, up to the Special Edition model’s black leather seating and push-button...
Jan 11, 2022
The Kia Optima is a reasonably priced midsize sedan. But the 2016 model year received four recalls, two investigations, and several complaints about problems ranging from transmission shudders and...
Jan 6, 2022