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Top 10 Most Frequently Towed Cars

From K Olsen, Featured Contributor
Posted on October 2, 2008

Here are the cars I see most frequently on the business end of my tow truck

The number one reason I end up towing a vehicle is because of an accident. I do tend to see either SUVs and sport cars in this category, because people think they can out drive everyone else or handle anything. So, they skid off the road or get hit from behind due to bad driving decisions. The second most common reason I tow vehicles is because people ignore recalls. If there is a recall on your car or truck, it means there is something wrong, and you need to get it fixed.

Still, I do see certain cars more often than others in my line of work, and here are the top 10, in no particular order. Bear in mind that this was not compiled scientifically, just based on what I see. Again, most of the problems I see are connected with bad driving or failure to maintain the car properly.

  1. 1Ford Explorer

    This SUV can tip over at high speeds with sharp turns.

  2. 2Jeep Wrangler

    The Jeep Wrangler can overturn if taking turns too fast, and will break axles if driven in very rough terrain.

  3. 3Pontiac Grand Prix

    The automatic transmission has several issues, and fuel leaks can leave people stranded.

  4. 4Lincoln Navigator

    The automatic transmission needs work, and in certain cases the emergency brake must be left on or it will roll away (this is a recall! Get it fixed.) Also, there are many leaks and electrical problems, some recalled, some not that can cause small fires.

  5. 5Volkswagen New Beetle

    The Bug's braking system isn't what it could be. In my experience, they don't stop as well as the people who are driving them think they will, which can cause accidents.

  6. 6Chevrolet Equinox

    There are various steering problems with this car. Also, people seem to think they can drive it like a sports car which it is not, causing many accidents

  7. 7Dodge Durango

    People tend to take turns faster than this vehicle likes.

  8. 8Toyota Highlander

    The ECM's adjustable system can cause the vehicle to lurch.

  9. 9Hyundai Tiburon

    People who drive these cars just seem to crash them. I'm not totally sure why, but it seems like there are some problems with the brakes.

  10. 10Cadillac Escalade

    ABS (anti-lock brakes) can activate at low speeds along with other brake issues. There was also a recall on a few years for the steering system that led to a lot of tows.

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K Olsen is a featured contributor for vLane.
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Displaying 1-3 of 3 comments
  • Flag
    From Anonymous
    Commented on December 21, 2008

    I'm not to sure how accurate the pole is, Ive owned my 03 explorer for 3yrs now and have only been towed once, I see when I'm driving on the expressways there alot of forien cars being towed 2 so I think that it probably go both ways. All well drive safe.

  • Flag
    From Anonymous
    Commented on November 12, 2008

    notice how 7/10 of them are american cars. 1 is german and 2 are japanese. that just goes to show u how &#!@ american cars are.

  • Flag
    From towtruckmafia
    Commented on October 2, 2008

    I've towed alot of vehicles due to accidents, but can't come up with more of one than another really. Mechanical breakdowns however, I see alot of the Ford Power Stroke trucks on my wheel lift. Unfortunate because that's what's under the hood of my towtruck too.

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