Hassles related to buying new or used vehicles top the annual list of most frequent consumer complaints, according to a survey released Nov. 24, the Associated Press (AP) has reported.

The National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators, which represents government agencies that protect American shoppers, and the Consumer Federation of America, a citizens advocacy group, compiled the top 10 list for 2002 from complaints to state and local consumer-protection agencies, AP said.

Top 10 Consumer Complaints

1. Automobile sales

2. Home repairs

3. Automotive repairs

4. Credit

5. Advertising/telemarketing

6. Bill collecting/practices

7. Household goods (tie)

7. Internet/e-commerce (tie)

7. Telecommunications/cable & satellite TV (tie)

7. Real estate/landlord-tenant relationships (tie)

Source: The National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators and the Consumer Federation of America via AP

Those agencies said they returned $130 million to wronged consumers last year, an 18 percent increase over 2001, according to AP.

Complaints about automobile purchases moved up from the No. 2 spot on 2001 list. It replaced home repairs, which fell to second place. Those categories have occupied the top two spots for the last five years, AP said.

Among the most frequent complaints about buying autos were false sales promotions, misleading advertising, financing problems, undisclosed damage, and title and registration problems, according to AP.

Complaints about cell phones were among the fastest-growing areas of consumer angst, AP said.

"Consumer problems with cell phone plans, online auctions and purchases made over the Internet are catching up with perennial complaints about big-ticket purchases," said Jean Ann Fox, the Consumer Federation's protection director.

The consumer agencies said they are not getting enough money from financially strapped state and local governments to handle the increasing level of complaints. In 2002, for example, consumer protection agency budgets rose an average of 4 percent, while the number of complaints rose 23 percent, according to AP.

The 43 consumer agencies surveyed handled 300,000 complaints in 2002, AP reported.

James Willingham, chairman of Automotive Retailing Today (ART), said this annual survey is misleading because it does not distinguish between complaints about new-car vs. used-car sales and service.

A 2003 survey by Wirthlin Worldwide, sponsored by ART, found that 94 percent of new-car buyers were satisfied with their dealership experience. Recent consumer surveys by Gallup, Consumer Reports and Ernst & Young found similarly positive results, according to ART.