How true is it that you should avoid 1st year cars due to unknown problems?

I have always heard that you should avoid the first year cars (new model or major redesign) because they have the most problems. Is this true or a wive's tale?

I was thinking about buying the 2016 Honda Civic, which underwent a major redesign, but I'm glad I didn't because they forgot to install some bolt in the engine which causes fires.

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