Car Dependability Hits Historic Low, New Research Finds

Cars nowadays offer a lot more than they used to: semi-autonomous driving, better fuel efficiency, and greater safety features, to name a few. But new research found that there’s one quality in short supply across the industry: dependability.

According to J.D. Power’s latest Vehicle Dependability Study, owners of 2022 vehicles have reported more problems than any group since 2009. The study, which surveyed owners of three-year-old cars, found that quality issues from the COVID-19 pandemic era are still lingering in vehicle production, even as the industry makes progress on other fronts.

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Pandemic disruptions led to reliability issues

The study surveyed 34,175 owners of 2022 model-year vehicles, measuring the number of problems per 100 cars. The results show a significant drop in quality compared to previous years, which is not entirely unexpected.

“While the increase in problems this year may be a thorn in the side of automakers and owners, it’s important to remember that today’s three-year-old vehicles were built during a time when the industry was grappling with major disruptions,” said Jason Norton, director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power.

During the early 2020s, automakers faced factory closures, part shortages, and supply chain delays. This forced them to build cars under difficult conditions, and it appears those struggles are now showing up in long-term reliability ratings.

Software issues lead the list of complaints

The most common reliability issue reported? Problems with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. These systems, which allow users to mirror their smartphone screens onto their car’s infotainment system, have been plagued by software bugs.

J.D. Power noted that while automakers promise fixes through over-the-air (OTA) updates, they don’t always work as intended. Of the owners surveyed, 36% said their car had received an OTA update, but only 30% saw an improvement. More than half (56%) reported no noticeable change after receiving an update.

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Hybrid vehicles prove to be the most reliable

Among different powertrain types, hybrid vehicles showed the fewest reported issues. Here’s how each category stacked up in terms of reported problems per 100 vehicles:

• Hybrids: 199
• Gas-powered vehicles: 200
• Electric vehicles: 223
• Diesel-powered vehicles: 233
• Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs): 242

EV reliability is improving, with 33 fewer problems per 100 vehicles than in last year’s study. However, PHEVs saw a drop in quality, likely due to their complex dual powertrain system.

The 10 most dependable car brands

J.D. Power ranked car brands based on the number of problems per 100 vehicles. Here’s how the top 10 performed:

1. Lexus: 140 problems per 100 vehicles

Lexus once again dominated the dependability study, cementing its reputation for long-term reliability. The brand’s best-performing model was the Lexus GX, which ranked as the most dependable midsize premium SUV.

2. Buick: 143 problems per 100 vehicles

Buick took second place, proving that General Motors’ premium brand knows how to build reliable vehicles. While no particular model ranked at the top of its category in reliability, the overall brand managed to make relatively dependable cars even in the midst of a pandemic.

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3. Mazda: 161 problems per 100 vehicles

Mazda continues to impress with simple yet durable engineering. Like Buick, none of Mazda’s vehicles ranked at the top of their respective categories, but the overall brand’s low number of reported problems still puts it among the best in the industry.

4. Toyota – 162 problems per 100 vehicles

Toyota’s reputation for reliability remains strong. The Toyota Camry, Corolla, Tacoma, and RAV4 all ranked as the most dependable vehicles in their respective segments.

5. Cadillac – 169 problems per 100 vehicles (tied)

Cadillac tied for fifth place, showing that GM’s luxury brand is making strides in dependability. The Cadillac XT6 led the pack in the upper midsize premium SUV category.

5. Chevrolet – 169 problems per 100 Vehicles (tied)

Chevrolet also secured a fifth-place tie. Notably, the Chevrolet Silverado, Silverado HD, and Chevrolet Tahoe were ranked the most reliable in their respective segments.

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6. GMC – 181 problems per 100 vehicles

GMC landed in sixth place, with the GMC Acadia named the most dependable upper midsize SUV. The brand’s focus on durability continues to pay off in long-term reliability.

7. Porsche – 186 problems per 100 vehicles

Luxury performance brand Porsche showed strong dependability, proving that performance and complexity don’t always mean more problems.

8. BMW – 189 problems per 100 vehicles

BMW’s dependability ranking suggests that the brand is improving quality control, with the BMW 3 Series taking the top spot for the most reliable compact premium car.

9. Mini – 190 problems per 100 vehicles

Mini’s small cars have proven to be surprisingly durable. Although they can sometimes come at a premium, Mini remains a solid choice for drivers looking for a fun yet dependable vehicle.

10. Kia – 196 problems per 100 vehicles

Kia rounded out the top 10, with the Kia Sedona winning the award for the most reliable minivan. Kia’s vehicles continue to improve in long-term quality.

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The least dependable car brands

At the other end of the rankings, some automakers fared much worse in the study, struggling with high numbers of reported issues. Volkswagen, Chrysler, Jeep, Audi, and Land Rover had the highest number of reported issues per 100 cars, between 270 and 285 across the brands.

Tesla was left out of J.D. Power’s official brand rankings due to the company’s policy of not allowing surveys to be conducted in a handful of states. However, the study still gathered data from owners in other states, showing that Tesla vehicles had 209 problems per 100 vehicles, slightly above the industry average.

Final thoughts

While some brands showed strong dependability, the overall industry average rose to 202 problems per 100 vehicles—12 more than last year.

It will be interesting to see whether future vehicle generations improve as supply chains face potential new threats from a wave of proposed tariffs thanks to the Trump administration. For now, buyers looking for long-term dependability may want to stick with brands like Lexus, Toyota, and Buick, which have consistently performed well in these rankings.

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