But if you're thinking that means it's a good time for a luxury off-roader with British heritage, you should know that the two brands were near the bottom of the 2026 JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study. At the top of the list are two brands you expect, and more than a few you wouldn't.
The New Cars You Can Rely On
If you're having dependability problems on a recently purchased vehicle, there's a notable reason for it. The latest JD Power survey on three-year vehicle reliability shows most brands have slid backward. This year's study, which covers model year 2023 vehicles, was the worst for dependability since the study was re-written in 2022. If you were hoping more over-the-air updates might help, you're even more out of luck.
The worst automaker had 301 problems per 100 vehicles. If you're expecting to see Ford right now, think again. That's the abysmal figure that Volkswagen posted in this year's study. It was at the very bottom of the list last year, too, with 285 problems per 100 vehicles. Volvo, a brand we generally associate with reliability, was next with 296, and Land Rover owners reported 274. Jeep was also pretty far down the list at 267. We can't help wondering if the 4xe problems have anything to do with it.
The top of the list should come as no surprise. Lexus, with half the reported problems of Volkswagen owners at 151, led the group. Buick scored 160 to secure second place. Mini was a surprise third, with Cadillac and Chevrolet rounding out the top five. That means General Motors, while not at the very top, had three brands in the top five positions. Honda fell below average a few years back, and remains short of it this year. Acura is even further down the list.
There are some strange results, however. Chevrolet is near the top at 178 but GMC, which literally has the same vehicles under different bodies, is near the bottom with 229 problems per 100 vehicles. We suspect the difference could be that more GMC truck buyers have the troublesome 6.2-liter V8 and the recall issues that come with it. The Ram 1500 was the highest-scoring pickup, with Silverado next. GMC's Sierra and the Ford F-150 tied for third.
Speaking of Ford, despite having the worst recall year by a long shot in 2025, its reliability score isn't near the bottom. It is well below the industry average, however, at 228. That ranks just above GMC, but also outshines brands like Mercedes-Benz and Audi, which are further down in the ranking.
As for the most dependable vehicle of them all, JD Power doesn't break out individual scores so we can't see comparative statistics. But the Lexus IS was crowned the top model overall. Toyota and Lexus combined for eight model awards, while GM had four.
Methodology Of The Study And Overall Takeaways
The study surveys drivers of vehicles from three model years back to find out what problems they've had. There are 184 problem areas and nine categories. JD Power reports that 40% of owners have gotten a software update in the last year, but only 27% of owners said they felt it improved the vehicle. 15% said the update made things worse, and OTA updates caused a 14% increase in problems.
When it comes to powertrain, PHEV models fared the worst, up 39 problems per 100 vehicles to 281. EVs sit at 237 and hybrids at 213, while gas models sit at 198. Infotainment system problems remain the biggest problem area, with 56.7 problems per 100 vehicles reported.
When it comes to powertrain, PHEV models fared the worst, up 39 problems per 100 vehicles to 281. EVs sit at 237 and hybrids at 213, while gas models sit at 198. Infotainment system problems remain the biggest problem area, with 56.7 problems per 100 vehicles reported.
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