You’d think that with all the sensors, cameras, and "smart" tech we're packing into cars these days, they’d basically last forever without a hiccup. Well, think again. The JD Power dependability study just dropped some truth bombs that are making a lot of car buyers rethink that shiny new lease.
Honestly, it's a bit of a mess. For the first time in a long while, cars are actually becoming less dependable as they age. We aren't talking about old beaters from the 90s either. We’re talking about three-year-old vehicles—the ones that are supposed to be in their prime.
The industry average for problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) has climbed to 202 in the most recent 2025 data. That is a noticeable jump from the 190 PP100 we saw in 2024. If you feel like your car is constantly nagging you with a "check engine" light or a glitchy screen, you aren't imagining it. You've officially joined the club of frustrated modern drivers.
What’s Killing the JD Power Dependability Study Scores?
If you want someone to blame, look at your dashboard. Infotainment is the absolute king of headaches right now. It accounts for twice as many problems as the next highest category. We’re talking about those sleek touchscreens that refuse to connect to your phone or the voice recognition system that thinks "Call Mom" means "Navigate to the nearest Taco Bell."
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Connectivity is a disaster zone. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto issues are the top complaints, and it’s not even close. People want their car to work like their smartphone, but the hardware just isn't keeping up.
It’s kinda ironic. Automakers are spending billions to make cars "high-tech," but that very tech is what’s tanking their reputations in the JD Power dependability study.
The Pandemic Hangover is Real
Frank Hanley and the team at J.D. Power pointed out something pretty interesting: the "pandemic effect." The cars being studied right now (model years 2021 and 2022) were built when the world was upside down. Factories were closing. Parts were scarce. The workforce was stressed.
Basically, these cars were born in chaos.
When you combine supply chain shortcuts with rushed software development, you get a vehicle that starts falling apart—digitally or physically—around the three-year mark. It’s a "perfect storm" of bad timing.
Who Actually Won? (The Names You'd Expect)
Even in a bad year, someone has to be at the top of the heap. Lexus is basically the valedictorian that refuses to let anyone else have the trophy. For 2025, Lexus took the top spot overall for the third year in a row. They finished with a score of 140 PP100.
Toyota is right there behind them, taking the crown for the mass-market segment.
- Lexus (140 PP100)
- Buick (143 PP100)
- Toyota (162 PP100)
It's wild to see Buick so high up, right? They’ve quietly become a reliability powerhouse, consistently beating out brands like Honda and Mazda. Meanwhile, the bottom of the list is a bit of a "who’s who" of luxury headaches. Land Rover, Audi, and Chrysler are still struggling to stay out of the basement.
The Electric Vehicle Problem
EVs are supposed to be simpler because they have fewer moving parts. No oil changes, no spark plugs, no transmissions to blow.
In theory, they should dominate the JD Power dependability study.
But they don't. Not yet, anyway.
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Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are currently reporting way more problems than traditional gas-powered cars. PHEVs are actually the worst of the bunch right now, hitting a staggering 242 PP100.
A big chunk of this is tires. BEVs are heavy. They produce instant torque. Because of that, owners are replacing tires at a rate that would make a NASCAR pit crew blush. About 39% of BEV owners replaced tires in the last year, compared to just 20% of gas car owners. That gets expensive fast.
Why You Should Care About These Rankings
Look, these numbers aren't just for bragging rights in TV commercials. They affect your wallet.
When a brand consistently ranks low in the JD Power dependability study, its resale value usually takes a nosedive. Nobody wants to buy a five-year-old car that’s known for having a possessed infotainment system or a finicky powertrain.
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On the flip side, if you're looking at a Toyota Camry or a Lexus RX, you're buying into a track record. These models took home segment awards again because they just... work. The Toyota Avalon (rest in peace) actually scored as the most dependable individual model in the 2025 study, which is hilarious because Toyota doesn't even make it anymore. It’s like the car is too good to exist.
Is the Study Fair?
Some people hate on J.D. Power. The common complaint is that they weight a "broken engine" the same as a "confusing radio menu."
That’s a fair point. If your transmission explodes, that’s a way bigger deal than your Bluetooth dropping a call. However, for most modern drivers, a screen that goes black every Tuesday is a massive "quality" issue. If you can't use your navigation or climate controls because the software is lagging, the car is failing you.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Purchase
If you're in the market for a car and these stats have you spooked, here’s how to use the data to your advantage:
- Avoid the First Year: The data shows that "new" or "redesigned" models have way more issues than "carryover" models. If a car just got a total makeover, wait two years for the manufacturer to patch the software bugs.
- Check the Infotainment: Before you buy, spend 20 minutes just playing with the screen. Connect your phone. Use the voice commands. If it's laggy on the dealership lot, it’s going to be a nightmare in three years.
- Look at the "Long Game": Don't just look at Initial Quality (the 90-day report). Look at the JD Power dependability study to see how the car holds up after the "new car smell" wears off.
- Consider Hybrids over PHEVs: Currently, standard hybrids are showing fewer issues than their plug-in cousins. They seem to be the "sweet spot" of reliability right now.
- Watch the Tires on EVs: If you're going electric, factor in the cost of high-performance tires every 20,000 miles. It's the "hidden tax" of owning a heavy, torquey BEV.
The reality is that "dependability" is a moving target. As cars become more like computers on wheels, the definition of a "broken car" is changing. You might not be stranded on the side of the road as often, but you'll definitely be spending more time waiting for software updates to finish.