The J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) finds long-term ownership problems climbing again, driven by infotainment frustration, mixed results from software updates, and exterior-related complaints, while Lexus and Buick lead their segments.
Quick Take: The J.D. Power 2026 VDS reports an industry average of 204 problems per 100 vehicles, the highest recorded since the study’s 2022 redesign.
What’s new: Infotainment remains the most problematic category, and over-the-air software updates are common but often deliver little perceived benefit.
Why it matters: The study captures real-world issues reported by original owners of 2023 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership, offering a clearer view of long-term dependability.
Modern vehicles now rely on massive amounts of software, and that reality is showing up in the long-term ownership experience. The J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) reports that problems experienced after three years of ownership increased again, with infotainment systems, over-the-air update experiences, and exterior-related issues helping push overall dependability results to a post-redesign high.
Compared with 2025 results, total problems increased by 2 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), bringing the industry average to 204 PP100. In the study, a lower score indicates higher vehicle quality.
Table of Contents
- What the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study Measures
- 2026 VDS Results: Industry Average and Problem Categories
- Key Findings: Premium vs Mass Market, Software Updates, and Phone Integration
- Dependability by Powertrain Type: Gas vs Hybrid, EV, and PHEV
- 2026 Brand Ranking PP100 Scores
- Most Dependable Model and Model-Level Awards
- Top Three Models Per Segment: Cars, SUVs, Pickups, and Vans
- Study Methodology and 2027 Updates
- The Bottom Line
What the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study Measures
Now in its 37th year, the U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study measures vehicle quality by identifying problems owners of 3-year-old vehicles experience. The 2026 study is based on responses from 33,268 original owners of 2023 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership. It covers 184 specific problem areas across nine major categories.
VDS Problem Categories
- Climate
- Driving assistance
- Driving experience
- Exterior
- Features, controls, and displays
- Infotainment
- Interior
- Powertrain
- Seats
2026 VDS Results: Industry Average and Problem Categories
The 2026 results mark the highest-recorded overall problem count since the study was redesigned in 2022, reflecting a broader trend of dependability degrading during the past three years. Infotainment remains the most problematic category at 56.7 PP100, followed by exterior at 27.5 PP100. J.D. Power also notes that exterior issues such as abnormal noises contributed to the overall increase in reported problems.
Key Findings in the J.D. Power 2026 Vehicle Dependability Study
Premium Vehicles Show Rising Problems Compared With Mass Market
After two years of stability, problems among premium vehicles jumped 8 PP100 year over year to 217 PP100, the highest since the 2022 redesign. The gap between premium and mass market widened to 17 PP100, with premium underperforming mass market in seven of nine categories. J.D. Power highlights differences in features, controls, and displays, along with driving experience. Only the powertrain and seats categories show better performance among premium makes.
Over-the-Air Software Updates Are Routine, but Often Feel Like a Non-Event
Software updates are now common, with 40% of owners saying they received a software update in the past 12 months. Among those owners, 27% say the update improved their vehicle, while 58% say they noticed no difference.
More than half of updates, 63%, were performed over the air. J.D. Power reports that OTA updates were associated with a nearly 14% increase in problems this year, equivalent to 2.5 PP100.
“As owners hold onto their vehicles longer, the long-term ownership experience matters more than ever,” said Jason Norton, director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power. “Software updates and new technologies should enhance the ownership experience over time, yet many vehicle owners cite ongoing mobile phone integration problems and little to no benefit after an update is performed. Much of this comes down to owner education and ongoing communication. Automakers should focus on delivering meaningful improvements and clearly communicating the intended benefits of software updates so owners understand how they are designed to enhance their vehicle and ownership experience.”
Mobile Phone Integration Continues to Drive the Biggest Complaints
Of the top five industry problems, four are tied directly to mobile phone integration. For a third consecutive year, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity is the top issue in the industry at 8.9 PP100. Additional mobile-related concerns include built-in Bluetooth systems (5.5 PP100), wireless charging pads (5.1 PP100), and OEM app connectivity (4.7 PP100). Combined, these issues total 24.2 PP100, which accounts for nearly half of all infotainment category problems.
Dependability by Powertrain Type: Gas vs Hybrid, EV, and PHEV
Problems increased across all electrified powertrain types in the study. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles remain the most problematic powertrain category, rising 39 PP100 year over year to 281 PP100. Battery electric vehicles and hybrids both increased by 14 PP100 to 237 PP100 and 213 PP100, respectively.
By contrast, gas-powered vehicles improved slightly by 2 PP100 to 198 PP100, making them the least problematic powertrain type in the study.
2026 Brand Ranking PP100 Scores
Lexus ranks highest among premium brands for a fourth consecutive year with a score of 151 PP100. Buick ranks highest among mass market brands for a second consecutive year with a score of 160 PP100. J.D. Power lists the following brand scores, with the industry average at 204 PP100.
J.D. Power 2026 VDS Brand Ranking (PP100)
- Lexus – 151
- Buick – 160
- MINI – 168
- Cadillac – 175
- Chevrolet – 178
- Subaru – 181
- Porsche – 182
- Toyota – 185
- Kia – 193
- Nissan – 194
- BMW – 198
- Hyundai – 198
- Industry Average – 204
- Genesis – 208
- Mitsubishi – 208
- Mazda – 210
- Honda – 211
- Ram – 216
- Lincoln – 217
- Ford – 228
- GMC – 229
- Acura – 233
- Infiniti – 233
- Mercedes-Benz – 235
- Audi – 244
- Jeep – 267
- Land Rover – 274
- Volvo – 296
- Volkswagen – 301
Tesla is shown separately at 226 PP100, with a note indicating the brand is not rank eligible because it does not meet study award criteria.
Most Dependable Model and Model-Level Awards
Toyota Motor Corporation has the top overall model in the study, with the Lexus IS named the most dependable model. Toyota Motor Corporation also receives the most model-level awards with eight, and the award recipients are Lexus IS, Lexus UX, Lexus GX, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Sienna, and Toyota 4Runner.
General Motors Company receives four model-level awards for Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT6, Chevrolet Equinox, and Chevrolet Tahoe.
Top Three Models Per Segment in the 2026 VDS
J.D. Power also lists top-ranked models by segment. The following results reflect the top three shown for each segment in the provided study graphics.
Top Three Models per Segment: Car Segments
- Compact Car – Highest Ranked: Toyota Corolla; Honda Civic; Kia Forte
- Compact Premium Car – Highest Ranked: Lexus IS; BMW 4 Series; BMW 3 Series
- Midsize Car – Highest Ranked: Toyota Camry
Top Three Models per Segment: SUV Segments
- Small SUV – Highest Ranked: Subaru Crosstrek; MINI Countryman; Buick Encore GX (Tie); Hyundai Venue (Tie)
- Compact SUV – Highest Ranked: Chevrolet Equinox; Buick Envision; Subaru Forester
- Midsize SUV – Highest Ranked: Nissan Murano; Chevrolet Blazer; Hyundai Santa Fe
- Upper Midsize SUV – Highest Ranked: Buick Enclave (Tie); Toyota 4Runner (Tie); Chevrolet Traverse
- Large SUV – Highest Ranked: Chevrolet Tahoe
- Small Premium SUV – Highest Ranked: Lexus UX; Mercedes-Benz GLA; Audi Q3
- Compact Premium SUV – Highest Ranked: BMW X4; Cadillac XT4; Genesis GV70
- Midsize Premium SUV – Highest Ranked: Lexus GX; Cadillac XT5; Lexus RX
- Upper Midsize Premium SUV – Highest Ranked: Cadillac XT6; BMW X6; Porsche Cayenne
Top Three Models per Segment: Pickup and Van Segments
- Large Light Duty Pickup – Highest Ranked: Ram 1500; Chevrolet Silverado; Ford F-150 (Tie); GMC Sierra (Tie)
- Midsize Pickup – Highest Ranked: Toyota Tacoma; Hyundai Santa Cruz
- Minivan – Highest Ranked: Toyota Sienna
Study Methodology and 2027 Updates
The 2026 study was fielded from December 2024 through November 2025 and is based on responses from original owners of 2023 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership.
J.D. Power also outlined methodology updates planned for the 2027 study. Beginning in April 2026, the enhanced 2027 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study will add year-round data collection, continuous reporting, and integrated verified repair data. J.D. Power says this is intended to help manufacturers identify dependability issues earlier, pinpoint related concerns sooner, and improve proactive communication through in-vehicle messaging, email campaigns, and dealer education.
The Bottom Line
The J.D. Power 2026 Vehicle Dependability Study paints a clear picture of where long-term ownership pain points are building. Infotainment issues remain the biggest source of complaints, mobile phone integration problems continue to dominate the most common trouble spots, and software updates are becoming routine without consistently delivering obvious improvements. At the same time, the results also highlight brands and models that stand out across segments, with Lexus leading premium and Buick leading mass market, and the Lexus IS named the most dependable model overall.
