You’d think cars would be getting better. We have AI-driven safety sensors, massive infotainment screens, and engines that can basically think for themselves. But honestly, the latest data tells a much grimmer story. If you feel like your three-year-old car is glitchier than your old 2010 clunker, you aren't crazy.
The JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) just confirmed what a lot of us have been grumbling about at the dealership service desk: cars are becoming less reliable. For the 2025 study, which tracks 2022 model-year vehicles after three years of use, the industry average hit 202 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). That is a massive 12-point jump from the previous year. It's the highest level of "stuff going wrong" since 2009.
Why? It’s not necessarily that the transmissions are falling out on the highway. It’s the screens. It’s the software. It’s the fact that your car now acts more like a buggy smartphone than a piece of heavy machinery.
What the JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study Really Measures
Most people get this confused with "initial quality." Initial quality is about the first 90 days—did the trim fall off while you were driving home from the lot? The VDS is different. It looks at the long game.
Specifically, it surveys thousands of original owners—over 34,000 this year—who have lived with their cars for three full years. They track 184 specific problem areas across nine categories, from the powertrain and seats to the features, controls, and displays.
A lower score is what you want. If a brand has a 140 PP100, it means for every 100 cars they sold, there were 140 reported issues. If they have a 250? Well, you’re looking at an average of 2.5 headaches per owner.
The Software Crisis
The biggest culprit is "infotainment." It sounds like a minor annoyance until your Apple CarPlay refuses to connect for the fifth time in a week while you’re trying to navigate to a job interview. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity issues are officially the top problem in the entire industry.
It’s actually getting worse.
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Connectivity issues jumped from 6.3 PP100 in 2024 to 8.4 PP100 in 2025. Automakers are trying to keep up with smartphone tech, but they’re losing the race. You’ve got a car that was designed in 2020, built in 2022, and now it’s trying to talk to a 2026 iPhone. The math just doesn't add up for a seamless experience.
The Brands Winning the Survival Game
Despite the industry-wide slump, some brands are still knocking it out of the park. Lexus has basically parked itself at the top of the mountain. For the third year in a row, Lexus took the gold medal with a score of 140 PP100.
Toyota’s luxury arm just seems to understand that people want their buttons to work every single time. It’s not flashy, but it’s dependable.
On the mass-market side, the results might surprise you.
- Buick took the top spot for non-luxury brands (143 PP100).
- Mazda climbed up to second place (161 PP100).
- Toyota rounded out the top three for mass-market brands (162 PP100).
It's sort of wild to see Buick beating out Toyota, but Buick has been hyper-focused on simplifying their interior tech. They aren't trying to reinvent the wheel with every model year, and it’s paying off in the reliability scores.
The Shocking Truth About EVs and Hybrids
There is a huge debate about whether electric vehicles (EVs) are "simpler" because they have fewer moving parts. On paper, sure. In reality? The JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study shows they are still a bit of a gamble.
However, there’s a silver lining. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) actually improved by 33 points this year. They’re getting better as manufacturers figure out the software bugs.
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The real disaster right now is the Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV). They are currently the most problematic vehicle type on the road, with a staggering 242 PP100. Think about it: a PHEV has a full gasoline engine, a full electric motor system, and a complex transmission that has to marry the two. It’s double the complexity, and apparently, double the trouble.
If you want the safest bet for longevity, stick with a traditional hybrid. They scored 199 PP100—even better than pure gas-powered cars (200 PP100).
The Pandemic Hangover
Jason Norton, the director of auto benchmarking at JD Power, pointed out something we often forget. These 2022 models were built during the absolute peak of supply chain chaos.
Factories were short-staffed. Parts were being swapped out for whatever was available. Prices were skyrocketing. It was a "perfect storm" for quality control issues. This explains why "carryover" models—cars that hadn't been redesigned in a few years—performed way better than brand-new model launches.
Only four out of 27 "all-new" models in 2022 actually beat their segment average. Basically, if you bought a first-year redesign in 2022, you likely bought a headache.
Which Models Actually Last?
If you're looking at the used market or wondering if your current ride is a keeper, specific models still shine. The Toyota Avalon was named the most dependable model overall. It’s ironic, considering Toyota stopped making them, but that car was built like a tank.
Other segment winners included:
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- Toyota Corolla (Compact Car)
- Lexus GX (Midsize Premium SUV)
- Chevrolet Silverado (Large Light Duty Pickup)
- Nissan Murano (Midsize SUV)
General Motors and Toyota dominated the awards, taking home six model-level wins each. It shows that even in a bad year for the industry, the big players who have been doing this for decades still have a massive edge over the "disruptors."
Actionable Insights for Your Next Purchase
Buying a car based on a shiny brochure is a mistake. You have to look at the three-year data to see what’s going to happen when the "new car smell" fades.
Skip the first year of a redesign. The data is clear: new models launched in 2022 averaged 241 problems per 100 vehicles. Wait until the second or third year of a generation so the engineers can patch the software bugs.
Don't over-rely on Over-the-Air (OTA) updates. While 36% of owners did a software update at home, only 30% said it actually made the car better. Most said they didn't notice a difference. A buggy car at the dealership will likely stay a buggy car in your driveway.
Check the tires on EVs. If you are buying a used 2022 electric car, look at the rubber. JD Power found that EV owners are replacing tires way more often than gas car owners—39% had to buy new tires in the last year alone. That’s a hidden cost that adds up fast.
Prioritize hybrids over PHEVs. If you want to go green but aren't ready for a full EV, the traditional hybrid is currently the gold standard for dependability. Avoid the complexity of the plug-in hybrids until the manufacturers get the integration issues sorted out.
Focus on "Low PP100" brands. If you hate the mechanic, stick to Lexus, Buick, or Toyota. If you’re looking at brands like Volkswagen or Chrysler, which historically sit at the bottom of these lists, make sure you have a very good extended warranty.
Researching the JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study isn't just about finding the "best" car; it's about knowing which frustrations you're willing to live with. If you can handle a glitchy screen but want a bulletproof engine, your choice looks a lot different than someone who needs their Bluetooth to be perfect every single morning.