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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Lexus had the fewest reported problems in J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, at 140 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). Buick followed at 143 PP100, while Mazda, Toyota, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Porsche, BMW, and MINI completed the top 10. Lower PP100 is better, but this is an owner-reported three-year problem-frequency study—not a guarantee of low repair costs or lifetime reliability.
Lexus had the fewest reported problems in J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, with 140 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). Buick ranked second at 143 PP100, followed by Mazda, Toyota, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Porsche, BMW, and MINI.
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The ranking is based on problems reported by original owners of 2022 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership. Because a lower PP100 score is better, every brand in the top 10 performed better than the 2025 industry average of 202 PP100.
Important date note: This is the requested 2025 ranking—not the newest study available as of August 12, 2026. J.D. Power has since published its 2026 study, which uses a different vehicle cohort and is summarized below.
#1 Best Overall
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The 10 auto brands with the fewest problems per 100 vehicles
| Rank | Brand | Problems per 100 vehicles | Difference from 2025 average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexus | 140 | 62 fewer |
| 2 | Buick | 143 | 59 fewer |
| 3 | Mazda | 161 | 41 fewer |
| 4 | Toyota | 162 | 40 fewer |
| 5 (tie) | Cadillac | 169 | 33 fewer |
| 5 (tie) | Chevrolet | 169 | 33 fewer |
| 7 | GMC | 181 | 21 fewer |
| 8 | Porsche | 186 | 16 fewer |
| 9 | BMW | 189 | 13 fewer |
| 10 | MINI | 190 | 12 fewer |
Source: J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. Cadillac and Chevrolet both scored 169 PP100; the published chart order is retained here.
What the ranking actually measures
PP100 means “problems per 100 vehicles.” J.D. Power asks original owners of three-year-old vehicles about problems experienced during the previous 12 months. The 2025 study surveyed 34,175 owners of 2022 model-year vehicles and covered 184 problem areas across nine categories:
- Climate
- Driving assistance
- Driving experience
- Exterior
- Features, controls, and displays
- Infotainment
- Interior
- Powertrain
- Seats
A lower score indicates fewer reported problem experiences in the study population. It does not mean that a vehicle is guaranteed to be trouble-free.
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What PP100 does not tell you
PP100 is a frequency measure, not a repair-cost or severity score. In the study framework, one infotainment problem and one major mechanical problem each count as a reported problem occurrence. The score therefore should not be treated as a direct prediction of:
- Repair bills or total cost of ownership
- Warranty claims
- Engine or transmission lifespan
- The likelihood of a catastrophic failure
- The reliability of every model sold by a brand
For example, a brand could record many relatively minor technology complaints and still compare favorably with a brand that has fewer but more expensive mechanical problems. The study is useful for identifying broad owner-reported dependability patterns, but it cannot replace model-specific research.
How to interpret each brand
1. Lexus: 140 PP100
Lexus ranked first overall and was the highest-scoring premium brand in the 2025 study. Its 140 PP100 result was 62 points better than the industry average, the largest margin among the 10 brands listed.
2. Buick: 143 PP100
Buick finished second overall and was the highest-ranked mass-market brand. Its score was only three PP100 higher than Lexus, putting it 59 points below the industry average.
Rank #2
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- Compatible Auto List: Compatible with Lexus: ES250 (2021-2025), ES300h (2019-2025), ES350 (2019-2025), NX250(2022-2025), NX350(2022-2026), NX350H(2022-2026), NX450H+(2022-2026), RX350 (2016-2026), RX350H(2023-2026), RX350L (2018-2022), RX450h (2016-2022), RX450H+ (2024-2026), RX450hL (2018-2022), RX500H(2023-2026), TX350 (2024-2026), TX500H (2024-2026), TX550H+ (2014-2026), UX200 (2019-2022), UX250H (2019-2026), UX300H (2025-2026). Mazda: CX-9 (2016-2023). Subaru: Ascent (2019-2025), Crosstrek (2018-2026), Impreza (2017-2026), Legacy (2020-2025), Outback (2020-2026), Forester (Except Wilderness) (2025).
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3. Mazda: 161 PP100
Mazda ranked third overall and second among mass-market brands. At 161 PP100, it recorded 41 fewer reported problems than the 2025 average.
4. Toyota: 162 PP100
Toyota was fourth overall and third among mass-market brands. Its 162 PP100 score was one point higher than Mazda’s and 40 points below the industry average.
5. Cadillac and Chevrolet: 169 PP100
Cadillac and Chevrolet tied numerically at 169 PP100. That placed both brands 33 points below the industry average. The tie is important: the fifth- and sixth-place labels reflect the ordering of J.D. Power’s published chart rather than a difference in their reported scores.
7. GMC: 181 PP100
GMC scored 181 PP100, or 21 fewer problems per 100 vehicles than the industry average. Its result remained better than average, although it was 12 PP100 higher than Chevrolet’s score.
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8. Porsche: 186 PP100
Porsche recorded 186 PP100, placing it 16 points below the industry average. A brand-level result does not establish that every Porsche model, engine, or model year has the same dependability profile.
9. BMW: 189 PP100
BMW ranked ninth at 189 PP100, 13 points better than the average. As with every brand-level result, shoppers should investigate the specific BMW model and production year they are considering.
10. MINI: 190 PP100
MINI rounded out the top 10 at 190 PP100. Although it ranked tenth among the listed brands, its score was still 12 points better than the 2025 industry average.
Rank #3
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- All features combined ensure only the cleanest air for strong engine protection, high-performance, and better fuel efficiency
Why problems increased in the 2025 study
Overall reported problems rose by 12 PP100, or 6%, compared with the prior study. J.D. Power linked some of the deterioration to software defects and pandemic-era effects involving supply-chain disruption, high vehicle prices, and personnel disruption.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallTechnology was a major part of the result. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity was the most frequently reported individual problem at 8.4 PP100, followed by built-in Bluetooth systems at 4.6 PP100 and Wi-Fi at 2.4 PP100. Software defects accounted for 9% of all reported problems, and 36% of owners said they had performed an over-the-air update during the first three years of ownership.
This context matters when comparing modern vehicles. A high number of reported problems does not automatically indicate widespread engine or transmission failures; some complaints involve connectivity, interfaces, displays, and other software-dependent features.
How powertrain types compared
The 2025 study also reported average scores by powertrain type. These are industry-wide powertrain-group averages—not brand scores and not guarantees for a particular vehicle:
| Powertrain | Problems per 100 vehicles |
|---|---|
| Hybrid | 199 |
| Gasoline | 200 |
| Battery electric | 223 |
| Diesel | 233 |
| Plug-in hybrid | 242 |
These figures should not be used to conclude that every hybrid is more dependable than every gasoline vehicle, or that every electric vehicle will have more problems than every hybrid. Vehicle design, model year, software, usage, maintenance, and sample size all matter.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsJ.D. Power’s 2025 study release provides the underlying study context and category findings.
What changed in the latest 2026 study?
The 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study is newer, but it is not a replacement ranking for the exact 2025 vehicle cohort. It surveyed 33,268 original owners of 2023 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership, with fieldwork conducted from December 2024 through November 2025. The industry average increased from 202 PP100 in the 2025 study to 204 PP100 in the 2026 study.
Rank #4
- Bosch Workshop Engine Air Filters are constructed with a high number of pleats for robust particle holding capacity
- 98% filtration efficiency in removing small particles from incoming air to guard against engine wear
- High velocity cellulose cured media provides minimum air resistance and ensures even pleat distance for optimum efficiency
- Polyurethane foam seal provides elasticity and sealing performance, while protecting against water and heat intrusion into the air intake system
- All features combined ensure only the cleanest air for strong engine protection, high-performance, and better fuel efficiency
In the 2026 results, Lexus remained the highest-ranked premium brand at 151 PP100. Buick remained the highest-ranked mass-market brand at 160 PP100. MINI ranked second among mass-market brands at 168 PP100, while Chevrolet ranked third at 178 PP100.
| Measure | 2025 study | 2026 study |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle model year evaluated | 2022 | 2023 |
| Owners surveyed | 34,175 | 33,268 |
| Industry average | 202 PP100 | 204 PP100 |
| Lexus score | 140 PP100 | 151 PP100 |
| Buick score | 143 PP100 | 160 PP100 |
The scores should be read as successive study results, not as a controlled test of identical vehicles. The vehicle cohorts changed, so a brand’s movement may reflect differences in model mix, vehicle generation, technology, owner experience, or other conditions.
Infotainment remained the most problematic category in 2026 at 56.7 PP100, followed by exterior at 27.5 PP100. Four of the five leading individual problems involved mobile-phone integration, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity at 8.9 PP100. The 2026 powertrain averages were 198 PP100 for gasoline vehicles, 213 for hybrids, 237 for battery-electric vehicles, and 281 for plug-in hybrids. See the 2026 J.D. Power study release for the newer findings.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to use this list when buying a car
Use the ranking as a starting filter, not as the final buying decision. A dependable brand can sell a problematic model, and a brand outside the top 10 can have an excellent individual vehicle.
- Choose the specific model first. Compare the model, generation, engine, transmission, drivetrain, and trim you actually intend to buy. Brand averages conceal differences between SUVs, sedans, trucks, and performance vehicles.
- Check the exact model year. A redesign, new engine, new transmission, or major infotainment system can change the ownership experience. The 2025 study concerns 2022 model-year vehicles; it does not automatically predict a 2025 or 2026 model.
- Look up recalls and service campaigns. Confirm the vehicle identification number with the manufacturer or the appropriate recall database, and verify that completed repair work is documented.
- Review the vehicle’s history. For a used vehicle, run a used-car history report to investigate title status, reported damage, ownership history, mileage records, and available service information. A brand score cannot reveal what happened to one particular car.
- Inspect before purchasing. Arrange an independent pre-purchase inspection, especially for an out-of-warranty used vehicle. An inspection can identify current mechanical, electrical, tire, brake, fluid, and accident-related issues that a population-level study cannot.
- Estimate the full ownership cost. Insurance premiums, fuel or charging costs, tires, scheduled maintenance, parts, financing, and depreciation can outweigh a modest difference in PP100. You can compare insurance quotes, but do not assume the dependability ranking determines what you will pay.
- Test the technology as well as the drivetrain. Pair your phone, test the backup camera and driver-assistance features, check warning lights, and try the infotainment controls. Technology complaints were a prominent part of both the 2025 and 2026 study results.
Bottom line
Based on the 2025 J.D. Power study, Lexus and Buick were the two brands with the fewest reported problems per 100 vehicles, followed by Mazda and Toyota. All 10 listed brands scored better than the 202 PP100 industry average.
That result is meaningful as a three-year owner-experience comparison, but it is not a lifetime reliability guarantee. Before buying, move from the brand ranking to the specific model and year, then verify recalls, review history, calculate ownership costs, and have any used vehicle independently inspected.
Useful next steps for used-car shoppers
A history report and an independent inspection answer different questions. The report can reveal recorded events and ownership clues; the inspection evaluates the vehicle’s present physical condition. Neither one makes a bad model dependable, but together they are more useful for a specific used-car decision than a brand average alone.
Best Value
- Compatible with Toyota 4Runner (2010-2024), Avalon (2005-2018), Camry (2007-2017), Corolla (2009-2019), Corolla iM (2017-2018), Highlander (2008-2019), Land Cruiser (2008-2021), Matrix (2009-2014), Mirai (2016-2020), Prius (2010-2015), Prius C (2012-2021), Prius Plug-In (2012-2015), Prius V (2012-2018), RAV4 (2006-2018), Sequoia (2008-2022), Sienna (2011-2020), Tundra (2007-2021), Venza (2009-2016), Yaris (2006-2019), Yaris R (2016-2018), Hiace (2006-2019), Hilux (2004-2016)
- Compatible with Lexus CT200h (2011-2017), ES300h (2013-2018), ES350 (2007-2018), GS300 (2006), GS350 (2007-2011), GS430 (2006-2007), GS450h (2007-2011), GS460 (2008-2011), GX460 (2010-2023), HS250h (2010-2012), IS F (2008-2014), IS250 (2006-2013), IS350 (2006-2013), LFA (2012), LS460 (2007-2017), LS600h (2008-2016), LX570 (2008-2021), NX200t (2015-2017), NX300 (2018-2021), NX300h (2015-2021), RX350 (2010-2015), RX450h (2010-2015), UX200 (2020)
- Compatible with Subaru Legacy (2010-2019), Outback (2010-2019); Compatible with Jaguar F-Pace (2017-2025), I-Pace (2019-2025), XE (2016-2021), XF (2016-2024)
- Compatible with Land Rover Discovery (2017-2020), Range Rover (2014-2022), Range Rover Sport (2014-2022), Range Rover Velar (2018-2025)
- Compatible with Scion iM (2016), tC (2011-2016), xB (2008-2015), xD (2008-2014); Compatible with Pontiac Vibe (2009-2010); Compatible with Ford Transit (2007-2014)
Insurance and ownership costs
Insurance prices vary by driver, location, coverage, claims history, vehicle configuration, repair costs, and insurer. If you have narrowed your choice to a model, compare insurance quotes using the exact vehicle rather than assuming that a higher-ranked dependability brand will always be cheaper to insure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which car brand had the fewest problems in the 2025 J.D. Power study?
Lexus ranked first with 140 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), followed by Buick at 143 PP100.
Does a lower PP100 score guarantee a more reliable car?
No. PP100 measures the frequency of owner-reported problems after three years. It does not directly measure repair severity, repair cost, warranty claims, or lifetime vehicle durability.
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What model years does the 2025 J.D. Power dependability ranking cover?
The 2025 study evaluated 2022 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership. It should not automatically be applied to newer model years, redesigned vehicles, or every model in a brand’s lineup.
How should I use the J.D. Power brand ranking when buying a used car?
Check the specific model and year, look up recalls and service campaigns, review the vehicle history, estimate insurance and maintenance costs, and arrange an independent pre-purchase inspection for a used vehicle.
The Bottom Line
Lexus ranked first in the requested 2025 J.D. Power dependability study at 140 PP100, followed by Buick at 143 PP100. Treat the results as owner-reported, three-year problem frequency—not a guarantee of low repair costs or trouble-free ownership—and verify the specific model, year, history, recalls, and condition before buying.
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