Lexus ranked as the most dependable brand in the 2024 J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, recording 135 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). Toyota was the highest-ranked mass-market brand at 147 PP100, followed by Buick at 149. The industry average was 190 PP100.
Those numbers do not predict every vehicle’s future repair costs. The study measured problems reported by original owners of 2021 model-year vehicles during their third year of ownership. It is best understood as a comparative measure of owner-reported problems—not a laboratory reliability test or a guarantee that a particular used car will be trouble-free.
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What the 2024 dependability study actually measured
J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study surveyed 30,595 original owners of 2021 model-year vehicles. Owners reported problems experienced during the previous 12 months, after approximately three years of ownership. The survey was conducted from August through November 2023.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThe study covered 184 specific problem areas across nine categories:
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- Climate
- Driving assistance
- Driving experience
- Exterior
- Features, controls and displays
- Infotainment
- Interior
- Powertrain
- Seats
J.D. Power reports the results using PP100, meaning problems per 100 vehicles. Lower is better. A score of 135 means that owners reported 135 problems per 100 vehicles on average; it does not mean that each vehicle had 1.35 repair visits, nor does it show how expensive, serious or time-consuming those problems were.
The 2024 study average was 190 PP100, four points worse than the 2023 average. The change does not necessarily mean that every vehicle became less dependable. It reflects the combined results of the vehicles and owner reports included in each year’s study.
Complete 2024 brand ranking
The following is the published brand ranking, ordered from fewer reported problems to more reported problems:
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| Rank order | Brand | PP100 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexus | 135 |
| 2 | Toyota | 147 |
| 3 | Buick | 149 |
| 4 | Chevrolet | 174 |
| 4 | MINI | 174 |
| 6 | Porsche | 175 |
| 7 | Mazda | 185 |
| 8 | Kia | 187 |
| 9 | BMW | 190 |
| 9 | Dodge | 190 |
| 9 | Jeep | 190 |
| 12 | Cadillac | 196 |
| 13 | Hyundai | 198 |
| 13 | Subaru | 198 |
| 15 | Nissan | 199 |
| 16 | Genesis | 200 |
| 17 | Ram | 201 |
| 18 | GMC | 206 |
| 18 | Honda | 206 |
| 20 | Acura | 216 |
| 21 | Mercedes-Benz | 218 |
| 22 | Infiniti | 219 |
| 23 | Ford | 239 |
| 24 | Volvo | 245 |
| 25 | Lincoln | 251 |
| 26 | Tesla | 252 |
| 27 | Volkswagen | 267 |
| 28 | Land Rover | 268 |
| 29 | Audi | 275 |
| 30 | Chrysler | 310 |
| — | Study average | 190 |
Source: J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. Ties are shown at the same rank position for readability. Tesla appears in the published table, but its position should be interpreted with the study’s qualification and sample rules in mind; it should not automatically be treated as equivalent to every fully award-eligible brand.
Top brands: what the results mean
Lexus: lowest reported problem frequency
Lexus finished first overall at 135 PP100, 55 points better than the 190-PP100 industry average. It was also the highest-ranked brand overall for the second consecutive year.
That result supports a narrow conclusion: original owners of the 2021 Lexus vehicles included in this survey reported fewer problems during their third year than owners of vehicles from the other brands in the published ranking. It does not establish that every Lexus model, every model year or every individual Lexus will outperform every competitor.
Toyota: highest-ranked mass-market brand
Toyota ranked second overall at 147 PP100 and was the highest-ranked mass-market brand. Buick followed closely at 149 PP100. Chevrolet and MINI tied for third among mass-market brands at 174 PP100.
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Toyota also had the largest number of model-level segment awards of any automaker in the study, with nine awards across Toyota and Lexus models. That combination makes Toyota and Lexus particularly notable in this year’s results, although buyers still need to evaluate the specific vehicle and model year they are considering.
The biggest problem area was infotainment
Infotainment was the study’s most problematic category at 49.1 PP100, nearly twice the level of the next-highest category, exterior.
The two leading individual problems were:
- Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity: 6.3 PP100
- Built-in voice recognition: 6.1 PP100
This finding illustrates an important distinction in dependability surveys. A reported problem may be an irritating connectivity failure, a confusing interface or an unreliable voice command rather than a broken engine or transmission. The PP100 score counts reported problems, but does not assign the same weight to every problem or tell readers how costly the issue was to fix.
For a used-car shopper, infotainment should therefore be tested just as deliberately as the mechanical systems. Pair a phone, try both wired and wireless functions if equipped, test the voice controls, operate the backup camera and confirm that the display responds consistently. A software complaint that seems minor during a short test drive can become a daily annoyance.
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Driver-assistance complaints increased over time
J.D. Power also identified growing owner-reported problems with driver-assistance alerts, including:
- Lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assistance
- Forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking
The study’s finding does not prove that these systems are unsafe. It indicates that owners reported more problems or annoyances with the alerts after three years than they did during the first 90 days of ownership.
When inspecting a used vehicle, check whether warning lights are illuminated and ask whether the owner has had sensor, camera or calibration work performed. Test the system only in appropriate conditions and in accordance with the vehicle’s instructions. A warning system that is disabled, poorly calibrated or frequently generating false alerts deserves professional diagnosis before purchase.
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Electrified vehicles reported more problems in this study
The 2024 study found higher reported problem rates for electrified vehicles than for gasoline and conventional hybrid vehicles:
| Powertrain type | PP100 |
|---|---|
| Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) | 256 |
| Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) | 216 |
| Hybrid | 191 |
| Gasoline | 187 |
J.D. Power also reported that 39% of BEV owners said they had replaced tires during the previous 12 months, 19 percentage points more than owners of gas-powered vehicles.
These are study-level associations, not a rule that every EV or plug-in hybrid is less dependable than every gasoline vehicle. Newer powertrain technology can bring more software, interfaces and unfamiliar systems, all of which may generate owner-reported problems without representing a major mechanical failure. Tire replacement can also be influenced by vehicle weight, acceleration, tire compounds, alignment and driving habits.
Model-level award winners
Brand scores are useful for broad comparison, but a buyer usually chooses a model. J.D. Power gave segment awards to the following vehicles:
| Segment | Award-winning vehicle |
|---|---|
| Small SUV | 2021 Buick Encore |
| Small Premium SUV | 2021 BMW X1 |
| Compact Car | 2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback |
| Compact SUV | 2021 Chevrolet Equinox |
| Compact Premium SUV | 2021 Lexus NX |
| Compact Premium Car | 2021 Lexus IS |
| Midsize Premium Car | 2021 Lexus ES |
| Upper Midsize Premium SUV | 2021 BMW X6 |
| Midsize SUV | 2021 Toyota 4Runner |
| Midsize Pickup | 2021 Toyota Tacoma 2WD |
| Upper Midsize SUV | 2021 Chevrolet Traverse |
| Midsize Car | 2021 Toyota Camry |
| Premium Sporty Car | 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster |
| Large SUV | 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe |
| Minivan | 2021 Kia Sedona |
| Large Light-Duty Pickup | 2021 Toyota Tundra 2WD |
| Large Heavy-Duty Pickup | 2021 Ford Super Duty F-250 SRW |
These are 2021 model-year vehicles evaluated in their third year of ownership. They are not ratings of 2024 model-year vehicles. A 2021 award can help identify a promising used vehicle, but it cannot substitute for checking the particular vehicle’s mileage, maintenance, accident history, recalls and condition.
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Automakers with the most segment awards
Toyota Motor Corporation received nine segment awards for the Lexus ES, Lexus IS, Lexus NX, Lexus RX, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Tacoma and Toyota Tundra.
General Motors received four awards: Buick Encore, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and Chevrolet Tahoe. BMW AG received two awards for the BMW X1 and BMW X6. The remaining listed awards went to Kia, Porsche and Ford in their respective segments.
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Most-improved brands
The brands showing the largest improvement from the prior study were:
- Porsche: improved by 33 PP100
- Mercedes-Benz: improved by 22 PP100
- Toyota: improved by 21 PP100
“Improved” means the brand recorded a lower PP100 score than in the previous study. It does not necessarily mean the brand ranked near the top overall. A brand can make a substantial year-over-year improvement and still remain above the study average.
How much weight should buyers give the ranking?
Use the study as one filter, not as the final buying decision. It is strongest when answering a question such as: Which brands had fewer owner-reported problems after three years in this particular survey? It is not designed to answer all of these questions:
- How much will this specific car cost to repair?
- Which vehicle will have the least downtime?
- Which problems were safety-critical?
- Will a vehicle remain dependable after five, eight or 12 years?
- Was a particular used car maintained correctly?
- Is one model universally better than every model from another brand?
PP100 is a frequency measure. It does not measure repair severity, parts prices, labor costs, time out of service, resale value or the likelihood of a safety defect. It also reflects owner reports rather than an independent inspection of every surveyed vehicle.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.A practical checklist for buying one of these used vehicles
- Identify the exact model year and powertrain. The study concerns 2021 vehicles, and results can differ substantially between model years, engines, transmissions and hybrid or electric systems.
- Check open recalls by VIN. Confirm whether recalls were completed rather than assuming an award or strong brand score means the vehicle is free of safety campaigns.
- Review maintenance documentation. Look for evidence of scheduled services, fluid changes where applicable, tire rotations, brake work and manufacturer-required inspections.
- Review a vehicle history report. A vehicle history report may contain accident, title, odometer, service, usage and recall information. However, CARFAX warns that its database does not include every event, so the report cannot verify mechanical condition or guarantee reliability.
- Arrange an independent inspection. Have a qualified mechanic inspect the underbody, suspension, brakes, tires, fluid leaks, cooling system, battery or high-voltage components where applicable, and scan for stored diagnostic codes.
- Take a thorough test drive. Test cold start behavior, shifting, braking, steering, climate control, cameras, windows, locks, displays, phone connectivity and driver-assistance warnings.
- Compare the price with the condition. A highly ranked model with neglected maintenance or accident damage may be a worse purchase than a lower-ranked model with complete records and excellent condition.
For shoppers comparing services, an AutoCheck vehicle history report may be another option, but the same limitation applies: no history database is complete, and no report replaces an inspection and test drive. Any commercial relationship or affiliate availability should be verified before publication.
The bottom line on the 2024 J.D. Power results
Lexus led the 2024 study at 135 PP100, Toyota was the top mass-market brand at 147, and the industry average was 190. Buick, Chevrolet and MINI also performed strongly in the mass-market ranking. The study’s most common trouble spot was infotainment, particularly smartphone connectivity and built-in voice recognition.
The results are useful evidence about how owners of 2021 vehicles experienced their third year of ownership. They are not a promise about every 2024 vehicle, every model in a brand’s lineup or every used example on a dealer’s lot. Before buying, combine the ranking with model-specific recall checks, service records, a history report, a careful test drive and an independent mechanical inspection.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What brand ranked highest in the 2024 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study?
Lexus ranked highest overall with 135 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). It was the highest-ranked brand overall for the second consecutive year.
What was the highest-ranked mass-market brand?
Toyota was the highest-ranked mass-market brand at 147 PP100. Buick followed at 149 PP100, while Chevrolet and MINI tied at 174 PP100.
What does PP100 mean?
PP100 means problems per 100 vehicles. It measures the frequency of owner-reported problems. Lower scores are better, but the metric does not show repair cost, severity, downtime or safety risk.
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No. The study surveyed original owners of 2021 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership. The results should not be presented as ratings of 2024 model-year vehicles.
What was the most common problem category?
Infotainment was the most problematic category at 49.1 PP100. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity was the leading individual problem, followed by built-in voice recognition.
Does the study prove that electric vehicles are unreliable?
No. BEVs had a higher average reported problem rate than gasoline vehicles in this particular study, but that is a study-level association. It does not mean every electric vehicle is less dependable than every gasoline vehicle.
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