Not across the board. J.D. Power’s 2026 Vehicle Dependability Study found more problems after three years of ownership, while its 2026 Initial Quality Study found fewer problems in the first 90 days. That means long-term dependability worsened, but initial quality improved; infotainment and phone connectivity remain persistent trouble spots.
What the 2026 J.D. Power studies say
The latest results point in different directions because the studies measure different ownership periods. The 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) recorded an industry average of 204 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) after three years of ownership, up 2 from 2025 and the highest since the study’s 2022 redesign. By contrast, the 2026 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS) recorded 175 PP100 in the first 90 days, down from 192 in 2025. J.D. Power described that as the strongest year-over-year improvement in the IQS since 1997.
So the headline that auto quality is dropping is too broad for the newest evidence: three-year dependability worsened, but reported early-ownership problems improved. J.D. Power’s 2026 VDS results and its 2026 IQS results do not show one uniform industry trend.
What PP100 means—and why the studies are not interchangeable
PP100 means problems per 100 vehicles. It is a rate of reported problems, not the percentage of vehicles that had a problem: one vehicle may contribute more than one reported issue. In J.D. Power’s scoring convention, a lower PP100 means fewer reported problems and therefore better quality.
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| Study | Ownership window | 2026 industry result | Sample and fielding |
|---|---|---|---|
| VDS | Problems after three years | 204 PP100 | 33,268 original owners of 2023 model-year vehicles; responses collected December 2024 through November 2025 |
| IQS | Problems in the first 90 days | 175 PP100 | New-vehicle feedback combined with verified repair orders; fielded June 2025 through May 2026 |
The VDS groups 184 problem areas into nine categories. The IQS uses a shorter early-ownership window and a different method. Their scores are useful for understanding different stages of ownership, but they are not a direct same-vehicle comparison or a single continuous measure of quality. The IQS study page describes its measurement scope.
Why three-year dependability is under pressure
Infotainment and phone integration
Infotainment had the highest VDS problem rate among the nine categories in 2026: 56.7 PP100. Exterior problems followed at 27.5 PP100. Phone integration was especially prominent: four of the five leading problems were directly related to mobile-phone integration, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity was the leading individual problem for the third consecutive year, at 8.9 PP100.
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These findings help explain why a vehicle can feel technologically capable yet still frustrate owners over time. The problem is not simply that a car has screens or connected features; it is that everyday connections and functions may not work consistently.
Software updates do not always feel like improvements
In the 2026 VDS, 40% of owners said they received a software update in the prior 12 months. Among those owners, 27% said the update improved the vehicle, 58% noticed no difference, and 63% of updates were over the air (OTA). The reported OTA-related problem rate rose nearly 14% to 2.5 PP100.
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J.D. Power director of auto benchmarking Jason Norton said: “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.” The figures suggest that adding update capability is not the same as delivering a noticeable fix for owners.
Results differ by powertrain
The 2026 VDS reported different problem rates across powertrains. These are study results, not proof that the powertrain alone caused the differences.
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| Powertrain | 2026 VDS problems per 100 vehicles |
|---|---|
| Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) | 281 PP100 |
| Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) | 237 PP100 |
| Hybrids | 213 PP100 |
| Gas vehicles | 198 PP100 |
Gas-powered dependability improved by 2 PP100 year over year. The overall VDS average should not be treated as a forecast for any one vehicle type or model.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why early quality improved in 2026
The IQS reported improvement across nine of its ten categories; infotainment was the exception. J.D. Power senior director of auto benchmarking Frank Hanley said: “The biggest gains in quality come from features that are easy to use—simple controls, less-intrusive driver assistance and software that works the way customers expect.” The results support a more nuanced picture: fewer early problems overall, but continued weakness in connected features.
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Earlier results also show why one year should not be mistaken for a permanent direction. In 2022, the IQS average reached 180 PP100, 18 higher than in 2021, during pandemic-era disruption. That historical rise does not negate the improvement in 2026; the figures describe different years and conditions.
What the trend does—and does not—tell car buyers
The 2025 VDS recorded 202 PP100 for 2022 model-year vehicles after three years. J.D. Power director Jason Norton pointed to supply-chain issues, high prices, and personnel disruption during the period when those vehicles were built. That is contextual explanation from the study’s spokesperson, not an isolated estimate proving those conditions caused the score.
For an individual buyer, an industry average cannot establish whether a specific make, model, or powertrain is dependable. Any brand or model comparison should use the same study edition and ownership window, rather than comparing a first-90-day IQS result with a three-year VDS result. The 2026 industry-level findings alone do not establish a brand ranking.
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