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Most Reliable Midsize Sedans: What J.D. Power’s 2026 Study Actually Shows

The latest J.D. Power dependability study does not support a top-10 midsize-sedan list. It identifies the Toyota Camry as the only midsize car at or above segment average, based on 2023-model-year vehicles after three years of ownership.

By CarCody Team

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J.D. Power’s latest dependability study does not substantiate a list of 10 reliable midsize sedans. In the 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), the Toyota Camry was the only midsize car at or above its segment average. That finding describes 2023-model-year vehicles after three years of ownership; it is not a ranking of brand-new 2026 sedans.

What the latest J.D. Power data actually say

The 2026 VDS identifies one qualifying midsize car: the Toyota Camry. J.D. Power reports that no other model in the midsize-car segment performed at or above the segment average. Because of that result, presenting a definitive “top 10” would imply evidence the study does not provide.

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The result is narrower than the title many shoppers encounter online. It does not mean every Camry will be trouble-free, nor does it prove that every other midsize sedan is unreliable. It means only that, within this study’s measured group and methodology, Camry’s numerical dependability result met or exceeded the midsize-segment average.

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J.D. Power’s 2026 study covered 33,268 original owners of 2023-model-year vehicles. Owners reported problems experienced during the previous 12 months, after they had owned the vehicles for roughly three years. The study therefore measures an established ownership experience rather than predicted reliability for a newly launched model.

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Jason Norton, director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power, summarized the reason for looking at this time horizon: “As owners hold onto their vehicles longer, the long-term ownership experience matters more than ever.”

The midsize-sedan results by study year

The preceding 2025 VDS listed three midsize-car models, in this order: Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima and Hyundai Sonata. That ordering belongs to the 2025 edition and should not be presented as the current 2026 ranking. In 2026, only Camry is identified as at or above the segment average.

Study edition Vehicles represented Midsize-car result How to read it
2026 VDS 2023-model-year vehicles after three years of ownership Toyota Camry was the only model at or above segment average; no other midsize car met that threshold Latest cited dependability result, but not a 2026-new-car ranking
2025 VDS Earlier study cohort 1. Toyota Camry
2. Nissan Altima
3. Hyundai Sonata
Prior-year ordering; do not combine it with the 2026 result as one list

J.D. Power does not provide a ten-model 2026 midsize-car ranking in the cited material. Models absent from the listed result should be treated as unranked here, not automatically placed below Camry or labeled unreliable.

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How the Vehicle Dependability Study works

It measures reported problems, not breakdown probabilities

The VDS uses problems per 100 vehicles, abbreviated PP100. A lower PP100 indicates fewer problems reported by owners and therefore better dependability in the study’s comparison. PP100 is a count of reported problems, not the percentage of cars that failed and not the probability that an individual vehicle will stop running.

For example, an industry result of 204 PP100 means that owners reported 204 problems for every 100 vehicles on average. One vehicle can generate multiple reports, so the figure cannot be read as “204 percent of cars broke.” It is a standardized way to compare the volume of reported problems across vehicles.

The time period and sample matter

The 2026 VDS asked original owners of 2023-model-year vehicles about problems during the preceding 12 months. The vehicles were therefore approximately three years into ownership when the survey period was measured. Used-car shoppers can find this time horizon useful because it captures issues that may not appear during a short test drive or an initial-quality survey.

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The study’s industry average was 204 PP100 in 2026. The highest individual problem category was infotainment, at 56.7 PP100. That category includes the electronic interfaces and related functions owners interact with frequently, illustrating why a dependability score can include irritating technology faults as well as mechanical concerns.

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Why a segment average is not a guarantee

J.D. Power cautions that rankings based on numerical scores are not necessarily statistically significant. Small numerical differences can reflect normal sampling variation rather than a meaningful difference in ownership experience. The study’s threshold for a segment award also requires at least three models representing 80 percent of segment sales, or four models representing 67 percent. The 2026 midsize-car result is consequently a limited comparison, not proof that one sedan is universally superior.

What “most reliable” means for a midsize-sedan shopper

Dependability is one part of ownership risk. A sedan that records few owner-reported problems may still be a poor fit if its seating, fuel use, cargo capacity, driving position or safety equipment do not suit your needs. Conversely, a model without a qualifying 2026 VDS result may still satisfy an owner, but the cited study does not establish that claim.

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Use the Camry result as a starting point for a longer ownership conversation rather than as a promise. Ask what type of problem was reported, how often it occurred, whether the issue affected drivability, and what repair support is available in your area. A high count driven by software annoyances has a different practical impact from a smaller number of serious mechanical failures, yet PP100 alone does not provide that severity breakdown.

How to use the 2026 result when comparing cars

1. Match the study cohort to the vehicle you are considering

First identify the model year represented by the data. The 2026 VDS reflects 2023-model-year vehicles after three years, not current 2026 inventory. A redesigned sedan, a new powertrain or a major infotainment change can alter ownership outcomes, so older study results should not be transferred automatically to a newer configuration.

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2. Separate dependability from other J.D. Power ratings

J.D. Power also maintains a current midsize-sedan ratings page covering overall ratings and current vehicles. Those ratings are a different product from the VDS. The page says ratings are updated each September and may continue to display prior-model-year ratings until new data are available. An overall rating should therefore be labeled as such; it cannot be substituted for a three-year dependability result.

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3. Compare like with like

When several sedans are under consideration, place each piece of evidence in its own column. Do not put a current overall rating beside a three-year PP100 result and call the higher number “more reliable.” Record the model year, study type, PP100 when published, warranty terms, powertrain configuration and the practical needs the car must meet.

Comparison dimension Question to ask Why it matters
Model year Which production year does the evidence represent? Generational changes can make older results less representative of a new car.
Study type Is this three-year dependability, initial quality or an overall current rating? Each measures a different ownership stage and should not be merged.
PP100 Is a published score available, and is lower better? PP100 counts reported problems; it is not a failure probability.
Problem category Are reports concentrated in infotainment, controls, driving assistance or another area? The inconvenience and repair implications can differ substantially.
Coverage What warranty and service support apply to the exact vehicle and region? Repair-cost exposure depends on the vehicle’s terms and where it is serviced.
Personal fit Does the sedan meet your space, comfort, efficiency and driving requirements? Dependability cannot compensate for a vehicle that does not fit your use.
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Why a top-10 list would be misleading here

The data do not contain ten qualifying models

A list requires ten comparable entries. The latest cited VDS supplies one midsize car at or above the segment average and explicitly says no other model in the segment reached that level. Filling the remaining nine positions with cars from unrelated segments, older study years or unsupported assumptions would create a ranking J.D. Power did not publish.

“Not listed” is not the same as “worst”

Study coverage and award thresholds determine what appears in a published result. A sedan omitted from the 2026 midsize-car statement may have insufficient representation for the cited comparison or simply may not have met the segment-average threshold. The evidence does not establish its exact PP100 or its position relative to every other midsize sedan.

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Model-year drift can change the answer

Vehicle dependability is reported after an ownership period, so the newest available study necessarily describes older vehicles. A buyer shopping a 2026 sedan should check for changes made since the 2023 model year, including revised software, components, trims and powertrains. The 2026 VDS cannot forecast those changes with certainty.

A practical buying process

  1. Define the vehicle class. Confirm that the cars you are comparing are midsize sedans rather than compact sedans, large cars or crossovers.
  2. Record the exact model year and powertrain. A hybrid, turbocharged engine or all-wheel-drive system may have different components from the configuration represented in a study.
  3. Start with the relevant VDS result. For the latest cited edition, that means recognizing Camry as the sole midsize car at or above segment average, without inventing scores for other models.
  4. Check current information separately. Review the current J.D. Power midsize-sedan ratings page, manufacturer warranty documents and service information, labeling each source by what it measures.
  5. Investigate the problem categories. Pay attention to whether reported issues concern infotainment, controls, driver-assistance features or mechanical systems.
  6. Estimate ownership exposure. Include maintenance, insurance, tires, scheduled service and likely repair costs for the specific trim and mileage you plan to keep.
  7. Inspect and drive the individual car. For a used vehicle, obtain maintenance records, check warning lights and arrange an independent inspection. A model-level statistic cannot replace condition checks on one car.
  8. Make a needs-based decision. Choose the vehicle that balances documented dependability evidence with space, comfort, operating cost and support where you live.

Common mistakes when reading reliability rankings

  • Calling a three-year study a new-car forecast. The 2026 VDS describes 2023-model-year vehicles after three years of ownership.
  • Reading 204 PP100 as a failure rate. It is the 2026 industry average of reported problems per 100 vehicles.
  • Assuming a tiny numerical lead is decisive. J.D. Power warns that numerical rankings are not necessarily statistically significant.
  • Combining different rating systems. Current overall ratings, initial-quality studies and VDS dependability results answer different questions.
  • Treating absence as a bottom ranking. The 2026 statement establishes one qualifying midsize car, not an ordered list of every sedan sold.
  • Ignoring technology complaints. Infotainment accounted for 56.7 PP100, the highest of the nine categories in the 2026 study.

The useful answer to the original question

If you want the latest J.D. Power-backed midsize-sedan dependability signal, the Toyota Camry is the clear answer from the 2026 VDS: it is the only midsize car identified at or above segment average. The prior 2025 edition listed Camry, Nissan Altima and Hyundai Sonata in that order, but that is historical context rather than a current ten-car ranking.

For every other sedan, the responsible conclusion is narrower: the cited 2026 study does not provide a qualifying position or published PP100 score. Use separate current-vehicle ratings, exact model-year information and an inspection of the individual car before deciding.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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car buyingJ.D. Powermidsize sedansToyota Camryvehicle reliability

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