JD Power released its 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, and the results mark the highest-recorded problem count since it redesigned the study in 2022. 

The research found that vehicle problems after three years of ownership have increased by two problems per 100 vehicles, or PP100, resulting in an industry average of 204 PP100. It's part of a three-year-long downward trend in vehicle dependability, according to JD Power, which cites infotainment systems, over-the-air, or OTA, software updates and vehicle exteriors as the biggest problem areas. 

Nine areas are addressed in the study: climate, driver assistance, driving experience, exterior, features/controls/displays, infotainment, interior, powertrain and seats. Study results are based on responses from over 33,000 original owners of 2023 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership. The survey was fielded from December 2024 through November 2025.

Problems in the premium segment jumped eight PP100 year-over-year, underperforming in seven of the nine categories, most notably in features/controls/displays and driving experience. OTA software updates accounted for an almost 14% increase in problems this year. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity combined is the top issue in the industry for the third year in a row.

The most problematic powertrain type in the study is plug-in hybrid vehicles, whose snags increased year-over-year. Problems with battery electric vehicles and hybrids also increased year-over-year. By contrast, gas-powered vehicles increased in dependability, making it the least troublesome powertrain, perhaps because of its many decades of mass use.

Lexus ranked highest in overall vehicle dependability among premium brands for a fourth year in a row. Buick ranked highest in the mass-market segment for a second consecutive year. Toyota has the top overall model with the Lexus IS and received the most model-level awards with eight.