2026 JD Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study Results

[Oillover]

The 2026 results are in!
I find it interesting that Buick is so close to the top, with VW so close to the bottom (practically tied with Volvo).
A few key things to note:

https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2026-us-vehicle-dependability-study-vds

 

[BobsArmory]

Buick! wow.

 

[BobsArmory]

Interesting to see the difference between Chevy and GMC. Since GMC and Chevy are so similar and often come off the same assembly lines must be GMC is using newer tech/options compared to Chevy?

 

[bdc101]

"Of the top five industry problems, four are directly related to owner integration of mobile phones to their vehicles"

Shouldn't we, like, have a dependability study that only counts actual problems?

 

[Kurtatron]

Toyota below Mini?

Smells like

 

[wings&wheels]

I've proudly owned six in a row!


From the bottom

 

[BobsArmory]

"Of the top five industry problems, four are directly related to owner integration of mobile phones to their vehicles"

Shouldn't we, like, have a dependability study that only counts actual problems?

A fail is a fail. Constant disconnection of your phone while using it for directions is just as important as your reaview mirror not auto dimming at night.

 

[redguy34]

My Corolla Cross sometimes will drop my phones bluetooth connection. I consider it a big problem. What if I'm using it to navigate? I'm not paying for Toyota's navigation. Every system needs to work well for a long time to be reliable.

Red

 

[Mainia]

JD Power allows buying “a place in line”. JD, stands for “Just Dollars”

 

[Dino01]

 

[MCompact]

"Of the top five industry problems, four are directly related to owner integration of mobile phones to their vehicles"

Shouldn't we, like, have a dependability study that only counts actual problems?

One of the reasons BMW introduced the BMW Genius position (my old job) was to score better on these kinds of surveys. Often a customer didn’t know how something worked so the customer would then report it as a problem. I was often called to the service lane to see if a problem with a car was in fact user error. One customer told the service writer that her HUD was not working- but when I checked out her X5 it turned out that it wasn’t equipped with an HUD.

 

[redguy34]

I nabbing that one.

 

[MCompact]

I've proudly owned six in a row!


From the bottom

In 40k miles my Wrangler has had two warranty issues- a bad steering damper and a bad electric coolant heater. My C43 has exhibited flawless reliability over 51k miles. It does have a a healthy appetite for tires, but I knew that going in.

 

[BobsArmory]

JD Power allows buying “a place in line”. JD, stands for “Just Dollars”

Explain please. Enquiring minds want to know.

 

[redguy34]

I did never care for JD awards. I bought the car I wanted with little regard for reliability until recently.

 

[dogememe]

We all thought GM removed CarPlay from their EVs to make money in subscriptions from the second owner of the vehicle… but now I see they just did it to improve their JD Power ranking because if you can’t connect your phone you can’t report an unreliable phone connection as a problem!

I’m just kidding lol. But seriously GM really impresses me sometimes. Sometimes! Not always. Keeping in mind that some of the unreliable brands sell MUCH more expensive vehicles.

 

[redguy34]

I say it over and over Chevy Spark was one of GM's best entry level cars. It also never drops my phone. Coincidence? I think not!

 

[dogememe]

I say it over and over Chevy Spark was one of GM's best entry level cars. It also never drops my phone. Coincidence? I think not!

A friend of mine had a Chevy Spark as his first car. It was dirt cheap used from Enterprise. That little turd lasted him like 10 years of commuting all over the Bay Area. And he is not the type of person to change the oil on time. I think he did have to change the coolant tank once and then last year the transmission finally went out. But he definitely got his moneys worth! Although I drove it once and it was truly gutless. Not as noisy on the highway as I expected though, which was a nice surprise.

 

[redguy34]

A friend of mine had a Chevy Spark as his first car. It was dirt cheap used from Enterprise. That little turd lasted him like 10 years of commuting all over the Bay Area. And he is not the type of person to change the oil on time. I think he did have to change the coolant tank once and then last year the transmission finally went out. But he definitely got his moneys worth! Although I drove it once and it was truly gutless. Not as noisy on the highway as I expected though, which was a nice surprise.

It was a big issue the coolant tanks leaking I did replace mine. Mine was originally my Fathers and he bought it in 2018 for 11k out the door. Brand new LS with the 5 speed manual for 11k! That's crazy cheap for a brand new car in the last 20 years. Anyhow Its still kicking and I bet it'll last me another 10 years before it blows up or something. I think the rust will be what takes out in the end those 5 speeds last a long time.

Remember the phrase "Its more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow" and Sparks aren't so bad. Maybe. I'm also heavily bias as there my favorite kind of car.

 

[Oillover]

I've proudly owned six in a row!


From the bottom

Interesting!
I never would have thought you were a Volvo owner, haha!