The 2026 Vehicle Dependability Study counts problems per 100 vehicles after three years of ownership. A lower score means fewer complaints, and the industry average came in at 204. Here are fourteen brands from the study, ordered from Volkswagen at the bottom to Lexus at the top.
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1. Volkswagen: Last Place at 301
Volkswagen ranks last in J.D. Power’s 2026 Vehicle Dependability Study at 301 problems per 100 three-year-old vehicles, worse than its 285 a year earlier.
The score moved the wrong way in a study where lower is better, so the brand finished at the bottom while also slipping from its own prior result. Shoppers weighing a used Volkswagen can use the figure as a prompt to review service history and remaining warranty coverage before buying.
2. Volvo: Second From the Bottom
Volvo owners reported 296 problems per 100 vehicles, second-worst in the 2026 study, according to Jalopnik’s summary of the results.
That sits only five problems per 100 behind Volkswagen, so the two weakest brands are separated by a narrow gap. Even so, 296 is far above the 204 industry average, which makes a thorough pre-purchase inspection a sensible step for any used Volvo. Checking the open recall list for the exact model is a quick step that costs nothing and can save an unpleasant surprise later.
3. Jeep: Well Above Average
Jeep logged 267 problems per 100 vehicles after three years, well above the 204 industry average, according to Jalopnik’s coverage of the study.
That works out to about 63 more problems per 100 vehicles than the industry typically reports. Buyers drawn to the brand for its off-road image may want to look for extended coverage and a clean maintenance record on any used example. Comparing certified pre-owned terms across several dealers is one practical way to offset that risk before committing to a purchase.
4. Audi: Premium Price, 244 Problems
Audi scored 244 problems per 100 vehicles in the 2026 dependability study, based on Jalopnik’s reporting.
That puts the German luxury brand 40 points above the 204 industry average, a notable gap for a nameplate that charges a premium. Prospective owners can use the number to ask pointed questions about a car’s service record and any open recalls. Asking for dealer service records and a pre-purchase inspection is a cheap way to test whether an individual car matches or beats the brand average.
5. Mercedes-Benz: Sixth From the Bottom
Mercedes-Benz ranks sixth from the bottom at 235 problems per 100 vehicles, according to AutoGuide’s rundown of the study.
At 235, the brand sits above the 204 industry average but below Audi’s 244 in this list. Owners and shoppers can treat the score as one data point among several reliability measures, since it tracks problems reported at three years rather than repair costs. A thorough test drive and a review of the maintenance history will say more about one particular car than a brand score alone can.
6. Infiniti: Just Behind Mercedes
Infiniti owners reported 233 problems per 100 vehicles, seventh from the bottom, in AutoGuide’s summary of the results.
A two-point difference from Mercedes-Benz’s 235 shows how tightly packed this part of the ranking is. Gaps that small carry little weight on their own, so shoppers are better served by the broader pattern than by a single place on the list. Comparing both luxury names with their rivals on warranty length and service costs gives a fuller picture before any money changes hands.
7. Acura: Tied at 233
Acura also scored 233 problems per 100, eighth from the bottom at 20th overall, per AutoGuide’s list of the brands.
That matches Infiniti’s score, so the two Japanese luxury brands finish level on points even though the ranking splits them by one place. A shopper comparing the pair has little to separate them in this study and can look to other evidence such as cost and features. A used buyer should still read each car’s own maintenance record, since a brand average hides wide differences between individual vehicles.
8. Ford: Eighteenth Overall
Ford finished 18th overall with 228 problems per 100 three-year-old vehicles, AutoGuide reports.
The mass-market brand’s score is 24 points above the 204 industry average, yet it still beats Acura, Infiniti, Mercedes-Benz and Audi in this ranking. For buyers shopping the middle of the market, the result is mixed rather than alarming. Owners of an older Ford can reasonably ask a mechanic which common problems apply to the exact model and year before deciding.
9. Porsche: Third Among Premium Brands
Porsche ranks third among premium brands at 182 problems per 100 vehicles, according to J.D. Power’s press release on the study.
The figure is 22 below the 204 industry average, a strong result for a sports car maker. It is also a reminder that this study measures problems reported at age three and is separate from the repair costs that owners may face over the long run. Anyone shopping the sports car range can pair that dependability score with a close look at maintenance plans and ownership costs.
10. Chevrolet: Third Among Mass Market
Chevrolet placed third among mass-market brands at 178 problems per 100, according to J.D. Power’s study release.
That is 26 below the industry average of 204 and four better than Porsche’s 182. Shoppers who assume a large sales brand must trail the luxury names can note that Chevrolet outscored several of them here, including Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Even so, shoppers should weigh model-specific reviews and warranty terms, since a brand score blends many different vehicles.
11. Cadillac: Second Among Premium
Cadillac took second among premium brands at 175 problems per 100 vehicles, J.D. Power reports.
That score is 29 below the 204 industry average and ahead of Porsche, which placed one spot lower in the premium group. For luxury buyers, the result shows an American nameplate outscoring several European rivals in this particular study. Shoppers can still compare it against Porsche and Lexus on warranty, resale value and the cost of routine maintenance before choosing.
12. MINI: Second Among Mass Market
MINI scored 168 problems per 100, second among mass-market brands, according to J.D. Power.
The small-car brand finished ten points better than Chevrolet’s third-place 178 and 36 below the industry average of 204. Buyers eyeing a used MINI can take it as a favorable sign about three-year problem rates while still checking each car’s history. Checking each car’s service record remains worthwhile, because a brand score describes the group rather than any single vehicle on a lot.
13. Buick: Top of the Mass Market
Buick led all mass-market brands at 160 problems per 100 vehicles, according to J.D. Power’s release.
That is 44 below the 204 industry average and eight better than MINI’s 168. The win may surprise shoppers who overlook the brand, since the study ranks it ahead of every other mass-market name on the list. Shoppers comparing family crossovers and sedans can add that result to their research alongside safety ratings, pricing and fuel economy.
14. Lexus: Most Dependable at 151
Lexus is the most dependable brand at 151 problems per 100, about half Volkswagen’s figure, Jalopnik reports.
The gap between first and last is 150 problems per 100 vehicles. Buyers who put dependability first have a clear benchmark in the study, though a single survey is not a guarantee for any individual car and condition still matters on a used purchase. A strong score is a good starting point, yet it works best alongside a vehicle history report and a test drive before buying.
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