These 10 Car Brands Might Let You Down

JD Power’s latest Vehicle Dependability Study paints a familiar picture of a modern car industry still wrestling with the consequences of turning automobiles into rolling computers.

In its 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, which surveys owners of 2023 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership, the firm reports the highest problem levels recorded since the study was redesigned in 2022. The industry average now stands at 204 problems per 100 vehicles, up two points from last year. In JD Power’s scoring system, a lower number indicates fewer reported issues. The study is based on responses from 33,268 original vehicle owners.

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By AutoGuide.com Staff

At the brand level, Mazda, Honda, and Hyundai all find themselves in the mushy middle. Brands like Hyundai and BMW find themselves clustered around the industry average of 204 PP100.

Be sure to check out the list of the ten most dependable automakers in 2026.

these 10 car brands might let you down

10) Ford

Ford ranks tenth from the bottom, or 18th overall, in vehicle dependability among all measured brands, with a score of 228 problems per 100 vehicles.

these 10 car brands might let you down, 10 Ford

9) GMC

GMC ranks ninth from the bottom, or 19th overall, in vehicle dependability among all measured brands, with a score of 229 problems per 100 vehicles.

these 10 car brands might let you down, 9 GMC

8) Acura

Acura ranks eighth from the bottom, or 20th overall, in vehicle dependability among all measured brands, with a score of 233 problems per 100 vehicles, the same as Infiniti.

these 10 car brands might let you down, 8 Acura

7) Infiniti

Infiniti ranks seventh from the bottom, or 21st overall, in vehicle dependability among all measured brands, with a score of 233 problems per 100 vehicles.

these 10 car brands might let you down, 7 Infiniti

6) Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz ranks sixth from the bottom, or 22nd overall, in vehicle dependability among all brands, with a score of 235 problems per 100 vehicles.

these 10 car brands might let you down, 6 Mercedes Benz

5) Audi

Land Rover ranks fifth from the bottom, or 23rd overall, in vehicle dependability among all brands, with a score of 244 problems per 100 vehicles.

these 10 car brands might let you down, 5 Audi

4) Jeep

Land Rover ranks fourth from the bottom, or 24th overall, in vehicle dependability among all brands, with a score of 267 problems per 100 vehicles.

these 10 car brands might let you down, 4 Jeep

3) Land Rover

Land Rover ranks third last, or 25th overall, in vehicle dependability among all brands, with a score of 274 problems per 100 vehicles.

these 10 car brands might let you down, 3 Land Rover

2) Volvo

Volvo ranks second-worst in vehicle dependability among all brands, with a score of 296 problems per 100 vehicles. That places Volvo 26th overall among all measured brands.

these 10 car brands might let you down, 2 Volvo

1) Volkswagen

Volkswagen ranks last overall in vehicle dependability among all brands, with a score of 301 problems per 100 vehicles. For context, VW's figure is almost double Lexus's leading total of 151 problems per 100 vehicles.

these 10 car brands might let you down, 1 Volkswagen

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