JD Power Finds Dependability Slipping as Software Problems Grow

New vehicles are packed with more technology than ever, but that doesn’t mean they’re getting easier to live with.

According to the JD Power 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, long-term vehicle dependability is getting worse, with owners reporting the highest number of problems since the study was redesigned in 2022.

The study found that vehicles now average 204 problems per 100 vehicles after three years of ownership, up slightly from last year. JD Power says many of the biggest complaints are tied to infotainment systems, software updates, and exterior issues like abnormal noises.

Software Updates Becoming Common, But Not Always Helpful

Over-the-air updates are becoming routine, with 40% of owners saying their vehicle received a software update in the past year. But the results weren’t especially positive.

Only 27% of owners said the update improved their vehicle, while 58% said they noticed no difference. JD Power also found that vehicles receiving OTA updates experienced a nearly 14% increase in reported problems.

JD Power says automakers may need to do a better job explaining what updates are meant to fix or improve.

Phone Connectivity Remains the Biggest Headache

Many of the most common complaints weren’t about engines or transmissions, but about how well vehicles work with smartphones.

For the third straight year, the top reported issue in the industry was Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, followed by other phone-related concerns such as Bluetooth problems, wireless charging issues, and automaker app connectivity.

Premium Brands Falling Behind

One of the more surprising findings is that premium vehicles were less dependable than mass-market models.

JD Power says premium vehicles averaged 217 problems per 100 vehicles, compared with mass-market vehicles, widening the gap between the two segments.

Electrified Vehicles Still More Problematic

The study also suggests that electrified vehicles continue to have more reported issues than traditional gas-powered models.

Plug-in hybrids had the most problems, averaging 281 problems per 100 vehicles, while EVs averaged 237. Gas-powered vehicles performed best, with 198 problems per 100 vehicles.

Lexus and Buick Lead Brand Rankings

For the fourth consecutive year, Lexus ranked highest overall in the study, with a score of 151 problems per 100 vehicles. Cadillac ranked second, followed by Porsche.

In the mass-market category, Buick took the top spot for the second year in a row, followed by MINI and Chevrolet.

JD Power also named the Lexus IS as the top overall model in the study, while Toyota Motor Corporation earned the most model-level awards with eight.

Study Covers 2023 Model-Year Vehicles

The 2026 study is based on responses from 33,268 original owners of 2023 model-year vehicles, collected between December 2024 and November 2025

JD Power says the 2027 version of the study will include expanded data collection and verified repair data to help automakers identify issues sooner.

This article was co-written using AI and was then heavily edited and optimized by our editorial team.