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Record Vehicle Problems Hit 204 Per 100 in 2026 J.D. Power Study
ZeroHedge reported that owners of three-year-old vehicles experienced a record 204 problems per 100 vehicles on average. Lexus led the J.D. Power rankings for the fourth consecutive year with 151 problems per 100 vehicles.
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ZeroHedge reported that drivers experienced more vehicle problems in 2026 than in any prior year covered by the J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. The industry average reached 204 problems per 100 vehicles, with infotainment systems generating the largest share of complaints across nine measured categories.
Lexus recorded the fewest issues at 151 problems per 100 vehicles and finished first for the fourth straight year. Buick placed second at 160 problems per 100 vehicles, followed by MINI at 168. Subaru, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, and Mazda all finished above the industry average.
Cadillac, Porsche, BMW, and Genesis ranked in the upper half of the study. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity problems remained the single most common complaint for the third consecutive year. Plug-in hybrid vehicles posted 281 problems per 100 vehicles, marking a sharp rise from the prior year, while gasoline-powered vehicles improved to 198 problems per 100 vehicles and were the only powertrain category to show gains.
Volkswagen, Volvo, and Land Rover posted the highest problem rates in the study, which surveys original owners of three-year-old vehicles and was released on or before June 28, 2026.
