Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

These are the most reliable cars, according to J.D. Power

Find out who topped J.D. Power's list of most reliable car brands

J.D. Power is back with its annual Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) for 2023 and there’s some good news. The average number of problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) went down to 186, which marks an improvement of 6 PP100 from 2022. The order for the most reliable automakers has changed since last year, and the list of the most reliable cars per segment is, surprisingly, diverse. Unfortunately, luxury brands and American automakers continue to rank as the least reliable brands.

If you’re unfamiliar with JD Power’s annual study, the organization rates new vehicles based on the average number of problems that owners experience per 100 vehicles. J.D. Power assigns scores based on their performance in nine categories: climate; driving assistance; driving experience; exterior; features/controls/displays; infotainment; interior; powertrain; and seats. A higher PP100 score correlates to a vehicle with more issues.

Related Videos
2022 BMW X5 Black Vermilion Edition front end angle from passenger's side parked in a warehouse.
BMW

Here are the top 10 most reliable automakers from J.D. Power’s 2023 VDS with their PP100 scores:

  • Lexus (133)
  • Genesis (144)
  • Kia (152)
  • Buick (159)
  • Chevrolet (162)
  • Mitsubishi (167)
  • Toyota (168)
  • Hyundai (170)
  • MINI (170)
  • Nissan (170)

Compared to last year, Lexus took the top spot from Kia, which still did well enough to earn the top spot for mass-market automakers. Ram (189), Volvo (215), and Nissan (170) had the largest improvements compared to last year. We’re especially taken aback by Mitsubishi’s climb up the chart, as the Japanese brand isn’t known for its reliability, but finished in sixth place in 2023 compared to 14th place last year.

J.D. Power names individual winners for the most dependable vehicles based on specific segments. Toyota, which includes Lexus, had the most winners with six vehicles, including the Lexus RX and Toyota C-HR, which were named the most dependable models in the study. BMW finished in second place in a tie with General Motors with four award-winning vehicles. BMW’s most dependable models include the X2, X5, and 4-Series, while the Chevrolet Blazer, Tahoe, and Silverado HD were GM’s most reliable vehicles. Hyundai Motor Group, which includes Kia, also had multiple award winners with the Kia Optima, Sportage, and Forte.

While the industry average of 186 PP100 is better than last year, J.D. found that infotainment systems continued to be one of the most problematic areas for vehicles. Voice recognition, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, and difficulty with the touchscreen were some of the more prevalent issues.

Shoppers that want to avoid an automaker that landed on J.D. Power’s wrong end of the list and are the least reliable cars will want to stay away from Land Rover, Lincoln, Audi, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Chrysler, Volkswagen, Volvo, and Subaru. Land Rover had the worst score of 273 PP100, while Subaru was slightly better, but was still well below average with a score of 214 PP100.

Editors' Recommendations

BMW’s latest all-electric concept is a beach-ready scooter with a surfboard
The battery-powered scooter is the resulting lovechild from BMW Motorrad and Vagabund Moto
BMW CE 04 Vagabund Moto Concept parked in the middle of a studio with a man looking at the scooter.

Based on the photos that BMW Motorrad, BMW's motorcycle arm, released of the BMW CE 04 Vagabund Moto Concept, one would assume that it’s an art piece that’s meant to sit front and center in a Los Angeles apartment. But that’s not the case. The CE 04 is the latest concept from the two companies and is an all-electric scooter with an eye on urban mobility, but somehow, it has a rack to carry a matching surfboard. Yeah, we’re a little confused by the concept, but in a good way.

If you’re familiar with the Austrian-based Vagabund, you’re probably not surprised by the CE 04 Concept. Vagabund Moto is a design studio that’s created some pretty radical car and motorcycle concepts, many of which utilize BMW’s bikes as the base. The team at Vagabund have a history of making some incredible concepts, so the CE 04 Concept fits right in with their theme of urban machines with an eye-catching design. 

Read more
Mercedes just integrated TikTok into its in-car entertainment system (really)
The third-party app will displayed on the 2024 E-Class’ enormous and high-tech Superscreen
2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Superscreen close up on TikTok application.

Mercedes-Benz is consistently at the forefront of innovation. Depending on who you ask, Mercedes-Benz was the first to introduce the modern automobile, to place brakes on all four wheels of a car, and come out with crumple zones for safety. Not sexy, but definitely innovative stuff. Mercedes just gave the world the first glimpse at the 2024 E-Class, and the midsize sedan is an absolute powerhouse on the tech front. The automaker's best seller arrives with a new Superscreen system and native third-party access to popular entertainment apps like Angry Birds, Zoom, Vilvadi web browser, Webex by Cisco, and TikTok.

While GOP leaders in red states are trying to ban TikTok in the United States, claiming that the app provides the Chinese government with sensitive information, Mercedes-Benz has pulled a hold-my-non-alcoholic-beer moment by bringing the app to the new E-Class with its new MB.OS operating system. Obviously, Mercedes doesn’t want you to access TikTok while driving, because recording how you’re going to steal a Hyundai or Kia, which is something you probably learned on TikTok, from behind the wheel of your Mercedes E-Class just isn’t safe. Owners will be able to access TikTok, and other apps, through the infotainment system when the car is parked. Since the E-Class’ dashboard has two screens, your passenger can join in on all the fun that TikTok offers.

Read more
Honda stuffed an 800-HP IndyCar powertrain into the family-friendly CR-V
Honda CR-V's IndyCar engine: The result may be the most absurd, fastest, and track-ready SUV ever
Honda CR-V Hybrid Racer front end angle from driver's side parked in the middle of a road at night.

Honda is a diverse company with a wide range of products that includes planes, boat engines, and motorcycles. The Japanese brand is best known for its reliable and well-built cars that, for the most part, are boring -- except for the Civic Type R. Take the Honda CR-V, for example. It’s a class-leading SUV, but you’re not going to buy it for its thrilling performance. Leave it to Honda and some hysterical engineers without a budget to make a drool-worthy CR-V. All it took was for Honda to cram an 800-horsepower, hybrid powertrain from an IndyCar and create a deranged design. Honda describes the CR-V Hybrid Racer in the best way, calling it a “rolling electrified laboratory.”
Before we get into the CR-V Hybrid Racer, we’re going to try to rationalize its existence. IndyCar is introducing some new rules for the 2024 season. Honda, which first got into IndyCar in 1994, is getting ready for the upcoming 2024 season, where IndyCars will have to be electrified. To strum up some interest in the next era of IndyCar racing, Honda has come out with the CR-V Hybrid Racer, which the automaker is calling a “sneak preview.”

Previous

Read more