Porsche has an excellent reputation for reliability in the industry, and one that proves to be somewhat of an anomaly for a sports and supercar company. Unlike other cars in its segment, it is designed to be perfectly capable of taking on the role of a daily driver. Because of this, Porsche is aware that having a high-performance car that is potentially driven over 10,000 miles a year requires a fine-tooth comb for quality control. With rigorous testing cycles, far more stringent than most companies, and over-engineered cooling systems, you start to understand why Porsche has solidified the reputation it has.
However, Porsches are still vastly complex cars compared to mass-produced sedans or hatchbacks that simply have a lot more to go wrong. That being said, in JD Power’s recent 2026 U.S. vehicle dependability study, there were some small surprises and a couple of shockers. We will be analyzing what surprises beat Porsche on the list, so let’s find out what manufacturers are climbing the ranks of reliability, trying to win the hearts of consumers in the United States.
Brands are listed in descending order based on Problems Per 100 Vehicles (PP100) score, from the highest PP100 to the lowest.
Subaru
181 Problems Per 100 Vehicles
Subaru is one of the first huge surprises on this list. Just one year ago, Subaru ranked 17th on the same list, with 212 problems per 100 vehicles being reported. With the study average being 202 in 2025, Subaru fell below the standard result. However, moving into 2026, the company has had one of, if not the most prevalent, reliability glow-ups in the industry. They now sit at 181 PP100 (problems per 100 cars), an enormous leap forward for the company.
Evolution Of JD Power’s Subaru Reliability Scoring
- Subaru 2023: 214 PP100
- Subaru 2024: 198 PP100
- Subaru 2025: 212 PP100
- Subaru 2026: 181 PP100
One of the pesky aspects of modern vehicles that can always catch them out in the JD Power study is small glitches focused on the infotainment system. For models like the 2026 Ouback, Subaru brought back certain physical controls and set about simplifying its touchscreen interface, resulting in fewer issues. Subaru also doesn’t choose to revolutionize like Porsche; they opt for incremental upgrades to existing technology with more tried and tested methods.
Chevrolet
178 Problems Per 100 Vehicles
Coming in just ahead of Subaru is Chevrolet. Whilst not the first vehicle you think of when you imagine something truly reliable, when you examine the reasons as to why, it all makes sense. Similar to other manufacturers on this list, Chevy loves to refine an idea over the course of many years rather than risk breakthrough technology that more luxurious brands do. With multiple trucks as part of their lineup, Chevy designs them with heavy-duty work in mind, meaning they are comparatively overbuilt when driven as a normal commuter.
Evolution Of JD Power’s Chevrolet Reliability Scoring
- Chevrolet 2023: 162 PP100
- Chevrolet 2024: 173 PP100
- Chevrolet 2025: 169 PP100
- Chevrolet 2026: 178 PP100
Chevrolet also values simplicity alongside their tried and tested approach. Many manufacturers are dipping their toes into electrification and plug-in hybrids, exposing early adoption weaknesses that a simple gasoline engine simply won’t struggle with. The vast majority of their sales have been from internal combustion vehicles, meaning they won’t see the steep drop that other, more daring companies will be faced with. Across the board, their stable and consistent approach to design philosophy has allowed them to dominate the JD Power studies.
Cadillac
175 Problems Per 100 Vehicles
Year-on-year, the industry average of JD Power’s Problems Per 100 Cars is becoming higher and higher, leading to the concerning reality that cars are slowly getting less dependable. Because cars are so complex now, one minor software bug can affect thousands of cars. Cadillac made special efforts in the last few years to iron out some of those problems, ensuring the glitches don’t get the better of the dependability of the base vehicle. With more mature wireless integration and a simplification overhaul, Cadillac has managed to avoid many of the annoyances that many cars, including Porsches, face.
Evolution Of JD Power’s Cadillac Reliability Scoring
- Cadillac 2023: 173 PP100
- Cadillac 2024: 196 PP100
- Cadillac 2025: 169 PP100
- Cadillac 2026: 175 PP100
Clearly, in the past two years, Cadillac’s commitment to software stability has made a serious 20-30 point difference and also shows it has managed to stay clear of the industry plummet in reliability. Even in a one-to-one comparison with Porsche, the Cadillac XT6 was the segment winner for most dependable vehicle in its class, with the Porsche Cayenne trailing behind.
Mini
168 Problems Per 100 Vehicles
Mini has to be one of the most astonishing turnarounds for reliability over the past decade or two. It was practically written in automotive language that the Mini Cooper was one of the most delicate cars of its class in the 2000s and 2010s. With this reputation still lingering, it’s encouraging to see a brand prove the perception wrong. With the BMW-sourced engines in production for a long time now, they have matured into genuinely reliable units. This strong powertrain platform, combined with avoiding BMW’s more insane tech-focused features, means it gets the solid BMW bedrock without the fiddly, experimental gizmos attached to it.
Evolution Of JD Power’s Mini Reliability Scoring
- Mini 2023: 170 PP100
- Mini 2024: 174 PP100
- Mini 2025: 190 PP100
- Mini 2026: 168 PP100
With a stable history over the past few years of comfortably beating the industry average, Mini is now within reach of the top spot. Its years of refinement have served it valiantly, and it also holds the advantageous position of being a fairly simplistic car. With a basic suspension system, a straightforward FWD setup, and a lack of luxury features, the Mini can avoid many of the issues that plague other manufacturers.
Buick
160 Problems Per 100 Vehicles
Buick is the perfect example of the tried and tested over experimentation formula that Cadillac and Chevrolet are also part of. Whilst Buick doesn’t scream out reliability, their tendency to rummage through the GM parts bin and use the most established tech on offer is the main reason for their incredible stability. Buick is dusting off the same 2.0-liter turbos and nine-speed transmission that have already been used in millions of cars. Whilst this is arguably playing it safe, discouraging innovation and granting them an easy ride, the formula undoubtedly works, and it means no nasty surprises when purchasing a new Buick in 2026.
Evolution Of JD Power’s Buick Reliability Scoring
- Buick 2023: 159 PP100
- Buick 2024: 149 PP100
- Buick 2025: 143 PP100
- Buick 2026: 160 PP100
When you consider the usage of the same powertrains and technology for each car, and Buick’s focus on small refinements, it’s no wonder the scores are both wildly impressive and staggeringly consistent. Because of the straightforward approach to design and “mastering the basics” philosophy, Buicks are commonly chosen as no-nonsense family cars and commuters. The “A to B attitude” of many Buick drivers leads the cars to often live a simple, stress-free life. Rarely being pushed hard, and usually either sailing on the highway or carrying out the school run. Either way, it’s a brilliant dependability score and a sincere reason to buy one.
Study Indicates Vehicle Quality Getting Worse
Vehicle dependability is declining, says J.D. Power, with reported problems at their highest level since 2009.
The Unsurprising First Place Lexus, Which Must Be Mentioned
151 Problems Per 100 Vehicles
It must be a privileged position to be in to have won 13 out of the past 15 years of JD Power’s dependability study, and Lexus has done just that. With an incredible eight-year streak from 2012 to 2019, and currently sitting on a four-year streak as of 2026, Lexus is the undeniable champion of reliability. Even more impressively, it doesn’t rely on the same trick that many cars on this list stick to. Luxury cars tend to be more unreliable, with more tech-based features that go wrong or glitch. But with the sheer levels of refinements, the stringent Toyota quality testing, and the phenomenal powertrains, Lexus is quite literally unstoppable.
Evolution Of JD Power’s Lexus Reliability Scoring
- Lexus 2023: 133 PP100
- Lexus 2024: 135 PP100
- Lexus 2025: 140 PP100
- Lexus 2026: 151 PP100
Porsche Doesn’t Win, But It Innovates Reliability
Sure, Porsche has been beaten by all the other cars mentioned in this list in the 2026 JD Power study. But it doesn’t stop the fact that Porsche is one of, if not the most impressive, of all the candidates. There is a rhythm and pattern which most of these cars follow: a gentle, tried-and-tested approach; letting the others revolutionize whilst they incrementally improve. Both are excellent routes to go down for different reasons.
Evolution Of JD Power’s Porsche Reliability Scoring
- Porsche 2023: 208 PP100
- Porsche 2024: 175 PP100
- Porsche 2025: 186 PP100
- Porsche 2026: 182 PP100
But with Porsche’s commitment to cars that are designed to be pushed, bleeding-edge technology, complex hybrid systems, and tech that often hasn’t been long-term tested, it is a complete outlier in an otherwise safe-playing field. It is no surprise that, with the introduction of constantly changing technology, Porsche’s PP100 rating is fairly inconsistent.
Sources: JD Power