2022 Lexus, Buick, Mazda vehicles have fewest issues: survey

• Lexus, Buick and Mazda have the highest dependability for 2022 models; Toyota Avalon is the best among all vehicles
• That’s according to J.D. Power, which ranks three-year-old vehicles for problems
• This study reports the highest level of vehicle problems since 2009, but the pandemic’s part of that too

If you often say “they don’t build ‘em like they used to,” it appears you might be right. J.D. Power has released its 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, and reports that vehicle problems after three years of ownership have reached their highest level since 2009.

The study – which is dated 2025 but looks at three-year-old vehicles (which this year means model year 2022) – is measured in problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score indicating a higher-quality vehicle. Overall, the industry average is 202 PP100 — and that’s a 6% increase since the 2024 study.

J.D. Power said that rise in problems can be attributed to mass-market brands racking up an extra 16 PP100 “related in part to software defects,” but also noted that these vehicles were built during the pandemic, and the issues it caused with supply chains and personnel disruption.

The study, which is now in its 36^th year, looks at consumer-reported problems in 184 specific areas and across nine categories of climate; driving assistance; driving experience; exterior; features/controls/displays; infotainment; interior; powertrain; and seats.

Among some of the issues cited, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity were the top problem for the second consecutive year; while built-in Bluetooth systems and WiFi were also among the top software defects. J.D. Power noted that while software defects are only 9% of the total problems reported, “as vehicles become more software-reliant, this risk becomes more prominent.” Although 36% of owners performed an over-the-air (OTA) update to fix an issue, 56% of those said there was “no noticeable improvement.”

Hybrid vehicles experienced the fewest problems at 199 PP100, followed by gasoline vehicles at 200; battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) at 223; diesel vehicles at 233; and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) at 242 PP100. That was an improvement of 33 PP100 for BEVs from the 2024 study, but PHEVs declined by 26 PP100. Vehicles that were newly launched three years ago didn’t do all that well, with only four of the 27 models that were all-new for 2022 performing better than their segment dependability in 2025. Existing models that carried over into 2022 did far better.

Lexus was the top-ranking brand for its third consecutive year, with a score of 140 PP100. It was followed by Buick at 143; Mazda at 161; and Toyota at 162, a drop from its second-place position in the 2024 study when it had 147 PP100 (remember, a lower score equates to fewer problems). Cadillac rounded out the top five at 169 PP100.

Following them, in order, are Chevrolet, GMC, Porsche, BMW, Mini, Kia, and Honda, that last one with 201 PP100 — and all of them better than the industry average of 202 PP100.

Below the average, in order, are Ford and Infiniti (tied at 208 PP100), Alfa Romeo, Subaru, Genesis, Nissan, Lincoln, Hyundai, Ram, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, Acura, Mitsubishi, Land Rover, Audi, Jeep, Chrysler, and finally Volkswagen at 285 PP100.

Tesla is included in the study, but isn’t ranked in the standings, since it doesn’t meet J.D. Power’s criteria (mostly because some states won’t allow companies to poll customers without the automaker’s permission and Tesla won’t give it, so the study size doesn’t meet Power’s rules). It was rated at 209 PP100 — and if it had been ranked, it would have been between Ford-Infiniti and Alfa Romeo, putting Tesla a second rung below the industry average.

The study also names the top three models in each segment by their number of problems. If a segment doesn’t have a full three entries, it’s because no other vehicles ranked above the industry average in that category. Note that these are model-year-2022 vehicles and some models are no longer available — although its ranking can be important information if you’re looking at used vehicles to buy.

Most Dependable Model: Toyota Avalon (replaced by the Toyota Crown)

Compact Car

1. Toyota Corolla
2. Kia Forte (replaced by the Kia K4)
3. Subaru Impreza

Compact Premium Car

1. BMW 4 Series

Midsize Car

1. Toyota Camry
2. Nissan Altima
3. Hyundai Sonata

Premium Sporty Car

1. Chevrolet Corvette

Compact Premium SUV

1. Mercedes-Benz GLC
2. BMW X4
3. BMW X3

Compact SUV

1. Toyota RAV4
2. GMC Terrain
3. Mazda CX-5

Large SUV

1. Chevrolet Tahoe

Midsize Premium SUV

1. Lexus GX
2. Lexus RX
3. Cadillac XT5

Midsize SUV

1. Nissan Murano
2. Chevrolet Blazer
3. Toyota Venza (replaced by the Toyota Crown Signia)

Small SUV

1. Nissan Kicks (this last-generation version is currently sold as the Nissan Kicks Play)
2. Subaru Crosstrek
3. Buick Encore GX

Upper Midsize SUV

1. GMC Acadia
2. Buick Enclave
3. Mazda CX-9 (replaced by the Mazda CX-90)

Upper Midsize Premium SUV

1. Cadillac XT6
2. BMW X5
3. Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Large Heavy-Duty Pickup

1. Chevrolet Silverado HD
2. GMC Sierra HD

Large Light-Duty Pickup

1. Chevrolet Silverado
2. GMC Sierra

Midsize Pickup

1. Toyota Tacoma
2. GMC Canyon
3. Chevrolet Colorado

Minivan

1. Toyota Sienna

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