Porsche Named Most Dependable In Latest J.D. Power Survey

If you are looking for the most dependable cars on the road – after three years of ownership – the makes to look at are Porsche and Lexus.

The makes tied for top place in J.D. Power’s annual U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. J.D. Power's latest dependability survey shows that the American-made Toyota Camry is the most reliable U.S.-built car.

Following the top two are:

• Toyota
• Buick
• Mercedes
• Hyundai
• BMW
• Chevrolet
• Honda
• Jaguar

Four First-Timers

Mercedes, Hyundai, BMW and Jaguar were first-timers in the Top 10, while GMC, Acura, Ram and Lincoln were knocked out. According to the study, the industry averaged 156 problems per 100 vehicles. The figure has increased from 152 per 100 cars in last year’s study.

The four-problem increase was the second hike in as many years, the study indicated. Technology issues pushed the increase in problems. The items include problems with audio, communication, entertainment and navigation systems. Dave Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power, emphasized that automotive products are getting better in traditional suspension or mechanical issues. “These things are getting better, but it’s being offset by all the technology that’s being stuffed into our cars now,” he said.

The industry averaged 156 problems per 100 vehicles in the latest dependability study, up by four problems per 100 vehicles from 2016. The increase in problems, the second in as many years, was driven in large part by audio, communication, entertainment and navigation systems, which accounted for 22 percent of all reported problems, J.D. Power said.

The industry is getting “better and better” at preventing problems in traditional areas, such as suspension problems or mechanical issues, said Dave Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power.

”Things Are Getting Better”

“These things are getting better, but it’s being offset by all the technology that’s being stuffed into our cars now,” he said. Indeed, 60 percent of the most reliable brands saw increases in problems from last year, including the Lexus and Porsche. In fact, dependability is becoming a major factor in purchase decisions. “We find buyers are increasingly avoiding models with poor reputations for dependability, so manufacturers can’t afford to let quality slip, particularly on their best sellers,” Sargent continued.

“We find buyers are increasingly avoiding models with poor reputations for dependability, so manufacturers can’t afford to let quality slip, particularly on their best sellers,” Sargent said.

The owners of 35,000 2014 vehicles responded to this survey.The most-improved brand, year-to-year, was Hyundai. The automaker finished sixth, as noted. Fiat Chrysler Autos (FCA) had a tough time with four of the bottom five brands.

Source: Automotive News, J.D. Power