We love car rankings, and since we know you’re also curious to know which vehicle rules the market, here we bring you the new J.D. Power report, the ranking of the most reliable car brands of 2025. Buying a car is a real headache, whether you’re passionate about this world or know nothing about the brands that dominate the market. This 2025 ranking has completely shaken expectations, and although Japan remains at the top with Lexus and Mazda leading the chart (no surprise there), what really caught attention is the unexpected rise of Tesla, which has managed to reduce its number of failures more than any other brand. And while some classics like Toyota, Hyundai or Jeep fall a few positions. What’s going on in the car world? We’ll tell you.
First of all…
This analysis is mainly focused on the U.S. market (but clearly applicable to the global market). And it puts the spotlight on the most common problems, which surprisingly have to do with tech integration… Surprised?
Software, infotainment systems and smartphone connections are causing more headaches than the engine or the air conditioning. Crazy, right?
What is J.D. Power and why do their rankings matter
Founded in 1968, J.D. Power is a consulting firm specialized in market studies that collects real data from consumers to evaluate products and services. In the car industry, their Vehicle Dependability Study is one of the most respected. In this edition, more than 30,000 surveys from vehicle owners after three years of use were analysed.
What is the PP100 formula
The PP100 index (Problems Per 100 vehicles) measures how many problems a brand had per every 100 units sold. The lower the number, the more reliable the brand. This year, the industry average has gone up, which points to a worrying trend. The problems they usually list include: exterior, interior, seats, driving experience, air conditioning, controls, infotainment system, engine and driving aids.
The most reliable brands in 2025
Lexus tops the list again, no surprise to anyone. Lexus has been leading all the rankings for years, Toyota’s luxury brand has only reinforced its reputation. Although its score has worsened compared to previous years, it’s still the brand with the fewest reported issues. Next is Buick, which remains strong in the top 3, and Mazda, which stands out for having reduced its PP100 index by 24 points compared to the previous year.
The most radical change
The big surprise of the report is Tesla, which has managed to reduce its failure index by 43 points, even surpassing brands like Ford or BMW in improvement. Although it’s still not at the level of Lexus or Mazda, its progress marks a pretty important turning point now that it seemed to be battered by public opinion.
The sector’s Achilles heel: software
The study points out that the most common failures are no longer in the engine or brakes, but in the technology. The more features or options a car has, the more likely it is to have issues. Infotainment, integration with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and even proprietary systems from some brands are the main sources of dissatisfaction.
When the car becomes a giant mobile phone
56% of surveyed users say updates haven’t improved their systems, and as more digitally loaded the car is, the more chances there are of failures. And 56% of users say their experience hasn’t even improved after updates!
Unexpected drops in the list
Toyota, Hyundai, Jeep and Alfa Romeo have significantly worsened their scores, which has surprised both analysts and consumers. From Hyundai we weren’t expecting much else, especially after the recalls they’ve had this year, but what happened to Toyota? It usually ranks in the top 3 along with its luxury brand, and now it’s in fourth place with 15 more error points than in the last survey.
An industry more vulnerable after the pandemic
The cars evaluated in this ranking were bought in 2021, that is, during the pandemic. We don’t need to recall much from that time, but the drop in many brands may be due to component shortages and the tension felt during those months.
In this new scenario, automotive reliability no longer depends only on mechanics. Software stability, ease of use, and connectivity with devices have become crucial factors. And that changes the rules of the game. Is it clearer now for choosing your car?