Saving & Spending Home & Auto

J.D. Power Says These Are the Most Dependable Cars You Can Buy In 2024

Dependability should be an important factor when you're trying to decide on your next vehicle.

By Jenny Cohen

Edited by Michael Kurko

Updated Jan. 22, 2025

It's important to consider not just the cost of buying a car but also how much it costs to maintain it or any repairs that you might encounter during its ownership.

J.D. Power released its Vehicle Dependability Study for 2025, which ranks manufacturers based on the number of problems their cars may have per 100 vehicles. The national average is 202 issues per 100 vehicles.

Check out these brands to see which vehicles might be a smart money move to add to your list if you're concerned about reliability — and the costs you may incur if you own a less-than-dependable vehicle.

Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt

Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.

National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.¹ <p>Clients who are able to stay with the program and get all their debt settled realize approximate savings of 46% before fees, or 25% including our fees, over 12 to 48 months. All claims are based on enrolled debts. Not all debts are eligible for enrollment. Not all clients complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Estimates based on prior results, which will vary based on specific circumstances. We do not guarantee that your debts will be lowered by a specific amount or percentage or that you will be debt-free within a specific period of time. We do not assume consumer debt, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Not available in all states. Please contact a tax professional to discuss tax consequences of settlement. Please consult with a bankruptcy attorney for more information on bankruptcy. Depending on your state, we may be available to recommend a local tax professional and/or bankruptcy attorney. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment, including potential adverse impact on credit rating.</p>

How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.

Try it

10. Kia

Kia rounds out the top ten this year, with 196 problems per 100 vehicles.

Popular models include the compact Forte and the Sedona minivan.

Who really has the cheapest auto insurance in your area? Check your zip code here.

9. MINI

MINI, according to the J.D. Power survey, had 190 issues per 100 vehicles.

The MINI segment is known for its compact design and unique features compared to more traditional cars and SUVs.

8. BMW

BMW came in eighth place with 189 issues per vehicle, according to the J.D. Power survey.

The brand actually had a few high-ranking models, though. For instance, its 3 Series and 4 Series each earned a spot within the top three most dependable compact premium cars.

Smart Drivers, Smarter Savings

Compare car insurance rates in Virginia

See if you qualify for a lower rate in less than 2 minutes

Check Rates

By clicking the button above, I understand and agree that this site uses site visit recording technology (provided by Trusted Form, Jornaya, and Microsoft Clarity) Privacy Policy

7. Porsche

Porsche came in at number seven with 186 problems per 100 vehicles.

The manufacturer nabbed the most dependable vehicle model entirely with its Porsche 718. It also took the top spot for premium sporty cars.

Don't Miss: 7 warning signs you're paying too much for car insurance.

6. GMC

GMC joins the top ten list this year with 181 issues per vehicle, according to the J.D. Power survey.

GMC got a boost from its Acadia mioel, which won the highest-ranked upper midsize SUV.

5. Cadillac

Also sharing that number five spot by coming in at 169 issues per 100 vehicles is Cadillac.

Cadillac joins the top ten list this year in large part to the XT6, which is the most dependable upper midsize premium SUV.

5. Chevrolet (Tie)

The number five spot is a tie, with Chevrolet and Cadillac sharing the spot. According to J.D. Power, the Chevy brand had 169 issues per 100 vehicles.

Chevrolet's spot was likely boosted by its well-performing models, including the Corvette, which was the highest rank premium sporty car and the Tahoe, the highest ranked large SUV.

4. Toyota

According to J.D. Power, Toyota earned a score of 162 issues per 100 vehicles.

One reason for its spot was the Toyota Avalon, which earned the top spot for the most dependable model. It also took the top spot for four other categories, specifically the most dependable compact car for the Toyota Corolla, midsize car for the Toyota Camry, compact SUV for the Toyota RAV4, and midsize pickup for the Toyota Tacoma.

3. Mazda

Jumping four spots from last year, Mazda's dependability came in at 161 issues per 100 vehicles on J.D. Power. The company's offerings include the popular CX-5 and Mazda6.

2. Buick

Moving up a spot from last year to #2 is Buick. J.D. Power found that Buick had 143 problems per 100 vehicles, helping the brand jump a spot compared to last year.

Buick's lineup includes vehicles like the Enclave and Encore SUVs. Like Chevrolet, which also made the list, Buick is owned by General Motors.

Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account

Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!² <p>See website for details.</p>

With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!

This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.

Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.

Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today

1. Lexus

Topping the list is Lexus with only 140 issues per 100 vehicles, according to J.D. Power.

Lexus got a boost from its models, such as the Lexus ES and the Lexus RX. In fact, the Lexus GX won the highest-ranked midsize premium SUV.

Bottom line

Before you save up for a car, it's a good idea to create a budget and factor in not only the cost but also issues like dependability, maintenance, and other factors.

You'll also want to shop around for the best car insurance to try and reduce the overall cost if your new car.

More from FinanceBuzz:

Save On Your Auto Insurance

You could save up to $600 with some companies
Compare dozens of providers in under 5 minutes
Fast, free and easy way to shop for insurance
Quickly find the perfect rate for you

Get a quote now

Author Details

Jenny Cohen

Jenny Cohen is a freelance writer who has covered a bit of everything, from finance to sports to her favorite TV shows. Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and FoxSports.com.