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JD Power Says These Are the Most Dependable Cars You Can Buy In 2026

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

By Jenny Cohen , Edited by Jessica Gibson

Updated March 24, 2026

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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.

JD Power released its Vehicle Dependability Study for 2026, which ranks manufacturers based on the number of problems their cars may have per 100 vehicles. The national average is 204 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.

10. Nissan

Nissan rounds out the top ten this year, with 194 problems per 100 vehicles.

Popular models include the Rogue and the Sentra.

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9. Kia

Kia, according to the JD Power survey, had 193 issues per 100 vehicles.

Kia moved up two places in the rankings over last year. Popular Kia models include the Kia Telluride and Kia Sorento.

8. Toyota

Toyota came in eighth place with 185 issues per vehicle, according to the JD Power survey.

The brand also had the highest number of model-level awards, including the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Sienna, and Toyota 4Runner.

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7. Porsche

Porsche came in at number seven with 182 problems per 100 vehicles.

Popular models include the Porsche 718, and the brand has a strong presence in the premium sports car category.

6. Subaru

Subaru joins the top 10 list this year with 181 issues per vehicle, according to the JD Power survey. The Subaru Forester and Outback remain popular models.

5. Chevrolet

According to JD Power, the Chevy brand had 178 issues per 100 vehicles.

Chevrolet jumped one spot and was likely boosted by its well-performing models, including the Blazer, which was highly ranked in the midsize SUV category.

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4. Cadillac

Coming in at 175 issues per 100 vehicles is Cadillac.

Cadillac joined the top 10 list last year in large part due to the XT5, which ranks highly in the midsize premium SUV category.

3. MINI

Jumping seven spots from last year, MINI's dependability came in at 168 issues per 100 vehicles on JD Power. The company's offerings include the popular MINI Countryman and MINI Cooper.

2. Buick

Holding spot #2 is Buick. JD Power found that Buick had 160 problems per 100 vehicles.

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

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1. Lexus

Topping the list is Lexus with only 151 issues per 100 vehicles, according to JD Power.

Lexus got a boost from its models, such as the Lexus RX. In fact, the Lexus GX ranked highest among midsize premium SUVs. This brand is a great option if you want to keep more cash in your wallet in the long run.

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 car insurance to reduce the overall cost of your new car.