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.
- 18-29
- 30-39
- 40-49
- 50-59
- 60-69
- 70-79
- 80+
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.
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.
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7. Porsche
Porsche came in at number seven with 186 problems per 100 vehicles.
Popular models include the Porsche 718, and the brand has a strong presence in the premium sports car category.
6. GMC
GMC joins the top 10 list this year with 181 issues per vehicle, according to the J.D. Power survey. The GMC Terrain got a top spot in the compact SUV category.
5. Cadillac (Tie)
Also sharing that number five spot by coming in at 169 issues per 100 vehicles is Cadillac.
Cadillac joins the top 10 list this year in large part due to the XT5, which ranks highly in the midsize premium SUV category.
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 Blazer, which was highly ranked in the midsize SUV category.
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 Venza, which ranked highly in the midsize SUV category.
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 CX-9.
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2. Buick
Holding spot #2 is Buick. J.D. Power found that Buick had 143 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.
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 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.
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