J.D. Power 2017 Study: Lexus and Porsche are the Most Dependable Automotive Brands
The J.D. Power 2017 Vehicle Dependability Study found both Lexus and Porsche to be the most dependable brands in the industry, while Fiat was found to be the least dependable brand
For nearly three decades, J.D. Power has conducted its Vehicle Dependability Study in order to examine which automotive brands are the most reliable and the least reliable. Yesterday, the findings from the J.D. Power 2017 Vehicle Dependability Study were released by the organization. While several brands were found to be more dependable than in previous years, on average vehicles seem to be encountering more problems.
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The latest J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study, now in its 28th year, examined any problems encountered by a sample of 35,186 2014 model-year vehicles over the past 12 months. The fewer problems encountered during that period, the higher the ranking for the brand.
According to the study, Lexus and Porsche tied for the title of most dependable brand, with both only encountering an average 110 problems per 100 vehicles. Meanwhile, Fiat was found to be the least dependable brand, encountering an average 298 problems per 100 vehicles.
The rankings for the automotive brands, based on the problems per 100 vehicles encountered, can be viewed in the chart below:
For the 2017 Vehicle Dependability Study, the average problems per 100 vehicles metric for all brands was 156. For the 2016 Vehicle Dependability Study, the average problems per 100 vehicles metric for all brands was 152, which means that this year’s study found a 4 point increase on average for problems encountered.
The rankings for each brand for the J.D. Power 2016 Vehicle Dependability Study can be examined in the chart below:
Vehicle problems examined were grouped into eight major categories. One category that appears to be troublesome for the industry is technology-related issues, specifically in regards to entertainment and navigation systems. Overall, problems encountered in the Audio/Communication/Entertainment/Navigation category accounted for 22 percent of the problems reported.
While the average score for vehicles in the 2017 study was a bit worse for the wear, several brands achieved improved rankings. Dodge, which was ranked last in dependability the previous year, climbed up three rankings with an average 187 problems per 100 vehicles. Meanwhile Hyundai, which experienced more problems than the average brand in 2016’s study, was ranked the sixth most dependable automotive brand for 2017.
However, several brands saw their dependability scores plummet for the 2017 study. Fiat, which only experienced an average of 171 problems per 100 vehicles in 2016, experienced 298 problems per 100 vehicles in 2017, making it by and large the least dependable automotive brand featured in the study.
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The J.D. Power 2017 Vehicle Dependability Study also examined which vehicles were the most reliable for each segment in the industry.
J.D. Power 2017 Vehicle Dependability Study: Most Dependable Vehicles for Each Vehicle Segment
- Most Dependable Small Car: Chevrolet Sonic
- Most Dependable Compact Car: Toyota Prius
- Most Dependable Midsize Car: Toyota Camry
- Most Dependable Large Car: Toyota Avalon
- Most Dependable Small SUV: Volkswagen Tiguan
- Most Dependable Compact SUV: Toyota FJ Cruiser
- Most Dependable Midsize SUV: Toyota Venza
- Most Dependable Large SUV: Chevrolet Tahoe
- Most Dependable Midsize Pickup: Honda Ridgeline
- Most Dependable Large Light Duty Pickup: Ford F-150
- Most Dependable Large Heavy Duty Pickup: Chevrolet Silverado HD
- Most Dependable Minivan: Toyota Sienna
Overall, the J.D. Power study found that the 10 top-selling 2014 vehicles averaged 134 problems per 100 vehicles, significantly better than the average score for the industry as a whole.
“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,” said Dave Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power.
Indeed, the findings of the J.D. Power 2017 Vehicle Dependability Study may have a profound effect on vehicle sales for each brand in the automotive industry.
Gallery: The Top 6 Most Dependable Vehicle Brands
[wptab name=”Lexus”]
#1 (Tie): Lexus
110 Problems per 100 Vehicles
[/wptab]
[wptab name=”Porsche”]
#1 (Tie): Porsche
110 Problems per 100 Vehicles
[/wptab]
[wptab name=”Toyota”]
#3: Toyota
123 Problems per 100 Vehicles
[/wptab]
[wptab name=”Buick”]
#4: Buick
126 Problems per 100 Vehicles
[/wptab]
[wptab name=”Mercedes Benz”]
#5: Mercedes-Benz
131 Problems per 100 Vehicles
[/wptab]
[wptab name=”Hyundai”]
#6: Hyundai
133 Problems per 100 Vehicles
[/wptab]
[end_wptabset]
Gallery: The Top 6 Least Dependable Vehicle Brands
[wptab name=”Ford”]
#6 (Tie): Ford
183 Problems per 100 Vehicles
[/wptab]
[wptab name=”Ram”]
#6 (Tie): Ram
183 Problems per 100 Vehicles
[/wptab]
[wptab name=”Dodge”]
#4: Dodge
187 Problems per 100 Vehicles
[/wptab]
[wptab name=”Infiniti”]
#3: Infiniti
203 Problems per 100 Vehicles
[/wptab]
[wptab name=”Jeep”]
#2: Jeep
209 Problems per 100 Vehicles
[/wptab]
[wptab name=”Fiat”]
#1: Fiat
298 Problems per 100 Vehicles
[/wptab]
[end_wptabset]
Source: J.D. Power
Zachary Berry currently resides in the Dayton, Ohio area. However, he enjoys traveling from place to place, as he was born in Oklahoma City and has also lived in Albuquerque and Orlando (such is the life of a military brat). Zachary graduated from Ohio University with a major in Strategic Communication, which is fancy talk for advertising and public relations. Beginning his career at The News Wheel as a lowly intern, he was able to climb his way to the top, eventually claiming his place within the last cubicle on the left. Other jobs that Zachary has held include driving around a safari truck at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. When he’s not putting his nose to the grindstone, Zachary enjoys watching and critiquing movies and television. See more articles by Zachary.