Volkswagen Drops to Last Place in U.S. Reliability Rankings
The renowned U.S. research firm J.D. Power has released its latest annual report on vehicle reliability, offering insight into the most dependable cars on the American market. From August to November 2024, researchers surveyed 34,000 owners of vehicles up to three years old, gathering data on the number and nature of problems they encountered. The responses were then compiled into the PP100 index (Problems Per 100 Vehicles), which quantifies the average number of complaints per 100 cars.
A Shocking Turn for Volkswagen
This year's biggest surprise came from Volkswagen, which recorded a staggering 285 complaints per 100 vehicles—plummeting to the bottom of the ranking and falling three places compared to the previous year. Other manufacturers at the lower end of the scale included Chrysler (282), Jeep (275), Audi (273), and Land Rover (270). Notably, Jeep, which had previously occupied a mid-table position, has now sunk to the bottom alongside Volkswagen.
Overall, the industry average for 2025 stands at 202 complaints per 100 vehicles, indicating a slight decline in perceived reliability compared to the previous year.
The Leaders: Lexus, Buick, and Mazda Stay on Top
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Lexus (140), Buick (143), Mazda (161), Toyota (162), and Cadillac (169) continue to dominate the reliability rankings. It comes as no surprise that Japanese brands remain at the top, but a notable climber this year has been Cadillac, General Motors’ luxury marque, which has strengthened its reputation for dependability.
The Most Reliable Car in the U.S.
The title of the most reliable vehicle on the U.S. market went to the Toyota Avalon. Though the full-size sedan has already been discontinued in North America, it remains a favorite among long-distance drivers and families, thanks to its durability and comfort.
Other category winners included the Toyota RAV4, Camry, Tacoma, Sienna, and Lexus GX, reinforcing Toyota’s stronghold on the reliability charts.
