J.D. Power says the rate at which car buyers report mechanical or technical issues within three years of purchase is on the rise. The 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study charts a 6% year-over-year increase in problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), reaching a 16-year high of 202 PP100.

Analysts blame software defects, device connection failures and a slew of underperforming new models, among other issues, for the spike.

“While the increase in problems this year may be a thorn in the side of automakers and owners, it’s important to remember that today’s three-year-old vehicles were built during a time when the industry was grappling with major disruptions,” writes Jason Norton, director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power, in a release announcing the findings. “Supply chain issues, record-high vehicle prices and personnel disruption in the wake of the pandemic were problematic.”

Lexus (140 PP100) and Buick (143) led all brands in dependability in 2024, trailed by Mazda (161), Toyota (162) and Cadillac (169).

Read more at J.D. Power