JD Power's Most Dependable Car Brands Aren't Toyota Or Subaru

When shopping for a car, many people focus on dependability. Vehicles that need fewer repairs and run consistently with regular maintenance remain highly valued among buyers, and reliable vehicles are less likely to unexpectedly stall or fail to start.

Both Toyota and Subaru have a reputation for being highly dependable and making products that require minimal repairs. Several Toyota vehicle models have an excellent resale value, too. It might be surprising, then, that the JD Power 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) didn't include Toyota or Subaru at the top of its rankings. Instead, Lexus ranked as the premium vehicle brand with the highest overall dependability score, while Buick topped the list in the mass market segment.

In developing its scores and rankings for the 2026 VDS, JD Power counted the number of problems after three years reported by owners who bought new vehicles from the 2023 model year. More than 33,200 owners participated in the survey, and the results suggest that the industry averaged 204 problems per 100 vehicles in 2026. Lexus was given a score of 151 problems per 100 vehicles — the lowest of the 29 brands included in the VDS — while Buick ranked second with 160 problems per 100 vehicles. Since Lexus is a division of Toyota Motor Sales, these scores do suggest that Toyota technically does have some presence atop the 2026 list. However, Lexus products only made up a small portion of Toyota's 2023 sales, and JD Power ranked conventional Toyota models eighth in its 2026 study.

Lexus has now held the top overall spot in the JD Power dependability survey for four straight years. Additionally, the Lexus IS had the highest individual model score in the survey. In reviewing the 2023 Lexus IS 350, CARFAX said the vehicle's likelihood of needing repairs in the next 12 months is only 4%, which is well below the 9% average for a 2023 luxury compact car. To further highlight its dependability, the 2023 Lexus IS 350 has no safety recalls. JD Power also named Lexus the leading premium brand in SUV customer loyalty in its 2025 U.S. Automotive Brand Loyalty Study. Meanwhile, CarEdge predicts maintenance expenses will run Lexus owners almost $4,900 less than much of the brand's competition.

Buick ranked just behind Lexus in JD Power's 2025 VDS as well, so the most recent study further cements it as one of America's most reliable car brands. The 2023 Buick Enclave received an individual model award in the 2026 VDS, and it has no reported safety recalls. CARFAX says the likelihood of the 2023 Enclave needing repairs in the next 12-month period is 6%, which is in line with the average projections for a 2023 full-size SUV. As of February 2026, Buicks sell for an average of $37,369, per Cox Automotive and Kelley Blue Book. This further underscores the brand's value, as that's considerably less than the $49,275 average transaction price Kelley Blue Book reported for all new cars in March 2026.