Every year, J.D. Power, a US-based agency, releases its dependability study of the mos reliable car brands, and in 2025, there were some significant movements.
As always, cars are ranked based on problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) over a three-year period of owning the car. The lower the number, the better.
Here are some key takeaways:
Lexus Remains Number 1
At 140 problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus retains its crown from 2024, albeit with 5 more recorded problems compared to 2024.
Buick and Mazda take Number 2 and 3 Respectively
Buick moved up one spot to second place in 2025, and together with Mazda, the brands kicked Toyota out of second place in 2024 to fourth place in 2025.
In Malaysia, Mazda isn’t seen as the most reliable car brand (judging by its resale value and popularity), but if we had our own J.D. Power study we might just definitely know if they’re actually dependable.
The move was especially big for Mazda, as in 2024, they recorded 185 PP100, compared to only 161 PP100 in 2025.
Software Issues have emerged as the leading reliability issue
Ironically, as the machines improve, the software that seem like the most futuristic features of a car is causing more problems year-on-year.
According to J.D. Power’s study, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity was the most common problem for a second consecutive year (8.4 PP100). Half of the top 10 industry-wide problems were related to smartphone integration, usage, or connectivity.
Volkswagen hits a new low
The German automaker cannot catch a break as the company seems to be imploding from the inside. Its cars were the worst-rated in 2025 falling 3 spots from its ranking in 2024.
Read the full study here and enjoy this infographic done by the Visual Capitalist for an overview of the movements in the study from 2024 to 2025.
Did you favourite car make the list of most reliable car brand?
