Commercials full of fun vacations, sunshine and road trips can make owning a car look pretty magical. Car ownership isn’t always that fun, though.
The average car owner will spend $1,452 in a 15,000-mile year on vehicle repairs and maintenance. That’s just the average; certain cars can cost their owners even more.
J.D. Power’s latest annual U.S. Initial Quality Study can help vehicle shoppers narrow down which brands could be more harmful for their wallet down the road, not just at the dealership.
The group surveyed more than 92,000 people who purchased or leased a new 2025 model-year vehicle at least 90 days prior. J.D. Power then ranked car brands based on problems per 100 vehicles.
Respondents answered nearly 230 questions in the following categories:
- Infotainment
- Features, controls and displays
- Exterior
- Driving assistance
- Interior
- Powertrain
- Seats
- Driving experience
- Climate
- Unspecified (unique to repair)
Who’s Got the Cheapest Car Insurance in 2025?
If it’s not your company, you could be leaving $600+ on the table every year. The problem? Most drivers never check, assuming switching is complicated or time-consuming.
This new insurance shopping tool makes comparing rates simple—just a few clicks shows you real quotes from multiple carriers for your exact coverage. No guesswork, just instant clarity on whether you’re overpaying.
The average driver who finds savings through this tool cuts their premium by $600 annually for identical coverage. Even if you’re already getting a competitive rate, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes from knowing you checked.
The average score across brands was 192 problems per 100 vehicles. These brands had more problems than average:
- Ford: 193 problems per 100 vehicles
- BMW: 196
- Acura: 198
- GMC: 199
- Cadillac: 200
- Toyota: 200
- Tesla: 200
- Lincoln: 206
- Land Rover: 208
- Mercedes-Benz: 210
- Chrysler: 213
- MINI: 218
- Ram: 218
- Mitsubishi: 222
- Mazda: 225
- Volkswagen: 225
- Infiniti: 242
- Volvo: 258
- Audi: 269
- Rivian: 274
Here are the best car brands for quality, according to surveyed consumers:
- Lexus: 166 problems per 100 vehicles
- Nissan: 169
- Hyundai: 173
- Jaguar: 175
- Chevrolet: 178
- Honda: 179
- Dodge: 180
- Kia: 181
- Buick: 183
- Genesis: 183
- Jeep: 186
- Subaru: 187
- Porsche: 188
Want to learn more about which vehicles drivers say are the most reliable? Check out “The 16 Most Dependable Cars in 2025, According to Their Owners.”
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