U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS)
The Benchmark for Long-Term Vehicle Dependability
The U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) measures the problems experienced by original owners of 3-year-old vehicles. As one of the most trusted indicators of long-term quality, VDS helps manufacturers design more durable products that retain value and strengthen brand loyalty.
What the Study Measures
A Complete View of Long-Term Dependability
Evaluates owner-reported problems across nine vehicle systems:
• Problem symptoms and frequency (PP100)
• Component failures and replacements
Includes:
• Diagnostics by make and model
• Industry and segment benchmarking
How It Works
How the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) Works
• Surveys original owners of 3-year-old vehicles
• Captures problem frequency, component failures, and long-term satisfaction
• Complements IQS by showing how early-life quality evolves over time
• Feeds Component Dependability Reports.
Core Strengths
Stronger Reliability, Higher Confidence
• Pinpoints chronic issues that emerge during warranty years
• Identifies components that most impact satisfaction and resale value
• Provides trusted rankings used by consumers and media
• Supports supplier quality improvement and component redesign
• Creates annual rankings and awards-licensing opportunities for top-performing brands
Business Impact
Improve Durability, Protect Resale Value
• Leads to more reliable products with fewer long-term failures
• Strengthens brand perception for dependability
• Drives higher residual values and customer retention
• Improves supplier accountability and component performance
Key Dates
2026
Fielding: December 2024 – November 2025
Publish: February 10, 2026
Press Release: February 12, 2026
2027
Fielding: December 2025 – November 2026
Annual Publish: February 9, 2027
Additional Publishes: April 2026, July – December 2026
Press Release: February 11, 2027
Press Release & Award Information
JD Power issues a national press release highlighting key findings and top-to-bottom rankings from the study. The brand(s) that rank highest in each award-eligible segment and meet predetermined award criteria will have the opportunity to enter into a licensing agreement through the JD Power Awards Program, which requires subscribing to the study as a prerequisite. Entering into a licensing agreement provides top-ranked brands with the valuable opportunity to market their award-winning performance. As the trusted symbol of excellence, JD Power Awards enhance brand perceptions, drive consumer preference, and differentiate awarded brands in competitive marketplaces.
Profiled Brands
Compact Car
Honda Civic
Hyundai Elantra
Kia Forte
Mazda MAZDA3
MINI Clubman
Nissan LEAF
Nissan Sentra
Subaru Impreza
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Prius
Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Jetta
Compact Premium Car
Alfa Romeo Giulia
Audi A4
Audi A5
BMW 3 Series
BMW 4 Series
Cadillac CT4
Genesis G70
Infiniti Q50
Lexus IS
Lexus RC
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Tesla Model 3^
Volvo S60
Volvo V60
Compact Sporty Car
Mazda MX-5 Miata
MINI Cooper
Subaru BRZ
Subaru WRX
Toyota 86
Premium Sporty Car
Audi TT
BMW Z4
Chevrolet Corvette
Jaguar F-Type
Lexus LC
Porsche 718
Porsche 911
Toyota Supra
Premium Sporty Car
Audi TT
BMW Z4
Chevrolet Corvette
Jaguar F-Type
Lexus LC
Porsche 718
Porsche 911
Toyota Supra
Small Car
Chevrolet Bolt EV
Kia Rio
Mitsubishi Mirage
Nissan Versa
Small Premium Car
Acura Integra
Audi A3
BMW 2 Series
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Midsize Car
Chevrolet Malibu
Honda Accord
Hyundai IONIQ 6
Hyundai Sonata
Kia K5
Nissan Altima
Subaru Legacy
Toyota Camry
Toyota Mirai
Midsize Premium Car
Acura TLX
Cadillac CT5
Kia Stinger
Lexus ES
Volkswagen Arteon
Midsize Sporty Car
Chevrolet Camaro
Dodge Challenger
Ford Mustang
Nissan Z
Upper Midsize Premium Car
Audi A6
Audi A7
Audi e-tron GT
BMW 5 Series
Genesis G80
Jaguar XF
Maserati Ghibli
Mercedes-Benz CLS
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Mercedes-Benz EQE
Porsche Taycan
Tesla Model S^
Volvo S90
Volvo V90
Large Car
Chrysler 300
Dodge Charger
Nissan Maxima
Toyota Crown
Large Premium Car
Audi A8
BMW 7 Series
BMW 8 Series
Genesis G90
Lexus LS
Maserati Quattroporte
Mercedes-Benz EQS
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Porsche Panamera
Compact SUV
Buick Envision
Chevrolet Equinox
Ford Bronco
Ford Escape
Ford Mustang Mach-E
GMC Terrain
Honda CR-V
Hyundai IONIQ 5
Hyundai Nexo
Hyundai Tucson
Jeep Cherokee
Jeep Wrangler
Kia EV6
Kia Sportage
Mazda CX-5
Mazda CX-50
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Mitsubishi Outlander
Nissan Ariya
Nissan Rogue
Subaru Forester
Subaru Solterra
Toyota bZ4X
Toyota RAV4
Volkswagen ID.4
Volkswagen Tiguan
Compact Premium SUV
Acura RDX
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Audi Q4 e-tron
Audi Q5
BMW X3
BMW X4
Cadillac XT4
Genesis GV70
Infiniti QX50
Infiniti QX55
Jaguar F-Pace
Jaguar I-Pace
Land Rover Discovery Sport
Lexus NX
Lexus RZ
Lincoln Corsair
Maserati Grecale
Mercedes-Benz EQB
Mercedes-Benz GLB
Mercedes-Benz GLC
Porsche Macan
Tesla Model Y^
Volvo XC60
Small SUV
Buick Encore GX
Chevrolet Bolt EUV
Chevrolet TrailBlazer
Dodge Hornet
Ford Bronco Sport
Ford EcoSport
Honda HR-V
Hyundai Kona
Hyundai Venue
Jeep Compass
Jeep Renegade
Kia Niro
Kia Seltos
Kia Soul
Mazda CX-30
MINI Countryman
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Nissan Kicks
Subaru Crosstrek
Toyota C-HR
Toyota Corolla Cross
Volkswagen Taos
Small Premium SUV
Alfa Romeo Tonale
Audi Q3
BMW X1
BMW X2
Genesis GV60
Jaguar E-Pace
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
Lexus UX
Mercedes-Benz GLA
Volvo C40
Volvo XC40
Midsize SUV
Chevrolet Blazer
Ford Edge
Honda Passport
Hyundai Santa Fe
Nissan Murano
Subaru Outback
Toyota Venza
Midsize Premium SUV
Buick Enclave
Chevrolet Traverse
Dodge Durango
Ford Explorer
GMC Acadia
Honda Pilot
Hyundai Palisade
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Kia Sorento
Kia Telluride
Mazda CX-9
Nissan Pathfinder
Subaru Ascent
Toyota 4Runner
Toyota Highlander
Volkswagen Atlas
Upper Midsize SUV
Buick Enclave
Chevrolet Traverse
Dodge Durango
Ford Explorer
GMC Acadia
Honda Pilot
Hyundai Palisade
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Kia Sorento
Kia Telluride
Mazda CX-9
Nissan Pathfinder
Subaru Ascent
Toyota 4Runner
Toyota Highlander
Volkswagen Atlas
Upper Midsize Premium SUV
Audi e-tron
Audi Q7
Audi Q8
BMW iX
BMW X5
BMW X6
Cadillac LYRIQ
Cadillac XT6
Genesis GV80
Land Rover Discovery
Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Lincoln Aviator
Maserati Levante
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
Mercedes-Benz GLE
Porsche Cayenne
Rivian R1S^
Tesla Model X^
Volvo XC90
Large SUV
Chevrolet Suburban
Chevrolet Tahoe
Ford Expedition
GMC Yukon
Jeep Wagoneer
Nissan Armada
Toyota Sequoia
Large Premium SUV
BMW X7
Cadillac Escalade
Infiniti QX80
Jeep Grand Wagoneer
Land Rover Range Rover
Lexus LX
Lincoln Navigator
Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
Mercedes-Benz GLS
Minivan
Chrysler Pacifica
Ford Transit Connect
Honda Odyssey
Kia Carnival
Toyota Sienna
Midsize Pickup
Chevrolet Colorado
Ford Maverick
Ford Ranger
GMC Canyon
Honda Ridgeline
Hyundai Santa Cruz
Jeep Gladiator
Nissan Frontier
Rivian R1T^
Tesla Cybertruck^
Toyota Tacoma
Who should use it
Designed for Quality and Value Leaders
• OEM quality and engineering organizations
• Residual value and remarketing analysts
• Marketing teams (awards and messaging)
• Tier 1 suppliers monitoring component performance
PowerSource
Insights Available at a Touch of a Button
Subscribers to this study have full access to benchmark reporting, competitor analysis, and more with PowerSource.
