J.D. Energy Releases 2025 Dependability Examine Exhibiting Pandemic-Period Autos Nonetheless Stricken by Points : Automotive Addicts

The lengthy shadow of the pandemic continues to loom over the automotive business, as car dependability has slipped to its worst degree in over a decade, in keeping with the just lately launched 2025 J.D. Energy U.S. Automobile Dependability Examine (VDS). Homeowners of three-year-old autos—fashions constructed within the thick of COVID-19’s provide chain disruptions—are going through extra issues than at any time since 2009. With an business common of 202 issues per 100 autos (PP100), the findings spotlight a lingering wrestle for automakers, particularly as autos develop into more and more tech-heavy.

Software program Glitches Take Middle Stage

Maybe unsurprisingly, software-related points have develop into the Achilles’ heel of contemporary autos. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity took the highest spot for complaints for the second yr operating, with issues rising from 6.3 PP100 in 2024 to eight.4 PP100 this yr. Bluetooth pairing troubles and in-vehicle Wi-Fi connectivity points adopted carefully behind, revealing that as automakers push for extra connectivity, the rising reliance on tech is proving to be a double-edged sword.

This wave of tech frustration is exacerbated by the sluggish adoption of efficient over-the-air (OTA) updates. Whereas 36% of respondents mentioned their car acquired an OTA replace throughout the first three years of possession, solely 30% observed an enchancment, whereas 56% reported no noticeable change. Automakers could also be embracing digital fixes, however the person expertise nonetheless leaves a lot to be desired.

Pandemic Disruptions Nonetheless Echoing

Jason Norton, director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Energy, contextualized the outcomes by pointing to the distinctive manufacturing challenges that plagued the 2022 mannequin yr. Provide chain bottlenecks, workforce shortages, and skyrocketing car costs all performed a job within the last product high quality. These “pandemic vehicles,” as some have dubbed them, have been all the time anticipated to wrestle in long-term dependability research—and three years later, the cracks are displaying.

Hybrid Autos Shine, PHEVs Wrestle

Whereas battery electrical autos (BEVs) made notable strides in reliability—bettering by 33 PP100 in comparison with final yr—plug-in hybrid electrical autos (PHEVs) moved in the wrong way, seeing a worrying 26 PP100 decline. PHEVs at the moment are essentially the most problematic powertrain sort, averaging 242 PP100, whereas conventional hybrids emerged because the least problematic at 199 PP100, carefully adopted by gas-powered autos at 200 PP100. Diesel autos additionally struggled, averaging 233 PP100.

The narrowing hole between electrical and gas-powered autos is a promising signal for EV adoption, however PHEVs might have extra consideration from automakers because the market shifts towards electrification.

New Fashions vs. Carryover Fashions

Automakers have lengthy struggled with launching all-new fashions, and the 2025 examine reinforces that sample. Of the 27 new fashions launched for the 2022 mannequin yr, solely 4 carried out higher than their phase common. Recent designs and first-generation platforms usually include teething points, as evidenced by new fashions averaging 241 PP100, in comparison with the extra secure 196 PP100 for carryover fashions.

Lexus and Buick Lead the Pack

On the subject of model efficiency, Lexus secured its place as essentially the most reliable model general for the third consecutive yr, with a stellar 140 PP100. Within the premium phase, Cadillac (169 PP100) and Porsche (186 PP100) adopted.

On the mass-market aspect, Buick topped the charts with 143 PP100, edging out Mazda (161 PP100) and Toyota (162 PP100). Toyota’s fame for reliability was additional bolstered, with the Toyota Avalon topped essentially the most reliable car general.

Standout Mannequin-Degree Winners

Toyota and Basic Motors led the best way with six model-level awards every:

Toyota Motor Company Fashions:

Lexus GX
Toyota Camry
Toyota Corolla
Toyota RAV4
Toyota Sienna
Toyota Tacoma

Basic Motors Firm Fashions:

Cadillac XT6
Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet Silverado
Chevrolet Silverado HD
Chevrolet Tahoe
GMC Acadia

Nissan additionally carried out effectively, incomes two awards for the Nissan Kicks and Nissan Murano.

What This Means for Customers

For patrons within the used automobile market, particularly these eyeing 2022 model-year autos, the examine serves as a cautionary story. Autos constructed in the course of the peak of pandemic-induced turmoil include the next threat of tech points and different high quality hiccups. Buyers could wish to prioritize carryover fashions or persist with manufacturers like Lexus, Toyota, and Buick, which proceed to reveal consistency in long-term high quality.

As automakers navigate the digital transformation of autos, dependability could more and more hinge on software program robustness slightly than simply mechanical reliability. Whereas OTA updates supply hope for simpler fixes, the business clearly has work to do in making certain these updates translate into real-world enhancements.

Three years post-pandemic, the ripple results are nonetheless shaping car dependability. As tech continues to combine deeper into our driving expertise, the problem for automakers isn’t just constructing a dependable car but in addition making certain that the software program operating it’s simply as reliable.