Vehicle Reliability Hits 15-Year Low: J.D. Power 2025 Study Reveals Record-High Problems Per Vehicle, Software Failures to Blame

Published on August 13, 2025 | Michael Kalamitsiotis

In early 2025, the highly respected J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) reported an industry-wide average of 202 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), the worst performance since 2009, and a sharp 6% increase (12 PP100) over the prior year (jdpower.com). This decline underscores growing concerns that software and infotainment issues are now seriously undermining reliability, once the domain of mechanical defects.

The PP100 Metric: What It Means and Why It Matters

PP100 (Problems Per 100 Vehicles) is the benchmark metric in the J.D. Power VDS, quantifying the number of issues reported by owners of three-year-old vehicles over the prior 12 months. A higher PP100 indicates more frequent problems, and in 2025, that number hit a 15-year high of 202 PP100 (jdpower.com, techstory.in).

Why Reliability Is Falling: Tech over Mechanics

Unlike mechanical wear or hardware failure, the primary driver of this spike is software-related defects, such as infotainment glitches, smartphone connectivity, and advanced driver-assistance (ADAS) systems. Mass-market brands saw a 16 PP100 rise, largely tied to software defects, according to J.D. Power (jdpower.com).

Infotainment issues alone accounted for around 42.6 PP100, despite slight improvements in touchscreen design (motorillustrated.com). Connectivity features such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay surged to 8.4 PP100, up from 6.3 in 2024. Bluetooth (4.6 PP100) and built-in Wi-Fi (2.4 PP100) also contributed to heightened dissatisfaction (autobodynews.com).

Brand Highlights: Winners and Losers

Lexus topped the rankings with 140 PP100, retaining its spot as the most reliable brand for the third consecutive year (lexusenthusiast.com).
Best mass-market brand: Buick (143 PP100), followed by Mazda (161 PP100) and Toyota (162 PP100) (gearjunkie.com).
At the bottom: Volkswagen with 285 PP100, and Audi (273 PP100) and Land Rover (270 PP100) among premium brands fared worst (gearjunkie.com).

Digging Deeper: What Systems Are Causing the Issues

Infotainment & Touchscreens

Touchscreens remain the biggest driver of frustration: essential functions like climate control, seat heaters, gear selection, and even glovebox access have been moved to digital menus, resulting in driver complaints over distraction and usability (motorillustrated.com).

Connectivity Failures

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay continue to be front-of-mind complaints for consumers, making these issues recurrent in dependability surveys (autobodynews.com).

ADAS & Integration Bugs

Problems tied to software glitches in advanced driver-assist systems and sensor calibration are increasingly reported in newer models, particularly as OEMs roll out OTA updates and more interconnected features (thedrive.com).

Additional Challenges: Pandemic Aftershocks and Supply Disruptions

The 2025 VDS reflects long-term fallout from the pandemic era. According to J.D. Power, vehicles built during major supply chain disruptions and labor shortages (2020–2022) showed persistent faults even three years later. The 2022 Initial Quality Study had already flagged declines in early ownership quality, which today still contribute to high PP100 across brands (jdpower.com).

Impact for Car Owners & the Industry

Owner frustrations with tech-centric flaws are replacing traditional reliability concerns like engine or transmission failures.
Resale values are increasingly tied to reliability scores—vehicles with software-related glitch histories depreciate faster.
Regulatory and repair dynamics are shifting: while over-the-air (OTA) updates speed up fixes, they also raise concerns about validation standards and software testing protocols.

Why This Study Matters to Consumers (and Industry Observers)

Reliability used to hinge on mechanical design—engine, transmission, chassis. Today, it’s driven by lines of code. As vehicles become software-defined, even minor digital issues can be counted as reliability failures, shaping customer satisfaction and brand reputations. Analysts warn that OEMs still lack consistent validation protocols for software patches impacting critical systems (thedrive.com, techstory.in, gearjunkie.com).

Expert Recommendations: What Drivers and Fleet Managers Should Do

Regular software checks: Follow OEM prompts for updates.
Physical control awareness: Know how to reset infotainment or revert to physical controls if touchscreen fails.
Report persistent glitches: Submit feedback via manufacturer channels and regulators if issues persist.
Choose lower-tech models when reliability matters: Brands like Lexus, Buick, Mazda, and Toyota continue to rank higher and generally use simpler electronics.

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