J.D. Power Says These Are the Most Dependable Cars You Can Buy In 2024

It’s important to consider not just the cost of buying a car but also how much it costs to maintain it or any repairs that you might encounter during its ownership. That’s why a dependable car can help you lower your financial stress .

J.D. Power released its Vehicle Dependability Study for 2024, which ranks manufacturers based on the number of problems their cars may have per 100 vehicles. The national average is 190 issues per 100 vehicles.

Check out these brands (with number one being the most dependable) to see which vehicles might be better to add to your list if you’re concerned about reliability — and the costs you may incur if you own a less-than-dependable vehicle.

9. Jeep (Tie)

Rounding out the top 10 was actually a three-way tie for ninth between BMW, Dodge, and Jeep. Each came in with 190 issues per vehicle, according to the J.D. Power survey.

One model that stood out among the rest was the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which was one of the top three dependable midsize SUVs.

9. Dodge (Tie)

Another brand, with 190 problems per 100 vehicles, Dodge, sits at the study's average.

Popular models include the Challenger, Caravan, and Charger.

9. BMW (Tie)

BMW came in with 190 issues per vehicle, according to the J.D. Power survey.

The brand actually had a few high-ranking models, though. For instance, its 3 Series and 4 Series each earned a spot within the top three most dependable compact premium cars.

8. Kia

Kia dropped from third place to eighth this year, with 187 problems per 100 vehicles.

One model that did prove to be dependable, though, was the Sedona, which earned the top spot as the most dependable minivan.

7. Mazda

J.D. Power found that Mazda’s dependability came in at 185 issues per 100 vehicles. The company’s offerings include the popular CX-5 and Mazda6.

6. Porsche

Missing the top 10 entirely last year, Porsche came in at number six with 175 problems per 100 vehicles.

The manufacturer nabbed the most dependable vehicle model entirely with its Porsche 718. It also took the top spot for premium sporty cars.

4. MINI (Tie)

The fourth spot was a tie between MINI and Chevrolet, both having 174 issues per 100 vehicles.

The MINI segment is known for its compact design and unique features compared to more traditional cars and SUVs.

4. Chevrolet (Tie)

According to J.D. Power, the Chevy brand had 174 issues per 100 vehicles, which is a few more than it had the previous year.

Still, Chevrolet’s spot was higher than it was last year and was likely boosted by its well-performing models, such as the Equinox, Tahoe, and Traverse.

3. Buick

J.D. Power found that Buick had 149 problems per 100 vehicles, helping the brand jump a spot compared to last year.

Buick’s lineup includes vehicles like the Enclave and Encore SUVs. Like Chevrolet, which also made the list, Buick is owned by General Motors.

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2. Toyota

Jumping five spots from last year, Toyota earned a score of 147 issues per 100 vehicles, according to J.D. Power.

One reason for its spot was the Toyota Corolla, which earned the top spot for the most dependable compact car. It also took the top spot for two other categories, specifically the most dependable midsize car for the Toyota Camry and midsize SUV for the Toyota 4Runner.

1. Lexus

Topping the list is Lexus with only 135 issues per 100 vehicles, according to J.D. Power.

Lexus got a boost from its models, such as the Lexus ES and the Lexus RX. In fact, the Lexus NX won the highest-ranked compact premium SUV.

Bottom line

Before you save up for a car , it's a good idea to create a budget and factor in not only the cost but also issues like dependability, maintenance, insurance, and other factors.

You’ll also want to keep an emergency fund set aside to cover unexpected costs such as repairs or accidents if you do need to fix your car.

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