Top 10 Least Dependable Automakers: 2018 J.D. Power

Jason Siu
by Jason Siu

Overall vehicle dependability improved this year, the first time since 2013.

The J.D. Power 2018 Vehicle Dependability Study has been released, with overall vehicle dependability improving 9 percent from last year. The study is now in its 29th year, measuring the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100) during the past 12 months by original owners of 2015 model year vehicles. A lower score reflects higher quality since that means there were fewer problems experienced per 100 vehicles.

The overall industry average went from 142 PP100 to 156 PP100 this year, an increase of 14 points.

SEE ALSO: Top 10 Least Dependable Automakers: 2017

Continuing to be problematic for owners is in-vehicle technology, including audio, communications, entertainment, and navigation. The category received the highest frequency of complaints, with the two most common problems related to built-in voice recognition and built-in Bluetooth connectivity.

Here are the top 10 least dependable automakers of 2018, based on the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study.

10. Volvo

In last year’s study, Volvo performed slightly above industry average (156 PP100) with a score of 154 PP100. This year, however, the Swedish automaker struggled with a score of 162 PP100, quite a bit worse than the industry average of 142.


9. Dodge

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) brands traditionally struggle on the annual study, and this year is no different. Dodge, however, does improve compared to last year, where it was the fourth least dependable automaker on the list with a score of 187 PP100. This year, the brand improves to 166 PP100 but is still in the bottom 10.


8. Ram

Ram also improved this year with a score of 167 PP100, compared to last year’s 183 PP100. The American automaker is slowly rising up the ranks, after finishing just ahead of Dodge last year as the fifth least dependable automaker.


7. Subaru

Subaru’s score takes a slight dip in this year’s study, with owners reporting 167 PP100 compared to last year’s 164 PP100. But last year, Subaru wasn’t too far off the industry average and wasn’t in the bottom 10. This year the story is different, as the Japanese automaker is one of the least dependable automakers according to J.D. Power.


6. Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi continues to struggle on J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study and actually drops a spot compared to last year when it was the seventh least dependable automaker. In 2017, the brand scored 182 PP100, so it at least did improve by scoring 173 PP100 in this year’s study.


5. Cadillac

Cadillac‘s tumble on the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study comes as a bit of a surprise, considering it performed better than the industry average last year with 152 PP100. This year, however, it’s the fifth least dependable automaker after earning a score of 186 PP100.


4. Jeep

Another FCA brand on the list, Jeep did improve from last year’s finish, when it was the second least dependable automaker on the list. This year, it scored 188 PP100, a difference of 21 PP100 compared to 2017.


3. Fiat

Last year, Fiat was the least dependable automaker on the list, so at least the Italian automaker has improved. In fact, last year Fiat scored 298 PP100, which was significantly more than Jeep’s second-place finish with 209 PP100. The brand noticeably improved this year with a score of 192 PP100, but it still has quite a bit of work to do.


2. Land Rover

Land Rover was in the bottom 10 last year as well, but it was the eighth least dependable automaker with a score of 178 PP100. Things are quite different this year, with the British automaker getting dangerously close to being the least dependable automaker. Land Rover scored 204 PP100 in the 2018 study.

ALSO SEE: Top 10 Most Dependable Automakers: 2018 J.D. Power


1. Chrysler

Once again, an FCA brand is the least dependable automaker and this year it’s Chrysler‘s turn. Although the brand doesn’t even have very many offerings now, it scored 211 PP100 compared to last year, when it finished just below the industry average with a score of 159 PP100.

Jason Siu
Jason Siu

Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.

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  • Prez Prez on Feb 14, 2018

    Well all I have to say about this is bullshit. JD Power is irrelevant, ask around how many people actually read these lists.

    • See 4 previous
    • Prez Prez on Feb 15, 2018

      To each its own. For the 25 years I've been driving not once have I used JD Power to drive my decision making. I know exactly what is measured, because I work for an automotive company and we see the list of issues every time this list comes out. These have to be taken with a grain of salt because if you saw exactly what people are complaining about you'd laugh. Anyways...enjoy Pura Vida you lucky bastard ;)

  • Right of right Right of right on Feb 19, 2018

    Why I drive a Lexus 570 LX

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