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.
J.D. Power released its Vehicle Dependability Study for 2025, which ranks manufacturers based on the number of problems their cars may have per 100 vehicles. The national average is 202 issues per 100 vehicles.
Check out these brands to see which vehicles might be a smart money move 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.
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10. Kia
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Kia rounds out the top ten this year, with 196 problems per 100 vehicles.
Popular models include the compact Forte and the Sedona minivan.
9. MINI
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MINI, according to the J.D. Power survey, had 190 issues per 100 vehicles.
The MINI segment is known for its compact design and unique features compared to more traditional cars and SUVs.
8. BMW
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BMW came in eighth place with 189 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.
7. Porsche
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Porsche came in at number seven with 186 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.
6. GMC
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GMC joins the top ten list this year with 181 issues per vehicle, according to the J.D. Power survey.
GMC got a boost from its Acadia mioel, which won the highest-ranked upper midsize SUV.
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5. Cadillac
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Also sharing that number five spot by coming in at 169 issues per 100 vehicles is Cadillac.
Cadillac joins the top ten list this year in large part to the XT6, which is the most dependable upper midsize premium SUV.
5. Chevrolet (Tie)
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The number five spot is a tie, with Chevrolet and Cadillac sharing the spot. According to J.D. Power, the Chevy brand had 169 issues per 100 vehicles.
Chevrolet's spot was likely boosted by its well-performing models, including the Corvette, which was the highest rank premium sporty car and the Tahoe, the highest ranked large SUV.
4. Toyota
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According to J.D. Power, Toyota earned a score of 162 issues per 100 vehicles.
One reason for its spot was the Toyota Avalon, which earned the top spot for the most dependable model. It also took the top spot for four other categories, specifically the most dependable compact car for the Toyota Corolla, midsize car for the Toyota Camry, compact SUV for the Toyota RAV4, and midsize pickup for the Toyota Tacoma.
3. Mazda
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Jumping four spots from last year, Mazda's dependability came in at 161 issues per 100 vehicles on J.D. Power. The company's offerings include the popular CX-5 and Mazda6.
2. Buick
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Moving up a spot from last year to #2 is Buick. J.D. Power found that Buick had 143 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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1. Lexus
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Topping the list is Lexus with only 140 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 GX won the highest-ranked midsize premium SUV.
Bottom line
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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, and other factors.
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