J.D. Power Unveils 2010 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study Results

Twenty-five of 36 vehicle brands improved their long‑term dependability in 2010 compared with 2009, confirming a steady industry‑wide trend. Yet, for some brands, consumer perceptions lag behind actual performance, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) released on March 18.

The study evaluates problems reported by original owners of three‑year‑old (2007 model‑year) vehicles. It covers 198 distinct problem symptoms across all vehicle systems. Overall dependability is expressed as problems per 100 vehicles (PP100); a lower PP100 indicates higher quality.

Automakers worldwide use the VDS to refine vehicle design and construction—often resulting in higher resale values. Consumers rely on the study to make informed decisions when buying new or used cars. According to J.D. Power, for new‑vehicle shoppers, perceived quality and dependability are the most influential purchase factors.

Despite strong long‑term dependability, several brands still face high avoidance rates driven by lingering consumer concerns. Among the VDS participants, Cadillac, Ford, Hyundai, Lincoln, and Mercury show the widest gaps between performance and perception.

“Producing world‑class quality is only part of the battle; convincing consumers of that quality is equally crucial,” said David Sargent, vice‑president of global vehicle research at J.D. Power. “It can take a decade or more to shift consumer perception, so automakers must consistently improve quality and actively communicate those gains.”

Approaches that reinforce high‑quality perceptions include offering extended warranties to signal confidence, incorporating premium materials and finishes, and launching new models with better quality than their predecessors. Automakers should also amplify messaging through social media—blogs, Facebook, Twitter—as well as traditional channels.

Toyota remains a benchmark for long‑term dependability, earning four segment awards in 2010—for the Highlander, Prius, Sequoia, and Tundra. Honda received three awards (CR‑V, Fit, Ridgeline). Lincoln captured two awards (Mark LT, MKZ). Other award‑winning brands include Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes‑Benz, and Mercury.

Porsche topped the overall nameplate rankings in 2010, consistent with its 2007 Initial Quality Study performance. Lincoln moved up six places from 2009 to follow Porsche. The top five nameplates are now Buick, Lexus, and Mercury, in addition to Porsche. Seven of the ten models with the lowest PP100 are from Ford and GM—most notably the 2007 Buick Lacrosse, Buick Lucerne, Cadillac DTS, Ford Five Hundred, Lincoln MKZ, Mercury Milan, and Mercury Montego. The Cadillac DTS achieved the industry’s lowest PP100 at 76, marking the first domestic model to claim the top spot in more than a decade.

Overall vehicle dependability improved 7 % in 2010, averaging 155 PP100 versus 167 PP100 in 2009—a trend that aligns with historical gains. Component‑replacement rates also fell, with 65 % of owners reporting a replacement in 2010 compared to 68 % in 2009.

“The reductions in long‑term dependability and component replacement benefit both consumers and manufacturers,” said Sargent. “Lower warranty costs and reduced maintenance expenses translate to less inconvenience for owners.”

The study confirms that long‑term dependability positively influences repurchase intent. Owners who report no problems are 43 % more likely to “definitely” repurchase their brand, versus 28 % among those who experienced at least one issue.

The 2010 VDS draws on responses from over 52,000 original owners of 2007 model‑year vehicles, surveyed between October and December 2009.

Explore detailed findings, model photos, and specifications on JDPower.com.

(1) Source: J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Avoider Study
(2) PP100 scores for 2009 were adjusted to align with 2010 metrics due to a problem‑battery change in 2010.

2010 Nameplate Ranking
  Problems per 100 Vehicles


  Porsche                                  110
  Lincoln                                  114
  Buick                                    115
  Lexus                                    115
  Mercury                                  121
  Toyota                                   128
  Honda                                    132
  Ford                                     141
  Mercedes-Benz                            142
  Acura                                    143
  Hyundai                                  148
  Cadillac                                 150
  Infiniti                                 150
  Subaru                                   155
  Industry Average                         155
  SAAB                                     158
  Saturn                                   164
  BMW                                      165
  GMC                                      165
  Chrysler                                 166
  Kia                                      167
  Volvo                                    167
  HUMMER                                   169
  Jaguar                                   175
  Chevrolet                                176
  Nissan                                   180
  Audi                                     182
  Dodge                                    190
  Pontiac                                  192
  Mazda                                    195
  Scion                                    201
  Mitsubishi                               202
  MINI                                     203
  Jeep                                     222
  Volkswagen                               225
  Suzuki                                   253
  Land Rover                               255

NOTE: Isuzu is included in the study but not ranked due to small sample size.

Top Three Models per Segment
  Car Segments


  Sub‑Compact Car *
  -----------------
  Highest Ranked: Honda Fit
  Toyota Yaris

  Compact Car
  ----------- 
  Highest Ranked: Toyota Prius
  Toyota Corolla
  Pontiac Vibe

  Compact Sporty Car
  ------------------
  Highest Ranked: Mazda MX‑5 Miata
  Saturn SKY
  Pontiac Solstice Convertible

  Midsize Sporty Car
  ------------------
  Highest Ranked: Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  Toyota Solara
  Ford Mustang

  Midsize Car
  ----------- 
  Highest Ranked: Buick LaCrosse
  Mercury Milan
  Honda Accord

  Large Car
  --------- 
  Highest Ranked: Mercury Montego
  Buick Lucerne (tie)
  Ford Five Hundred (tie)

  Compact Premium Sporty Car*
  ---------------------------
  Highest Ranked: BMW Z4

  Entry Premium Vehicle
  ---------------------
  Highest Ranked: Lincoln MKZ
  Acura TSX
  Cadillac CTS

  Midsize Premium Car
  ------------------- 
  Highest Ranked: Audi A6
  Lexus ES 350
  Cadillac STS (tie)
  Infiniti M‑Series (tie)

  Large Premium Car*
  ------------------ 
  Highest Ranked: Cadillac DTS
  Lexus LS 460

  Premium Sporty Car*
  ------------------- 
  Highest Ranked: Mercedes‑Benz SL‑Class
  Porsche 911

  *No other model in this segment performs above the segment average.


  Top Three Models per Segment
  Truck Multi‑Activity Vehicle (MAV) Segments


  Compact MAV
  ----------- 
  Highest Ranked: Honda CR‑V
  Subaru Forester
  Hyundai Tucson

  Midsize MAV
  ----------- 
  Highest Ranked: Toyota Highlander
  Toyota 4Runner
  Ford Freestyle

  Large MAV
  --------- 
  Highest Ranked: Toyota Sequoia
  GMC Yukon
  Ford Expedition

  Large Pickup
  ------------ 
  Highest Ranked: Toyota Tundra
  Ford F‑150 LD
  Chevrolet Silverado Classic HD

  Midsize Pickup
  -------------- 
  Highest Ranked: Honda Ridgeline
  Dodge Dakota
  Ford Ranger

  Midsize Van
  ----------- 
  Highest Ranked: Ford Freestar
  Toyota Sienna
  Buick Terraza (tie)
  Chrysler Town & Country (tie)

  Midsize Premium MAV
  ------------------- 
  Highest Ranked: Lexus GX 470
  Lexus RX
  Infiniti FX‑Series

  Large Premium MAV
  -----------------
  Highest Ranked: Lincoln Mark LT
  Lincoln Navigator
  Cadillac Escalade EXT

NOTE: For a segment award to be issued, there must be at least three models with sufficient sample that comprise 80 percent of market sales within an award segment. There is only one large van model with sufficient sample size, thus no large van awards have been presented.