The J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) reports vehicle issues at their highest level since 2009, with a 6% rise to 202 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). Mass market brands contributed to this increase with a 16 PP100 spike, largely due to software issues.

Truck Trends and Insights

• Infotainment and Connectivity Issues: Problems with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay increased to 8.4 PP100 from 6.3 PP100. Built-in Bluetooth (4.6 PP100) and Wi-Fi (2.4 PP100) also caused trouble. Despite over-the-air (OTA) updates, only 30% of truck owners reported improvements.

• Dependability by Fuel Type: Diesel trucks (233 PP100) experienced more issues than gas-powered (200 PP100) and hybrid trucks (199 PP100). BEVs improved their reliability by 33 PP100, closing the gap with gas models, while PHEVs worsened, hitting 242 PP100.

• New Model Concerns: Only four of 27 new truck models from 2022 outperformed their segment averages, with new models averaging 241 PP100 compared to 196 PP100 for carryover models.

Ford and Industry Highlights

• Ford’s Progress:Ford climbed 10 spots to 13th place, and Lincoln rose six spots to 19th. Josh Halliburton, Ford's executive director of quality, attributed this improvement to tougher testing and better vehicle monitoring. Additionally, the Bronco Sport earned top honors for initial quality among small SUVs in J.D. Power’s 2024 Initial Quality Study.

• Top Truck Models:Toyota’s Tacoma earned a model-level award, while General Motors models, including the Chevrolet Silverado and Silverado HD, were recognized for segment-leading dependability.

Fleet Takeaways

J.D. Power links the rise in issues to pandemic-era disruptions, including supply chain challenges. Fleet managers should prioritize proven models and maintain software updates to address recurring tech issues. Despite new model struggles, established trucks continue to deliver more consistent dependability.

The 2025 VDS collected responses from 34,175 owners of 2022 model-year vehicles between August and November 2024.

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