2026 JD Power Survey Ranks Volkswagen As The Least Reliable Brand

According to the latest research report conducted by JD Power in the USA, Volkswagen has found itself at the very top of the unpopular list of the least reliable car brands for 2026.

JD Power conducted a 2026 US Vehicle Reliability Study to determine which car brands had the most problems per 100 vehicles. “As owners keep their vehicles longer now, the long-term ownership experience is more important than ever,” said Jason Norton, director of automotive benchmarking at JD Power.

The Vehicle Reliability Study is designed to provide automakers and suppliers with “an understanding of the specific factors that affect owner satisfaction with long-term vehicle quality by identifying problems experienced by original owners of 3-year-old vehicles.”

The study showed that Volkswagen records the most problems per 100 vehicles. This brand has been more problematic for owners than several other car brands, including Volvo, Land Rover, Jeep, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and others. Lexus, Buick, and Mini had the fewest problems per 100 vehicles based on the study’s results.

Despite its long tradition and status as the “people’s car,” the German car giant has seen a significant drop in quality ratings. Owners of newer models are reporting more and more frustrating problems, with the biggest number of complaints related to software bugs, complicated electronics, and problems with the integration of smart technologies in vehicles.

On the other hand, these results and the fact that they are based mostly on software issues do not mean that Volkswagen has lost its overall quality. Thus, in the USA, Consumer Reports ranks Volkswagen 16th out of 26 car manufacturers in terms of reliability of new cars.

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