There are a massive number of considerations when pondering what car, truck, SUV, or minivan to put in your driveway, and if you’ve been hit with a huge repair bill or are broken down on a hard shoulder at 2:00 a.m., you know dependability is among a top aspect to study. Anecdotal evidence of reliability only gets you so far, though. Fortunately, J.D. Power recently released its 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study showing the most reliable automakers.

The 2023 study takes into account reported problems among 2020 model year vehicles from all major domestic and foreign automakers selling cars in the U.S. Automakers, that are ranked by the number of reported “problems” per 100 vehicles, again, those from the 2020 model year. In addition to listing the most dependable automakers based on this information, J.D. Power notes that infotainment systems are the most problematic area among new-car reliability, mainstream brands are still more reliable than luxury, and there were fewer reported problems for 2020 models versus those of 2019.

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10 Nissan

2023 Nissan Frontier
Nissan
Front profile shot of 2023 Nissan Frontier

Among the segments in which it competes, Nissan can be considered a bargain option, often delivering similar refinement, performance, features, and practicality to its rivals while costing a bit less at the dealership. But J.D. Power’s survey shows that doesn’t equate to a loss in dependability.

Nissan ranked 10th out of all automakers with 170 problems reported per 100 vehicles, which is 16 fewer than the industry average. Interestingly, Nissan’s dependability appears to be improving. The automaker ranked below the industry average in J.D. Power’s 2022 and 2021 dependability survey, which took into consideration the brand’s offerings from the 2018 and 2019 model years, respectively. However, Nissan still has some catching up to do to meet the dependability of some of its mainstream, Japanese counterparts.

9 Mini

2023 Mini Countryman silver
Mini 
2023 Mini Countryman front three-quarter view 

Any automaker associated with British Leyland is unlikely to be associated with dependability, but now under the banner of BMW, MINI is showing itself to be a dependable choice for buyers in addition to being the quirky option. Mini ranked ninth in the 2023 dependability survey, tying Nissan with 170 reported problems per 100 vehicles, which puts it ahead of its parent company — BMW had 184 problems per 100 vehicles.

Mini’s stats from 2020 models could signal a positive outlook for its EV offerings. The all-electric Mini Cooper SE made its debut that model year. Those looking to electric in a Mini can opt for the 2023 Cooper SE, which is best suited for in-city jaunts with a max range of 114 miles, or the larger Countryman PHEV.

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8 Hyundai

Silver Color Hyundai IONIQ 5
Hyundai 
Side angle profile of Hyundai IONIQ 5

It wasn’t too long ago that Hyundai was a bargain-basement option among mainstream automakers with all the driving excitement of unsalted bread and ultra-spartan amenities. But how the time's change. The Korean automaker now offers a full lineup of practical, tech-rich, affordable, pleasing-to-drive models for all needs that serve as great daily drivers or family haulers. Hyundai even offers a range of fast-and-fun models through its performance-oriented N division. Better still, Hyundai is among the most dependable automakers according to J.D. Power’s 2023 study.

Hyundai owners reported 170 problems per 100 vehicles, tying the brand with Nissan and Mini. Interestingly, the 2023 survey could be considered a “down” year for the brand as it fell from third best among all automakers in the 2022 survey. This could be attributable to the 2020 model year serving as the debut form the three-row Palisade SUV and subcompact Venue crossover. Still, Hyundai remains one of the most dependable brands out there.

7 Toyota

Toyota Tundra i-Force Max
Toyota
Toyota Tundra i-Force Max looking good in black

In using one word to describe automakers, one could use “safe” for Volvo, “quirky” for Mini, or “extravagant” for Rolls-Royce. And in describing Toyota with a single word, “reliable” is always among the top choices with the brand about as synonymous with reliability as Nature Valley granola bars with creating crumbs.

Toyota owners reported 168 problems per 100 vehicles for 2020 model year offerings, 18 fewer than the industry average. Toyota also shows consistency as the automaker was ranked fifth among all automakers in the 2022 J.D. Power survey. Coupled with Toyota topping the rankings for expected dependability in Consumer Reports’ 2023 report and the brand’s great expected resale values due to their reliability, it’s easy to see why dependability is so intertwined with the Toyota brand.

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6 Mitsubishi

2023 red Mitsubishi Outlander
Mitsubishi
Frint 3/4 view of red Mitsubishi Outlander driving.

Mitsubishi’s sales are hugely overshadowed by many domestic automakers and against its fellow Japanese counterparts, but though the brand might not move as many models, J.D. Power’s study shows they are remaining on the road without too many issues. Mitsubishi owners reported 167 problems per 100 cars in 2020, making the automaker the top-ranked non-luxury Japanese brand for dependability. On another positive note, the 2020 Mitsubishi models were more reliable versus the results of the 2022 survey which accounted for 2019 models.

All Mitsubishi models included in the J.D. Power survey are still offered today, some with minor changes and others, like the Outlander, now fully revamped. The 2023 Mitsubishi lineup includes the Outlander in either ICE or PHEV guises, the compact Eclipse Cross, the smaller Outlander Sport, and the Mirage hatchback and sedan that each starts under $17,300.

5 Chevrolet

White 2023 Chevrolet Traverse
Chevrolet
A front 3/4 action shot of a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse at with a city skyline in the background

Chevrolet is one of the more improved automakers in J.D. Power’s dependability survey. The bowtie brand barely cracked the top 10 for 2022, but now boasts the No. 5 ranking among all automakers for the reliability of its 2020 models. Chevy owners reported 162 problems per 100 vehicles, which is 24 fewer than the industry average and the lowest among all non-luxury U.S. brands.

As Chevy’s reliability score improves, its lineup has continued to become more well-rounded and, in some cases, more exciting. This year will mark the arrival of the all-electric Blazer EV, which will deliver as much as 557 horsepower, while the Colorado midsize truck has been revamped with a more modern interior, updated powertrain options, and new exterior looks. We’ve also seen the debut of the new Corvette Z06 and E-Ray, which have left us lustful.

RELATED: The Most Reliable Domestic Automaker In 2023 According To Consumer Reports

4 Buick

Emperor Blue Enclave profile shot
Drive Time Productions LLC
An Emperor Blue Metallic Enclave Avenir static shot.  

J.D. Power revamped its dependability study beginning last year to include more features and technology now commonplace on models, which dramatically changed expected scores. But no matter the changes to the process of evaluating reliability, a constant that remains in Buick leading the charts for American automakers. Buick ranked fourth overall with 159 problems reported per 100 vehicles, increasing its streak of being the top-ranked U.S. automaker for the past four years (it was beaten out by Chevrolet in 2019).

With just three SUVs now offered, Buick’s lineup looks far different today than in 2020, the model year used for J.D. Power’s latest survey. However, buyers interested in a new Buick should still expect solid reliability with the brand’s consistent spot near the top of the dependability rankings.

3 Kia

Red Color Kia EV6
Kia
Kia EV6 effortlessly navigates on the road

Just like Buick, Kia has been a mainstay near the top of the dependability rankings for the past several years. In fact, Kia was the top-ranked marque overall in the 2022 survey. Though the Korean automaker couldn’t retain its top spot this year, Kia remains the most dependable mainstream brand, according to J.D. Power’s study. Owners reported 152 problems per 100 vehicles, which is 22 percent below the industry average.

In addition to leading the 2023 dependability survey, this year marks a major year for the brand. Kia has introduced its fantastic, performance-oriented EV6 GT, debuted redesigned Sportage and Niro crossovers, and a refreshed Telluride SUV with some model updates to the K5 and Forte sedans. Unfortunately, 2023 also marks the final year for the Stinger Sport sedan.

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2 Genesis

2023 Genesis G80
Genesis
2023 Genesis G80 front-end view

Genesis has set out to shake up the luxury segment by offering models that can rival BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz offerings in performance, luxury features, and refinement while costing significantly less. For 2023, Genesis has continued to bring the fight to the Germans with its lineup of three sedans and two SUVs with internal combustion in addition to the Electrified G80, Electrified GV70, and new GV60 EV crossover. All are notably attractive overall when compared to the German stalwarts of the luxury segment, and according to J.D. Power, they’re likely to be a lot more reliable.

Genesis earned the No. 2 spot in the 2023 dependability survey with 144 reported problems for every 100 models from 2020. To note, Genesis has delivered above-average reliability every year it has been included in the study (2020-current). However, Genesis couldn’t retain its spot as the most dependable luxury automaker, falling just short of, spoiler alert, Lexus.

1 Lexus

According to J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, Lexus is the most reliable brand of all automakers, luxury or mainstream. Owners reported 133 problems per 100 vehicles, a full 40 percent fewer issues than the industry average. Of course, it helps when your mainstream brand, Toyota, is also ranked in the top 10.

Still, Lexus winning the top spot overall is made more impressive by its luxury status. J.D. Power notes that luxury automakers typically don’t score as well as mainstream marques due to having more, and newer, technology that “increases complexity and the inherent likelihood of additional problems.” Still, that wasn’t too much of a concern for buyers of Lexus’ 2020 models, and it hasn’t been an issue in prior years. Lexus was ranked sixth last year, and prior to the aforementioned changes to the study parameters, it was the top brand overall in 2021 and 2019.