COMING SOON | 2027 Enhancements:
The value of VDS continues to grow! Now incorporating year-round data collection with continuous reporting, the JD Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study will also integrate verified vehicle repair data from franchised dealers, complementing our trusted Voice of the Customer insights. This provides automakers and suppliers with a more robust and actionable view of dependability at three years of ownership and beyond.
With continuous reporting starting in April 2026, subscribing clients will benefit from earlier detection of warranty and post-warranty issues, enabling proactive part re-engineering and the timely deployment of updates that enhance the customer experience.
In addition, competitive benchmarks grounded in actual completed repairs offer a clearer measurement of true market position and reveal specific areas for targeted improvement to strengthen customer loyalty and brand reputation.
The value of VDS continues to grow! Now incorporating year-round data collection with continuous reporting, the JD Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study will also integrate verified vehicle repair data from franchised dealers, complementing our trusted Voice of the Customer insights. This provides automakers and suppliers with a more robust and actionable view of dependability at three years of ownership and beyond.
With continuous reporting starting in April 2026, subscribing clients will benefit from earlier detection of warranty and post-warranty issues, enabling proactive part re-engineering and the timely deployment of updates that enhance the customer experience.
In addition, competitive benchmarks grounded in actual completed repairs offer a clearer measurement of true market position and reveal specific areas for targeted improvement to strengthen customer loyalty and brand reputation.
Study Details
Quality and dependability continue to be the most important factors when shoppers consider a new vehicle, and key competitive differentiators between brands.
The JD Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS) provides automakers and suppliers with an understanding of the specific factors impacting owner satisfaction with long-term vehicle quality by identifying the problems experienced by original owners of 3-year-old vehicles.
Study findings are used extensively by manufacturers worldwide to help them design and build better vehicles—which typically retain higher resale value—and by consumers to help them make more informed choices for both new and used vehicles.
Quality and dependability continue to be the most important factors when shoppers consider a new vehicle, and key competitive differentiators between brands.
The JD Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS) provides automakers and suppliers with an understanding of the specific factors impacting owner satisfaction with long-term vehicle quality by identifying the problems experienced by original owners of 3-year-old vehicles.
Study findings are used extensively by manufacturers worldwide to help them design and build better vehicles—which typically retain higher resale value—and by consumers to help them make more informed choices for both new and used vehicles.
The Benefits
VDS helps automakers and suppliers understand:
- The makes and models that are most trouble-free
- How vehicle problems experienced compare with owners’ expectations
- The influence of problems on owners’ overall satisfaction with their vehicle
- The types of problems owners consider most bothersome
- Problems that have the greatest negative impact on loyalty
- Major components that are replaced during the first 3 years of ownership
- Where and under which conditions problems may occur
VDS helps automakers and suppliers understand:
- The makes and models that are most trouble-free
- How vehicle problems experienced compare with owners’ expectations
- The influence of problems on owners’ overall satisfaction with their vehicle
- The types of problems owners consider most bothersome
- Problems that have the greatest negative impact on loyalty
- Major components that are replaced during the first 3 years of ownership
- Where and under which conditions problems may occur
The Scope
VDS focuses on problems experienced by original owners of 3-year-old vehicles. Problem symptoms are evaluated in nine vehicle system categories:
- Climate
- Driving Assistance
- The Driving Experience
- Exterior
- Features/Controls/Displays
- Infotainment
- Interior
- Powertrain
- Seats
VDS focuses on problems experienced by original owners of 3-year-old vehicles. Problem symptoms are evaluated in nine vehicle system categories:
- Climate
- Driving Assistance
- The Driving Experience
- Exterior
- Features/Controls/Displays
- Infotainment
- Interior
- Powertrain
- Seats
2026 Key Dates
Fielding: December 2024 – November 2025
Publish: February 10, 2026
Press Release: February 12, 2026
Fielding: December 2024 – November 2025
Publish: February 10, 2026
Press Release: February 12, 2026
2027 Key Dates
Fielding: December 2025 – November 2026
Annual Publish: February 9, 2027
Additional Publishes: April 2026, July – December 2026
Press Release: February 11, 2027
Fielding: December 2025 – November 2026
Annual Publish: February 9, 2027
Additional Publishes: April 2026, July – December 2026
Press Release: February 11, 2027
Press Release & Award Information
JD Power will issue a national press release highlighting key findings and top-to-bottom rankings from the study. The brand(s) that rank highest in each award-eligible segment and meet predetermined award criteria will have the opportunity to enter into a licensing agreement through the JD Power Awards Program, which requires subscribing to the study as a prerequisite. Entering into a licensing agreement provides top-ranked brands with the valuable opportunity to market their award-winning performance. As the trusted symbol of excellence, JD Power Awards enhance brand perceptions, drive consumer preference, and differentiate awarded brands in competitive marketplaces.
Read the latest Press Release >
Learn More about VDS Awards >
Learn More about all JD Power Awards >
Find Out about JD Power Performance Reports >
JD Power will issue a national press release highlighting key findings and top-to-bottom rankings from the study. The brand(s) that rank highest in each award-eligible segment and meet predetermined award criteria will have the opportunity to enter into a licensing agreement through the JD Power Awards Program, which requires subscribing to the study as a prerequisite. Entering into a licensing agreement provides top-ranked brands with the valuable opportunity to market their award-winning performance. As the trusted symbol of excellence, JD Power Awards enhance brand perceptions, drive consumer preference, and differentiate awarded brands in competitive marketplaces.
Read the latest Press Release >
Learn More about VDS Awards >
Learn More about all JD Power Awards >
Find Out about JD Power Performance Reports >
Profiled Brands
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If you’ve received a JD Power survey and have questions or comments, please contact us here.
For all other inquiries, you can contact us here.
JD Power studies, products, and services are available for purchase. If you’re interested in subscribing to a JD Power study or becoming a client, please fill out the form, and we'll be in touch. Questions? Click here to find the answers to frequently asked questions.
If you’ve received a JD Power survey and have questions or comments, please contact us here.
For all other inquiries, you can contact us here.