New Car Quality Rankings Are Out — Audi Won’t Like This

J.D. Power has released the 39th edition of its U.S. Initial Quality Study, offering a detailed look at which car brands deliver the fewest problems during the first 90 days of ownership. Based on responses from 92,694 owners and lessees of 2025 model-year vehicles, this year’s study paints a clear picture of growing dissatisfaction with luxury brands and tech-heavy interiors.

The data was gathered between June 2024 and May 2025, with participants answering 227 questions across various categories, including infotainment, engine performance, climate systems, build quality, and driver-assistance technologies.

Lexus Tops the Chart with the Fewest Reported Problems

While luxury brands often struggle with reliability and user-friendliness due to complex features, Lexus defied expectations. The Japanese premium marque led the rankings with only 166 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100)—a significant achievement in a segment traditionally plagued by tech-related issues.

Other top performers included:

• Nissan: 169 PP100 (2nd place)
• Dodge: 172 PP100
• Jaguar: 174 PP100
• Buick: 185 PP100
• Genesis: 190 PP100
• Porsche: 192 PP100

The industry average this year was 192 problems per 100 vehicles, slightly better than last year’s 194.

Audi, Rivian, and Volvo Struggle with Quality

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Audi ranked dead last with 269 reported problems per 100 vehicles, followed closely by Volvo (258 PP100) and Infiniti (242 PP100).

Though Rivian tied Audi with 269 problems, it was excluded from the final rankings for not meeting J.D. Power’s eligibility criteria. Tesla, another notable omission from official rankings, came in with 200 PP100, placing it near Cadillac and Toyota, which also posted 200 PP100.

This is particularly surprising for Toyota, which has long held a reputation for rock-solid reliability. Mazda, another brand often praised for quality, ranked disappointingly low with 225 PP100, the same as Volkswagen.

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Mainstream Brands Outperform Premium Counterparts

One of the standout takeaways from the study is the performance gap between mainstream and luxury brands. While upscale marques often load their vehicles with advanced tech, this frequently results in higher user-reported issues, particularly around infotainment systems and climate controls.

Among the mainstream winners, Nissan, Dodge, and Buick all scored significantly better than several of their luxury competitors. In contrast, Infiniti’s poor showing highlights a notable quality gap between it and parent brand Nissan.

Most Common Complaints: Screens, Cupholders, and Tech Overload

The J.D. Power study doesn’t only focus on mechanical reliability—it also measures owner frustrations with user experience. Among the most commonly reported issues:

• Touchscreen-based climate controls: Many drivers find them confusing and less intuitive than traditional knobs and buttons.
• Cupholder usability: A surprisingly common complaint involved cupholders failing to fit various bottle and cup sizes.
• Driver-assistance features: Some owners reported inconsistencies or confusion when using Level 2 ADAS systems.

Audi’s Quality Decline: A Pattern Years in the Making

Audi’s last-place finish didn’t come out of nowhere. From 2020 to 2024, the German automaker consistently ranked near the bottom in J.D. Power’s studies. Though it occasionally avoided last place thanks to worse-performing brands like Land Rover, Chrysler, or Maserati, this year’s results solidify a downward trend.

To its credit, Audi has acknowledged the issue. In a recent statement, Oscar da Silva Martins, Head of Product and Technology Communication, admitted: “We have certainly been better in terms of quality in the past, but we will get there again.” Whether improvements such as the new unified stalk design in the Q3 will make a difference remains to be seen.

Conclusion: Reliability Isn’t What It Used to Be

The 2025 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study serves as a reminder that luxury does not always equal quality. Brands like Lexus, Nissan, and Jaguar continue to lead the way with strong early ownership experiences, while tech-laden premium models often introduce frustration and complexity.

For buyers prioritizing short-term dependability and user satisfaction, mainstream brands may offer a better return on investment—at least for the first 90 days.