Lexus retakes No. 1 spot in J.D. Power dependability study

Overall, the industry improved slightly from a year ago, with an average of 186 problems per 100 vehicles — down by six problems from the 2022 study.

Last year, Lexus ranked No. 6 with 159 problems per vehicle, a large drop from its first-place position in 2021. This year, Lexus reported 133 problems per 100 vehicles, jumping back to the No. 1 spot.

Genesis rose from No. 4 in 2022 to second place this year with 144 problems per 100 vehicles. Kia owners reported 152 problems per 100 vehicles vs. the 145 problems last year that earned the brand the top spot.

Last year, all three Hyundai Motor Group brands — Hyundai, Kia and Genesis — placed in the top five. This year, the Hyundai brand dropped from third to eighth place with a reported 170 problems per 100 vehicles.

General Motors’ Buick brand dropped two rankings from its No. 4 spot in the 2022 study, while Chevrolet placed fifth.

Toyota Motor Corp. took home six model awards, the most of all brands, for the Lexus NX and RX and the Toyota C-HR, Highlander, Sienna and Tacoma.

BMW received four segment awards, for its BMW 4 Series, X2 and X5 and for its Mini Cooper. General Motors also took home four awards for its Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado HD and Tahoe and its GMC Sierra.

Hyundai Motor Group earned three segment awards for the Kia Forte, Optima and Sportage.

This year’s study includes Tesla owner responses for the first time, with Tesla scoring 242 problems per 100 vehicles. But the brand remains unranked because Tesla does not allow J.D. Power access to owner information in states where that permission is required by law.