Lexus at No. 1 and Nissan at No. 2 topped J.D. Power's 2025 Initial Quality Study, replacing Ram and Chevrolet for the least problems per 100 vehicles in the first 90 days of vehicle ownership.

Lexus had an average of 166 problems per 100 vehicles. The top Detroit brand was Chevrolet at No. 4 and the third-highest mass-market brand with 178 problems per 100 vehicles, up from 159 a year ago. Overall, the industry's quality based on the survey that ran from June 2024 through May 2025 of nearly 93,000 customers of 2025 model-year vehicles improved to 192 problems per 100 vehicles from 194, largely from improvement by Tesla Inc. Half of the top problems stem from infotainment issues, an area automakers are relying on for differentiation and expanding revenue streams.

“While customers do find the larger touchscreens visually appealing, their functionality within the vehicle is an increasing source of frustration,” Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power, said in a statement. “Customers are having to tap and swipe through multiple screens to access key vehicle functions like climate settings and built-in garage door openers. Owners find these things to be overly complicated and too distracting to use while driving. By retaining dedicated physical controls for some of these interactions, automakers can alleviate pain points and simplify the overall customer experience.”

For the first time, plug-in hybrids had more problems than fully electric vehicles at 237 per 100 vehicles compared to 212, respectively, with J.D. Power attributing the EV improvement to Tesla. Gasoline-powered vehicles at 184 and hybrids at 196, however, still had fewer issues.

Following Chevrolet, Dodge ranked at No. 7 with 180 problems per 100 vehicles, down from last year's 300. Buick tied with Genesis at No. 9 at 183, worse from 164 in 2024. Jeep was just after at No. 10 with 186, improvement from last year's 199. Ford, GMC, Cadillac, Lincoln, Chrysler and Ram all fell below the study average of 192. With 269 problems per 100 vehicles, Audi finished last at No. 31, excluding Tesla and Rivian, which didn't meet the study's requirements.

Ford Mustang ranked as the highest sporty car. Buick Encore GX was the highest-ranked small SUV. Cadillac XT5 was the top midsize premium SUV. Ford Escape finished as the top compact SUV. The top large SUV was the Chevrolet Tahoe. Chevrolet Blazer received the top midsize SUV recognition. Jeep Gladiator tied with Hyundai Santa Cruz for top midsize pickup truck, while for full-size trucks the Ford F-150 tied with the Chevrolet Silverado. Ford Super Duty topped the large heavy-duty pickup segment. The Porsche 911 was the highest-ranked vehicle overall with 116 problems per 100 vehicles.

Ford Motor Co., whose financial results have struggled from warranty costs and recalls, in a news release highlighted that the Ford brand had more segment winners than any other brand, though General Motors Co. overall had the most top-ranked vehicles in their segments. Ford's eligible vehicles placed in the top three of their respective segments. No. 14 Ford's problems per 100 vehicles increased to 193 from 178, and No. 20 Lincoln's fell to 206 from 224.

“Customers expect new vehicles to make their lives easier, more fun, or both right from the first mile,” Josh Halliburton, Ford's executive director of quality, said in a statement. “Four segment topping finishers and overall improving vehicle quality scores for most nameplates show that while we have to remain laser focused on earning the trust of our customers, we’re headed in the right direction.”

None of the Detroit Three's plants received assembly line quality awards from J.D. Power.

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