Summary
- BEVs are not the most dependable vehicles according to a study by J.D. Power
- Conventional hybrids are found to be the type of vehicle with the least problems per 100 vehicles
- BEVs have been improving in dependability, but PHEVs have been getting less dependable
- The rise in problems in the industry is attributed to software defects and supply chain disruptions
- It might be best to wait another year or two before considering the dependability ranking of vehicles produced during the pandemic period.
Article
The J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM reveals surprising results regarding the dependability of electric vehicles (EVs). Contrary to popular belief, full electric vehicles (BEVs) are not the most dependable vehicles according to the study. The study found that conventional hybrids and gas-powered cars had fewer problems per 100 vehicles compared to BEVs. Diesel-powered vehicles were ranked 4th, and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) were last in terms of dependability. It is important to note that the study examines vehicles that are three years old, and many BEV models were brand new a few years ago, possibly affecting their reliability ranking.
Despite BEVs not being the most dependable vehicles, there are positive trends to report in terms of their dependability. The study indicates that BEVs have been becoming more dependable over time, showing a 33 PP100 improvement year over year. On the other hand, PHEVs have seen a decline in dependability, dropping 26 PP100. This has led to a narrowing gap between gas-powered vehicles and BEVs in terms of dependability. The rise in problems for the industry as a whole is partly attributed to software defects, which have increased by 12 PP100 compared to the previous year’s results.
Software defects play a significant role in the industry’s rise in problems per 100 vehicles, especially when considering brands like Tesla. Tesla vehicles have had reliability issues but have shown improvement over time. However, Tesla’s approach to software updates means that some recalls can be fixed with over-the-air updates, minimizing inconvenience for owners. The inclusion of software-related issues in the dependability study raises questions about its accuracy. There is a suggestion that issues requiring only software updates should not be included in the same analysis as those necessitating physical fixes.
The study also notes that the vehicles examined were produced during a time of significant disruptions in the industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These disruptions included supply chain challenges, production issues, and personnel disruptions, adding to the rise in problems per 100 vehicles. The study’s findings may need to be revisited in the coming years, as the three-year-old vehicles examined were built during a challenging period for the industry. Potential buyers are advised to wait for more updated rankings before considering the dependability of specific vehicle models.
In conclusion, while the J.D. Power study may challenge the common perception of EVs being highly dependable, it highlights important trends in the automotive industry. Despite BEVs not leading in dependability, there is evidence of improvement in their reliability over time. The challenges faced by the industry during the pandemic and other disruptions may have impacted the study’s results, emphasizing the need for a more comprehensive analysis in the future. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of vehicle dependability and highlights areas for improvement in the industry.
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