Tesla scores considerably better
How is the quality of new cars doing? Not very best, if you ask the American JD Power. The annual Initial Quality Study from JD Power shows that new Audis and Volvo’s suffer from most ailments.
The American research agency JD Power annually publishes various studies that relate to the quality of cars. One is the Initial Quality Study in which many models that are sold in the United States is kept up to the number of defects that occur in the first 90 days of possession. It is important to know that it concerns cars for the American market, these are often models that are available here or are sold in other specification and sometimes come to roll out of another factory. It is also about defects reported by owners. It turns out: the average number of defects in the first three months of possession was slightly lower than last year, but is still not good. 92,694 cars from model year 2025 participated in the latest quality research.
On average 192 defects were reported per 100 cars. Last year it was still 194 defects per 100 cars. A small difference. In 2021, JD Power also amounted to an average of 162 defects per 100 cars. The defects that were included in the study are divided into various categories and are about small euvelts such as failing lights, buttons or broken cover, but also about more serious defects such as motorcycles and problems with infotainment and safety systems. Infotainment remains the most problematic category. On average, an average of 43 defects have been reported per 100 cars. That is slightly less than last year, but still many.
Fewer defects at Tesla
More interesting conclusions from JD Power: cars from brands that are seen as ‘premium’ show more defects than volume brands. Plug-in hybrids show on average 237 defects per 100 cars. That is more than electric cars (212 defects) and plug -free hybrid cars (196 defects). Petrol cars show the least defects per 100 cars on average: 184 pieces. According to JD Power, the fact that fully electric cars per 100 cars in the first 90 days of possession now show on average fewer defects than plug-ins is mainly because fewer defects are reported at Tesla’s. On average 200 defects were reported per 100 Tesla’s this year, 62 less than last year.
Newer model, more problems
Also interesting: new models introduced on the market score with an average of 203 defects per 100 cars worse than new cars of models that have been on the market for more than a year (190 defects per 100 cars).
Winners (Lexus, Nissan, Hyundai and … Jaguar!)
With an average of 166 defects per 100 cars, Lexus can call himself the winner of JD Powers Initial Quality Study 2025, followed by Nissan (169 defects), Hyundai (173 defects) and – surprise – Jaguar! (175 defects). Chevrolet (178 defects) is in place. The rest of the top 10 with brands with the smallest number of reported defects per 100 cars is filled by Honda (179), Dodge (180), Kia (181), Buick (183) and Genesis (183).
Losers
Audi (269 defects) and Volvo (258 defects) have the dubious honor to claim the two lowest places in the ranking. Also Infiniti (242 defects), Volkswagen (225 defects) and Mazda (225 defects) do not score fantastic.
Porsche 911: The best
According to JD Power, the Porsche 911 is the car with the lowest number of ailments. JD Power also points out class winners. Below you can see per category or segment, which according to JD Power’s research are the best scoring models.
Tesla Scores Significantly Better
How is the Quality of New Cars? Not very good, if you ask the American JD Power. The Annual Initial Quality Study by JD Power Shows That New Audis and Volvos Suffer From The Most Ailments.
The American Research Agency JD Power Publishes Various Studies Related to the Quality of Cars Every Year. One of these is the initial quality study, which tracks the number of defects that occur in the first 90 days of ownership for many models Sold in the United States. It is important to know that this concerns cars for the american market, which are or models that are not available here, or are sold in other specifications, and some from a different factory. It also groups defects by owners. What turns out: The Average Number of Defects in the First Three Months of Ownership was Slightly Lower Than Last Year, But Is Still Not Good. The latest Quality Survey Included 92,694 Cars from Model Year 2025.
An Average of 192 defects were reported per 100 cars. Last year it was still 194 defects per 100 cars. So a Small Difference. In 2021, JD Power Came Out to Anverage or 162 defects per 100 Cars. The defects Included in the Study Are Divided Into Various Categories And Concern Minor Ailments Such As Failing Lights, Buttons Or Broken Flaps, But also More Serious Defects Such As Engine Malfunctions and Problems With Infotainment and Safety Systems. Infotainment remains the most problematic category. In Terms of Infotainment, AN Average or Around 43 defects per 100 Cars Were reported. That is slightly less than last year, but still a lot.
FEWER DEFECTS AT TESLA
Newer Model, More Problems
Also interesting: Newly introduced Models Score Worse With An Average of 203 defects per 100 cars than new cars of Models That Have Been on the Market for More than a year (190 defects per 100 Cars).
Winners (Lexus, Nissan, Hyundai and … Jaguar!)
With An Average of 166 defects per 100 Cars, Lexus can call itself the winner of JD Powers Initial Quality Study 2025, followed by Nissan (169 defects), Hyundai (173 defects) and – Surprise – Jaguar! (175 defects). Chevrolet is in Fifth Place (178 defects). The rest of the top 10 with brands with the smallest number of reported defects per 100 cars is Filled by Honda (179), Dodge (180), Kia (181), Buick (183) and Genesis (183).
Losers
Audi (269 defects) and Volvo (258 defects) Have the Dubious Honor of Claiming the Two Lowest Places in the Ranking. Infiniti (242 defects), Volkswagen (225 defects) and Mazda (225 defects) Also do not score Fantastically.
Porsche 911: the best
Accordance to JD Power, The Porsche 911 is the Car with the Lowest Number of Ailments. JD Power also designates class winners. Below you can see per category or segment what, Accordance to JD Power’s Research, are the best-scoring models.