Volkswagen ranks last in 2026 US reliability study
What happened
In JD Power’s 2026 US Vehicle Dependability Study, Volkswagen ranked last among all surveyed automakers. The brand averaged 301 problems per 100 vehicles, which is double the average of Lexus, which placed first. The report notes that the decline is linked to rising recalls and poor build quality.
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Why it matters
The decline in reliability impacts the market standing of Volkswagen Group. The poor performance strengthens the competitive position of rivals such as Toyota, Honda, and BMW. Lexus, a brand owned by Toyota, benefits from its high ranking in the study.
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Who's involved
- VolkswagenGerman automotive brand whose reliability is declining
- LexusJapanese luxury brand that ranked first in the dependability study
- ToyotaJapanese multinational manufacturer that owns Lexus and competes with Volkswagen
- Volkswagen GroupGerman conglomerate that owns Volkswagen
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- BMWSpeculative
BMW may gain market share and competitive standing as Volkswagen's reliability declines.
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The entities involved
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Volkswagen
German automotive brand; manufacturing subsidiary of Volkswagen Group
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Toyota
Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer