Tesla’s position in the 2025 J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) reveals an improving path for the electric automaker in terms of long-term reliability.
2025 J.D. Power Dependability Results
The J.D. Power study, which measures the number of problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) after three years of ownership, ranked Tesla at 209 PP100. This score places Tesla just below the industry average of 202 PP100 but marks a notable improvement from previous years. Tesla now ranks ahead of brands such as Ram (242 PP100), Mercedes-Benz (243 PP100), Acura (249 PP100), and Chrysler (282 PP100).
However, it remains behind automakers such as Toyota (162 PP100), Mazda (161 PP100), and premium brands like Lexus (140 PP100) and Cadillac (169 PP100).
One asterisks to Tesla’s placement in the rankings is that J.D. Power does not officially rank the automaker due to its limited participation in customer surveys in certain states. Tesla’s score is calculated based on available data but is not directly compared in the ranked list.
In a broader context, the study highlights software defects as a major issue across the auto industry, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity being among the most frequently reported problems, a system which Tesla has not integrated, instead deciding to stick with its own proprietary infotainment system.
Another challenge for Tesla is its service and repair network. Unlike traditional automakers with vast dealership networks, Tesla relies on a limited number of service centers and mobile technicians. As the number of Teslas on the road increases, the pressure on Tesla’s service infrastructure grows, leading to longer wait times for repairs and maintenance.
