New vehicles are costing more than ever, yet a growing body of data shows owners are living with more glitches, warning lights, and software headaches. Multiple long‑term dependability studies now point in the same direction: the typical new car is packing in advanced features faster than quality and durability can keep up.
That disconnect is especially stark as shoppers stretch budgets to afford higher monthly payments and longer loans. Instead of buying peace of mind, many are discovering that the latest tech and powertrains can mean more trips back to the dealer and more time spent troubleshooting apps instead of simply driving.
Dependability hits a historic low just as prices stay high
Researchers tracking long‑term ownership say the overall standard for reliability has slipped, even as engineering has advanced. One large survey of 34,175 owners of 2022 model‑year vehicles found car dependability at a historic low, with respondents reporting more problems as their vehicles aged than earlier generations did. Analysts linked some of that slide to Pandemic disruptions that pushed automakers to rush designs, juggle suppliers, and work around parts shortages, a combination that can leave more bugs in the finished product and ripple into long‑term reliability ratings.
At the same time, shoppers are not getting a discount for putting up with those issues. Pricing analysts note that Prices for new vehicles remain elevated, and buyers are being warned not to expect steep drops anytime soon. That means consumers are paying premium money for cars that, statistically, are more likely to suffer faults in their first few years on the road, a reversal of the long‑running trend in which each new generation tended to be more bulletproof than the last.
Software, connectivity and complex tech are driving many of the new problems
The most advanced parts of modern cars are increasingly the least dependable. A recent dependability study highlighted a jump in software‑related complaints, with the industry average climbing to 202 problems per 100 vehicles as owners wrestled with glitches in infotainment, driver‑assist systems, and digital controls, according to 202 problems per 100 vehicles. Another analysis of three‑year‑old cars found that Connectivity problems with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with built‑in voice recognition difficulties, were among the most common complaints for owners of 2021 model‑year vehicles.
Those findings are echoed in research that singles out in‑car tech as a weak link. One report noted that, According to According to Power, problems tied to Android Auto and Apple integration, usage, or connectivity are a major driver of dissatisfaction, even when engines and transmissions perform well. A separate overview of modern ownership trends described a Power Vehicle Dependability Study and an Increase in Modern Car Complaints, arguing that the standard has changed for drivers who are not mechanically minded but now must navigate software updates, app permissions, and sensor calibrations just to keep their vehicles functioning as advertised.
Why some brands still stand out, and what shoppers can do
Even in this tougher landscape, some automakers are managing to deliver relatively trouble‑free vehicles by moving more cautiously. A detailed brand scorecard built from owner data found that the reliability predictions for 2026 favor companies that redesign slowly, with Dec results showing that incremental updates tend to produce fewer defects than all‑new platforms packed with unproven features. Within that same analysis, the reliability predictions for 2026 highlighted how some electric models, such as the Cadillac Lyriq scoring below average, illustrate the risks of launching ambitious technology without enough time to debug, as detailed in the reliability predictions for 2026. Survey‑based research behind that scorecard stresses that, as Dec, Our surveys continue to show, brands that avoid constant overhauls are more likely to earn an average or better score for reliability, a point underscored in the survey findings.
Long‑term data also shows that some familiar badges remain safe bets. An evaluation of 26 brands found that Of 26 brands, Lexus and Toyota top the list with a commanding advantage over third‑ranked Mazda, and All three brands have built reputations for vehicles that stay reliable as they age. Another dependability ranking concluded that Lexus builds the most dependable cars for sale in America, while Toyota builds the most dependable vehicles available at mainstream prices, reinforcing the idea that conservative engineering can still pay off. On the model level, a list of the top 10 most reliable 2026 vehicles noted that, In the latest report, fully electric vehicles continue to prove a bit more reliable than plug‑in hybrids but less reliable than traditional hybrids, with brands with the highest predicted reliability, such as Subaru Remains Num, standing out as exceptions, according to In the rankings. Shoppers can also learn from the other end of the spectrum: a rundown of the least dependable 2026 models, which begins with the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and its Reliab score, illustrates how complex plug‑in systems and sliding‑door hardware can combine into a reliability minefield, as highlighted in a list that opened with “Here” are the top 10 least reliable vehicles for 2026.
More from Wilder Media Group: