Volvo once promoted its reliability. Now, it ranks nearly at the bottom.

Volvo once promoted its reliability. Now, it ranks nearly at the bottom.

      David Shepherd/Volvo

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      When you think of Volvo, safety likely springs to mind first, with reliability being a close second. The manufacturer has previously marketed its vehicles' indestructible qualities just as much as its safety advancements. However, in the latest J.D. Power rankings, Volvo has nearly fallen to the bottom.

      In J.D. Power’s 2026 Vehicle Dependability Study, which assesses the reliability of new cars and trucks based on owner-reported issues per 100 vehicles, Volvo was ranked next-to-last. Owners indicated 296 problems per 100 vehicles, slightly better than Volkswagen (301), but worse than perennial troublemakers Jeep (267) and Land Rover (274). The average for all brands stood at 204 problems per 100 vehicles.

      Volvo had a better standing in the 2025 study, though still not at the top. Last year, Volvo owners reported 242 problems per 100 vehicles, placing the Swedish manufacturer 23rd out of 31 brands ranked, and below the industry average of 202 problems per 100 vehicles.

      The decline for 2026 aligns with broader industry trends highlighted by J.D. Power. Analysts observed significant frustration with over-the-air (OTA) software updates and noted that vehicles with plug-in hybrid and all-electric powertrains experienced more issues compared to those with hybrid and traditional gasoline engines. Recently, Volvo has faced challenges in delivering dependable software while expanding its lineup to include plug-in hybrids and EVs.

      New vehicles have become increasingly complex, which can negatively affect long-term reliability. However, loyal customers have valid reasons to feel let down by Volvo's disappointing performance. As noted by a user on the r/Volvo subreddit, the automaker's advertisements used to feature phrases like “invest in durable goods” and “drive your Volvo like you hate it.”

      Similar to prestige German brands, Volvo has shifted its focus from emphasizing reliability and engineering to spotlighting technology and design as a justification for their price premiums. Volvos are no longer just “durable goods”; they have transitioned into luxury items. Additionally, Volvo has made some recent miscalculations, launching a poorly received software feature initiative and downgrading with the EX30 in light of policy changes. Now, the company is seeking to correct its course with its next-generation electric vehicles.

Volvo once promoted its reliability. Now, it ranks nearly at the bottom. Volvo once promoted its reliability. Now, it ranks nearly at the bottom. Volvo once promoted its reliability. Now, it ranks nearly at the bottom.

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Volvo once promoted its reliability. Now, it ranks nearly at the bottom.

The Swedish car manufacturer performed poorly in the most recent J.D. Power study.