- Overall vehicle dependability holds steady year over year
- Plug-in hybrids have fewest problems per 100 vehicles
- Bluetooth connectivity problems nearly double among hybrids
MEXICO CITY: 05 Nov. 2026 — From dropped Bluetooth connections to parking camera lenses that get dirty too easily, everyday technology frustrations persist for vehicle owners in Mexico, even as overall dependability holds steady, according to the JD Power 2026 Mexico Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS), released today. Beneath the static industry average, the ownership experience is shifting: plug-in hybrids have the fewest reported problems among powertrain types, while hybrids lose ground and the two highest-ranking mass market brands in vehicle dependability are Chinese brands.
Overall dependability remains unchanged from 2025 at 229 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). Plug-in hybrids lead with 212 PP100, followed by gasoline vehicles (230 PP100), hybrids (232 PP100) and electric vehicles (260 PP100). Hybrid problems increase 36 PP100 from a year ago, with Bluetooth connectivity issues nearly doubling. A lower PP100 means higher vehicle dependability.
“Dependability extends beyond major mechanical problems to the everyday features owners count on each time they drive,” said Gerardo Gomez, senior director and country manager at JD Power Mexico. “A dropped Bluetooth connection or a parking camera that is difficult to keep clear can become a recurring frustration, and getting these kinds of details right is an important part of delivering vehicles that owners can depend on.”
Following are some key findings of the 2026 study:
- Plug-in hybrids stand out as hybrid problems increase: Slightly more than half (51%) of plug-in hybrid owners report at least one problem, the lowest proportion among the four powertrain types. These owners also have the highest intent to repurchase the same brand, with 64% saying they “definitely will” repurchase. In contrast, hybrid problems increase by 36 PP100 from 2025, and the proportion of hybrid owners reporting at least one problem rises nine percentage points to 64%. Gasoline vehicle problems increase just 1 PP100.
- Connectivity and visibility remain common frustrations: Bluetooth connectivity is the most frequently reported problem among gasoline and hybrid owners, at 6.0 PP100 and 7.1 PP100, respectively, with the rate for hybrids nearly doubling from 3.8 PP100 in 2025. Parking camera lenses getting dirty too easily is also among the top three problems reported across all four powertrain types.
- Chinese brands strengthen their position: JAC and Great Wall Motor are the two highest-ranking mass market brands in vehicle dependability. Furthermore, 40% of Chinese-brand owners say they “definitely will” repurchase the same brand, compared with 44% across the industry. Separately, vehicles manufactured in China improve to 245 PP100 from 251 PP100 a year ago, while vehicles manufactured in Japan (197 PP100) have the fewest problems among the manufacturing origins included in the study.
- Gen Z1 owners report fewer problems but remain highest: Problems reported by Gen Z owners decline 27 PP100 to 280 PP100, making this the only generation to improve from 2025. However, this problem rate remains higher than those for owners in Gen Y (222 PP100), Gen X (205 PP100) and Boomers (174 PP100). The most common problem among Gen Z owners is parking camera lenses getting dirty too easily (8.6 PP100).
Brand Rankings
MINI ranks highest in vehicle dependability among premium brands with a score of 98 PP100. Volvo ranks second (109 PP100) and Mercedes-Benz (139 PP100) ranks third.
JAC (115 PP100) ranks highest in vehicle dependability among mass market brands. Great Wall Motor ranks second (147 PP100) and Mitsubishi (155 PP100) ranks third.
Segment Awards
Listed below are the highest-ranked models in each segment.
Entry Sub-Compact: Nissan March
Upper Sub-Compact: Toyota Yaris
Compact: MG Motor MG5
Entry SUV: Jeep Renegade
Crossover: Honda HR-V
Compact SUV: Mazda CX-5
Fullsize Pickup: Toyota Tacoma
The 2026 Mexico Vehicle Dependability Study is based on responses from 10,471 original owners of 2023 to 2025 model-year vehicles and was fielded from December 2025 through August 2026. The Mexico Vehicle Dependability Study allows manufacturers to pinpoint and update vehicle-related concerns and deliver clearer, more proactive communication to owners through in-vehicle messaging email campaigns and dealer education. This visibility supports more effective troubleshooting and faster deployment of improvements, ultimately reinforcing trust, satisfaction, and long-term loyalty.
About JD Power
JD Power is a proven leader in business-critical data and intelligence to drive auto-related decisions with confidence and clarity. By leveraging unmatched proprietary data, advanced analytics and deep industry expertise, JD Power fuels original equipment manufacturers, retailers, lenders, insurers and partners to enhance their performance.
Since 1968, JD Power has delivered incisive guidance and intelligence about customer interactions with brands and products. To learn more about the company’s business offerings, visit JDPower.com.
Media Contacts
1JD Power defines generational groups as Pre-Boomers (born before 1946); Boomers (1946-1964); Gen X (1965-1976); Gen Y (1977-1994); and Gen Z (1995-2008).
