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For a U.S. shopper in 2024, the Toyota Corolla, RAV4, 4Runner, Camry and Highlander stood out as used-car candidates in J.D. Power’s 2024 Vehicle Dependability Study. The study named them segment award recipients based on reports from original owners of 2021 model-year vehicles after three years—not on inspections of used cars currently for sale. Treat the list as a shortlist, then judge the exact car you may buy.
Which used cars ranked as the most dependable?
J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) named these Toyota models as segment leaders or award recipients. Toyota Motor Corporation received nine model-level awards, more than any other automaker in the study.
| Model | Study segment |
|---|---|
| Toyota Corolla | Compact car |
| Toyota RAV4 | Compact SUV |
| Toyota 4Runner | Midsize SUV |
| Toyota Camry | Midsize car |
| Toyota Highlander | Upper-midsize SUV |
These are class-specific study results, not a single ranking that says one vehicle is best for every buyer. Choose a class and use first: a compact car, for example, serves a different need from a midsize SUV. J.D. Power’s broader 2024 dependability ratings page also identifies the Corolla as highest-ranked in its compact-car category: J.D. Power 2024 dependability awards.
What does the 2024 reliability evidence measure?
The 2024 VDS surveyed 30,595 original owners of 2021 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership. Fieldwork ran from August through November 2023. J.D. Power measured owner-reported problems across 184 specific areas in nine categories: climate, driving assistance, driving experience, exterior, features and controls, infotainment, interior, powertrain and seats. See the 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study for the study’s details.
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J.D. Power reports problems per 100 vehicles (PP100); a lower score indicates fewer reported problems. The 2024 industry average was 190 PP100, four points higher than in 2023. Infotainment was the most problematic category, at 49.1 PP100. Those figures describe the study’s surveyed cohort, not the likely repair bill or trouble rate for a particular used car.
The study also reported averages by powertrain type: battery-electric vehicles had 256 PP100, plug-in hybrids 216, hybrids 191 and gasoline vehicles 187. These are group averages from the study, not predictions for every model or grounds on their own to rule out a particular vehicle.
How should a buyer use this shortlist?
A model-level award can help narrow a search, but it cannot tell you whether a specific car was maintained well, has hidden damage or is in good condition today. Before committing, evaluate the individual vehicle as well as the model’s study result.
- Match the car to your needs. Compare vehicles in the class and body style that fit your passengers, cargo, driving and budget requirements.
- Check the exact model year and trim. The VDS evidence is specifically about 2021 model-year vehicles; it does not establish that all years, trims or configurations perform alike.
- Review the vehicle’s history. Check available maintenance, ownership and accident records. A history report can provide useful context, but it does not prove a car has no faults.
- Arrange an independent pre-purchase inspection. A qualified professional can assess the vehicle’s current condition in a way a broad model ranking cannot.
- Use a diagnostic scanner only as one check. An OBD-II scanner may reveal trouble codes, but it is not a substitute for a professional inspection.
What this ranking cannot tell you
The VDS is U.S.-specific and reflects reports from original owners of three-year-old vehicles, not every used model year or the current stock of used cars. It does not establish today’s prices or availability, a vehicle’s maintenance quality, its safety status or whether an individual example has hidden faults. Consumer Reports also offers used-car reliability and buying guidance, but no Consumer Reports model ranking is cited here because a relevant ranking could not be verified for this comparison: Consumer Reports used-car guidance.
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