How Volvo Went From the Most Reliable Cars to Near the Bottom

In the 1970s and 80s, Volvo built its reputation on something unfashionable: simplicity. Cars like the 240 were overbuilt, mechanically straightforward, and designed to be fixed rather than replaced. The 940 that followed leaned on familiar components, while many competitors were already introducing increasingly complex electronics and untested systems. That conservatism was very much part of the product. And for decades, it worked brilliantly. Now, in 2026, Volvo sits second from the bottom of the JD Power US Vehicle Dependability Study, with owners reporting 296 problems per 100 vehicles against an industry average of 204. The line between that fall and the tech revolution Volvo bet everything on is a pretty clear trajectory.

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