The J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS) provides information about long-term vehicle quality after three years of ownership, when most vehicles reach the end of the warranty period and owners assume responsibility for repair costs. Owners rate vehicles based on problems experienced during the previous 12 months in a variety of categories, including ride/handling/braking, engine and transmission, and a broad range of vehicle quality problems. The VDS study has been an industry benchmark since 1990.[1]