Last updated: 2026-07-25
Buick Reliability Ratings — Every Model Ranked
Buick offers generally reliable vehicles, though reliability varies across models and years. Most Buick models fall within the "Good" range, making them a reasonable choice for buyers who prioritize dependability.
Buick Best Year Score Comparison
Each bar shows the best single model year score for that Buick model. Longer bars indicate higher peak reliability.
Buick Model Rankings
Scores below are averaged across all tracked model years. The “Best Year” column shows which year scored highest.
| # | Vehicle | Best Year | Score | Rating | Recalls | Complaints / 10k | Maint. Rating | Est. Repair Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buick Encore | 2022 | 79/100 | Good | 4 | 6.9 | 4 | $466/yr |
| 2 | Buick Envista | 2026 | 79/100 | Good | 1 | 7.1 | 3.5 | |
| 3 | Buick Envision | 2025 | 77/100 | Good | 6 | 4.9 | 3.5 | $573/yr |
| 4 | Buick Enclave | 2026 | 76/100 | Good | 10 | 7.3 | 3.5 | |
| 5 | Buick Encore GX | 2026 | 76/100 | Good | 6 | 6.4 | 3.5 | |
| 6 | Buick Lacrosse | 2019 | 76/100 | Good | 5 | 7.9 | 4 | $569/yr |
| 7 | Buick Regal | 2020 | 74/100 | Good | 8 | 14.5 | 4 | $563/yr |
Buick Models
Buick Encore
1st gen (2013–2022), facelifted 2017
The Buick Encore, covering model years 2018 to 2022, holds an average reliability score of 79 out of 100, indicating a good reliability reputation. Common issues reported by owners include problems with the engine and power train, particularly turbocharger failures, with an estimated annual repair cost aligning with the subcompact SUV average at $466.
Buick Envista
1st gen (2024–present)
The Buick Envista, spanning model years 2024 to 2026, scores an average reliability rating of 79/100, indicating a generally good performance with notable improvements over time. Common issues reported by owners include electrical system malfunctions, with earlier models experiencing more frequent complaints, and a decline in issues by 2026.
Buick Envision
2nd gen (2021–2023), facelifted 2024
The Buick Envision, covering model years 2018 to 2026, maintains an average reliability score of 77/100, categorized as "Good" on the Auto Reliability Index. Owners frequently report issues with the electrical system, power train, and service brakes, with complaint rates peaking at 6.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold in 2019.
Buick Enclave
3rd gen (2025–2023)
Data indicates that the Buick Enclave, with an average reliability score of 76/100 over the years 2018 to 2026, falls into the "Good" category on the Auto Reliability Index. Common issues reported by owners include problems with the power train, electrical systems, and service brakes, particularly in earlier model years.
Buick Encore GX
1st gen (2020–2023), facelifted 2024
The Buick Encore GX, covering model years 2020 to 2026, shows an average reliability score of 76 out of 100, indicating a generally good reliability reputation. Common issues reported by owners include power train and electrical system problems, particularly in earlier models, with the "Shift to Park" error being a notable concern.
Buick Lacrosse
4th gen (2023–2023)
The Buick LaCrosse, covering model years 2018 and 2019, holds an average reliability score of 76/100, categorized as good, with annual repair costs averaging $569, slightly above the midsize car segment's $526. Data indicates common issues in the 2018 model with the engine, electrical system, and power train, while the 2019 model frequently sees problems related to the e-shift mechanism and engine.
Buick Regal
6th gen (2018–2023), facelifted 2020
For the model years 2018 to 2020, the Buick Regal has an average reliability score of 74 out of 100, indicating a generally good performance with some noted issues. Common problems reported by owners include service brakes and electrical system concerns, particularly in the 2018 and 2019 models, with varying severity.
Common Buick Problems
Top complaint categories across all Buick models, based on owner-reported issues to NHTSA.
Buick by Category
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are Buick cars reliable?
- Buick vehicles have an average reliability score of 77/100 ("Good") across 7 models and 9 years in our database. Buick offers generally reliable vehicles, though reliability varies across models and years.
- What is the most reliable Buick?
- Based on our data, the highest-scoring Buick model-year is the 2025 Buick Envision at 82/100. Scores can change as new recalls and complaints are filed. See our full Buick reliability rankings for the latest data.
- How much does it cost to maintain a Buick?
- Annual repair costs for Buick models range from $466 to $573 based on independent reliability data. Costs vary significantly by model and year.
- Which Buick models should I avoid?
- Based on our data, these Buick models are statistical outliers within their model lines: 2020 Encore GX (70/100), 2020 Enclave (68/100). These have higher recall counts or complaint volumes relative to their siblings.
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases via vehicles.dev. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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