Is the Buick Enclave more reliable than the Ford Explorer?

Based on our data, the Buick Enclave is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 67/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Buick Enclave or the Ford Explorer?

The Ford Explorer has more recalls (117) compared to the Buick Enclave (10). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Buick Enclave or the Ford Explorer?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Enclave has a lower complaint rate at 2.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 6.8 for the Ford Explorer. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-07-17

Buick Enclave vs Ford Explorer: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Buick Enclave

Good

Ford Explorer

Good

Choosing between the Buick Enclave and the Ford Explorer? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Buick Enclave currently leads with an average score of 76/100 compared to 67/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Buick Enclave and Ford Explorer Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Ford Explorer is in its sixth generation, which launched in 2020. Being relatively early in its lifecycle, potential buyers should be aware that newer platforms can sometimes experience first-year issues as manufacturers work out initial bugs. In contrast, the Buick Enclave is in its third generation, introduced in 2025. It's also in the early stages of its generation, where teething problems may occur. The previous Enclave generation, lasting from 2018 to 2024, received a significant refresh in 2022, which likely addressed earlier issues, offering a more refined experience. Generally, mature platforms, like the Explorer's fifth generation, tend to be more reliable due to refinement over time.

Verdict

The Buick Enclave is more reliable than the Ford Explorer, scoring 76/100 vs 67/100.

The Buick Enclave demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Ford Explorer, with a higher average reliability score of 75/100 versus 66/100 for the Explorer. The Enclave also has significantly fewer recalls, totaling just 10 over nine years, compared to the Explorer's 117. Owner complaints per 10,000 vehicles sold further highlight this reliability gap, with the Enclave at 2.6 and the Explorer at 6.8. While both vehicles share common issues like power train and electrical system problems, the Explorer's higher estimated annual repair cost of $732 contributes to its less favorable reliability profile.

Key Differences

1Buick Enclave has 107 fewer total recalls
2Buick Enclave scores 9 points higher in reliability
3Buick Enclave has 4.2 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

3Buick Enclave

—

0Ford Explorer

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Buick Enclave vs Ford Explorer: Which Is More Reliable?

Buick Enclave vs Ford Explorer at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Buick Enclave	Ford Explorer
Reliability Score	76/100	67/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	10	117
Complaints per 10k Sold	2.6	6.8
Year Wins	9	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Enclave and Ford Explorer?

The Ford Explorer exhibits a higher volume of complaints, with significant issues in the power train and structure categories, both of which have numerous crash-linked incidents. Notably, the Explorer's power train complaints are more than double those of the Buick Enclave, suggesting a critical area of concern. In contrast, the Buick Enclave, while having fewer total complaints, shows a relatively balanced distribution of issues, with the electrical system and power train being the most reported. Both models have crash-linked complaints in the power train and service brakes categories, but the Explorer's overall higher numbers, particularly in crash-linked incidents, indicate a greater reliability challenge.

Buick Enclave vs Ford Explorer common problem areas comparison
Component	Buick Enclave	Ford Explorer
POWER TRAIN	0.4Very Low	1.6Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.3Very Low	1.1Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.4Very Low	0.7Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	1Very Low
ENGINE	0.3Very Low	0.4Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.4Very Low	0.2Very Low
STEERING	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	0.2Very Low
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	0.1Very Low
SUSPENSION	—None	0.1Very Low
SEATS	—None	0.1Very Low
AIR BAGS	—None	0.1Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Buick Enclave or Ford Explorer?

Independent repair cost data indicates that the Ford Explorer has an annual repair cost of $732, with an average of 0.2 repair visits per year and a 14% risk of needing a major repair. Although specific numbers for the Buick Enclave aren't provided, the Explorer's statistics suggest relatively low repair frequency, which is a positive indicator for cost-conscious buyers. The Explorer's repair frequency translates to a visit every five years on average, and the major repair risk is relatively moderate. Without specific data for the Enclave, the Explorer appears to be a more predictable choice for those looking to manage maintenance costs effectively over time, potentially offering better value for budget-conscious consumers.

How Does Buick Enclave vs Ford Explorer Reliability Compare by Year?

Buick Enclave vs Ford Explorer year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Buick Enclave	Ford Explorer	Edge
2026	81/1000R / 0C	70/1004R / 0C	Buick Enclave
2025	77/1000R / 31C	72/10014R / 65C	Buick Enclave
2024	77/1000R / 7C	73/1006R / 14C	Buick Enclave
2023	79/1000R / 17C	71/10012R / 84C	Buick Enclave
2022	76/1001R / 12C	65/10021R / 208C	Buick Enclave
2021	75/1002R / 21C	62/10022R / 354C	Buick Enclave
2020	68/1006R / 48C	54/10029R / 1066C	Buick Enclave
2019	75/1001R / 38C	69/1004R / 252C	Buick Enclave
2018	75/1000R / 60C	64/1005R / 651C	Buick Enclave

Best years to cross-shop: The 2026 Buick Enclave scored 81/100 and the 2024 Ford Explorer scored 73/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Buick Enclave vs the Ford Explorer?

If you prioritize reliability and peace of mind, consider the Buick Enclave. With a higher reliability score of 75/100 and only 10 total recalls, it offers a more dependable experience. The Enclave also has fewer owner complaints at 2.6 per 10,000 sold, indicating greater customer satisfaction. Its main issues include the electrical system and power train, but with a lower incidence rate, these are less likely to impact your overall ownership experience. For those who are more concerned with upfront costs and don't mind a slightly higher risk of repairs, the Ford Explorer might be suitable. With a reliability score of 66/100 and an estimated annual repair cost of $732, it presents a budget-friendly option. However, its major repair risk stands at 14%, and it has faced 117 recalls, so be prepared for potential maintenance challenges. If you can manage these aspects, the Explorer could be a viable choice for you.

Buick Enclave vs Ford Explorer: Common Questions

Is the Buick Enclave more reliable than the Ford Explorer?: Based on our data, the Buick Enclave is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 67/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Buick Enclave or the Ford Explorer?: The Ford Explorer has more recalls (117) compared to the Buick Enclave (10). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Buick Enclave or the Ford Explorer?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Enclave has a lower complaint rate at 2.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 6.8 for the Ford Explorer. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More Buick Enclave comparisons

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More Ford Explorer comparisons

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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. 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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