Last updated: 2026-05-15
Buick Enclave vs Honda Pilot: Reliability Compared
Buick Enclave
Honda Pilot
Choosing between the Buick Enclave and the Honda Pilot? 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 75/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Buick Enclave and Honda Pilot Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Buick Enclave is more reliable than the Honda Pilot, scoring 75/100 vs 66/100.
The Buick Enclave outperforms the Honda Pilot in reliability, with an average score of 75/100 compared to the Pilot's 66/100. The Enclave also has a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 2.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus the Pilot's 9.1, alongside a more favorable recall history of just 10 recalls over nine years compared to the Pilot's 51. While repair cost data for the Enclave is unavailable, the Pilot's estimated annual repair cost of $542 does not offset its higher propensity for issues. Overall, the Enclave's robust reliability metrics make it the preferable choice for those prioritizing fewer issues and recalls.
Key Differences
- 1Buick Enclave has 41 fewer total recalls
- 2Buick Enclave scores 9 points higher in reliability
- 3Buick Enclave has 6.5 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Buick Enclave vs Honda Pilot: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Buick Enclave | Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 75/100 | 66/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 10 | 51 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 2.6 | 9.1 |
| Year Wins | 8 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Enclave and Honda Pilot?
The Honda Pilot exhibits a notably higher number of complaints across most categories compared to the Buick Enclave, with significant issues in the electrical system, which accounts for 632 complaints, including 7 linked to crashes. In contrast, the Buick Enclave has a lower overall complaint volume, with the electrical system also being the most reported issue but with only 39 complaints and 2 crash-linked incidents. The Pilot's service brakes category, with 76 complaints and 9 crash-linked, indicates a potential area of concern compared to the Enclave's 34 complaints and 3 crash-linked incidents in the same category. The data suggests that while both vehicles experience electrical and service brake issues, the Honda Pilot's problems are more frequent and severe, especially in terms of crash linkage.
| Component | Buick Enclave | Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.4Very Low | 2.4Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.4Very Low | 0.9Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.3Very Low | 1Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.3Very Low | 1Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.4Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | 0.6Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.6Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —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 Honda Pilot?
How Does Buick Enclave vs Honda Pilot Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Buick Enclave | Honda Pilot | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 77/1000R / 31C | 71/1004R / 111C | Buick Enclave |
| 2024 | 77/1000R / 7C | 72/1006R / 82C | Buick Enclave |
| 2023 | 79/1000R / 17C | 72/1005R / 93C | Buick Enclave |
| 2022 | 76/1001R / 12C | 72/1003R / 105C | Buick Enclave |
| 2021 | 75/1002R / 21C | 63/1008R / 358C | Buick Enclave |
| 2020 | 68/1006R / 48C | 60/1009R / 431C | Buick Enclave |
| 2019 | 75/1001R / 38C | 56/10011R / 794C | Buick Enclave |
| 2018 | 75/1000R / 60C | 63/1005R / 408C | Buick Enclave |
| 2026(predicted) | 78/100(predicted) | 72/100(predicted) | Buick Enclave |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Buick Enclave scored 79/100 and the 2024 Honda Pilot scored 72/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Buick Enclave vs the Honda Pilot?
Buick Enclave vs Honda Pilot: Common Questions
- Is the Buick Enclave more reliable than the Honda Pilot?
- Based on our data, the Buick Enclave is more reliable with an average score of 75/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Buick Enclave or the Honda Pilot?
- The Honda Pilot has more recalls (51) 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 Honda Pilot?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Enclave has a lower complaint rate at 2.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 9.1 for the Honda Pilot. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Buick Enclave and Honda Pilot? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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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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