Is the Buick Enclave more reliable than the KIA Telluride?

Based on our data, the Buick Enclave is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Buick Enclave or the KIA Telluride?

The KIA Telluride has more recalls (27) 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 KIA Telluride?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Enclave has a lower complaint rate at 2.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 23.3 for the KIA Telluride. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-07-17

Buick Enclave vs KIA Telluride: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Buick Enclave

Good

KIA Telluride

Good

Choosing between the Buick Enclave and the KIA Telluride? 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 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Buick Enclave and KIA Telluride Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the KIA Telluride is in its first generation, which began in 2020 and received a notable facelift in 2023. Being late in its generation cycle, the Telluride benefits from a mature platform, likely enhancing its reliability as initial issues typically get resolved over time. The Buick Enclave is in its third generation, which started in 2025, following its second generation from 2018 to 2024, with a facelift in 2022. The current Enclave is early in its generation cycle, which may mean it could encounter initial teething problems often seen in newly redesigned models. Generally, vehicles in mature stages of their generation, like the Telluride, are more likely to have sorted out reliability concerns compared to newer models like the Enclave.

Verdict

The Buick Enclave is more reliable than the KIA Telluride, scoring 76/100 vs 66/100.

The Buick Enclave outperforms the KIA Telluride in terms of reliability, with a higher average reliability score of 75/100 compared to the Telluride's 66/100. The Enclave has experienced significantly fewer recalls, with only 10 over nine years, while the Telluride has had 27 in six years. Additionally, the Enclave's owner complaint rate is much lower at 2.6 per 10,000 sold, versus the Telluride's 23.3. Although both vehicles share some common issues like electrical system and engine problems, the Telluride's higher estimated annual repair cost of $573 further underscores the Enclave's superior reliability profile.

Key Differences

1Buick Enclave has 20.7 fewer complaints per 10k sold
2Buick Enclave has 17 fewer total recalls
3Buick Enclave scores 10 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

3Buick Enclave

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0KIA Telluride

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Buick Enclave vs KIA Telluride: Which Is More Reliable?

Buick Enclave vs KIA Telluride at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Buick Enclave	KIA Telluride
Reliability Score	76/100	66/100
Years Tracked	9	6
Total Recalls	10	27
Complaints per 10k Sold	2.6	23.3
Year Wins	5	1

What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Enclave and KIA Telluride?

The KIA Telluride has a significantly higher total number of complaints compared to the Buick Enclave, with 1,600 versus 234 complaints, respectively. The most prevalent issues for the Telluride involve the categories of "UNKNOWN OR OTHER" and "VISIBILITY/WIPER," while the Enclave's most common issues are tied to the "ELECTRICAL SYSTEM" and "POWER TRAIN." Notably, the Telluride has a higher incidence of crash-linked complaints, especially in the "SERVICE BRAKES" category with six incidents, compared to the Enclave's three crash-linked complaints in both "POWER TRAIN" and "SERVICE BRAKES." The Telluride's more frequent and varied issues suggest a broader range of reliability concerns compared to the more focused problem profile of the Enclave.

Buick Enclave vs KIA Telluride common problem areas comparison
Component	Buick Enclave	KIA Telluride
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.3Very Low	4.4Average
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	4.2Average
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.4Very Low	2.8Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	2.5Low
ENGINE	0.3Very Low	1.9Low
POWER TRAIN	0.4Very Low	1.7Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.4Very Low	0.5Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	0.9Very Low
STEERING	0.1Very Low	0.3Very Low
VISIBILITY	—None	0.3Very Low
SUSPENSION	—None	0.3Very Low
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
AIR BAGS	—None	0.2Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.2Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	0.2Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	—None
SEATS	—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 KIA Telluride?

Independent repair cost data indicates that the KIA Telluride has an annual repair cost of $573 and requires maintenance visits approximately 0.4 times per year. This suggests a lower frequency of repairs compared to some competitors, translating to fewer disruptions for owners. Although specific data for the Buick Enclave is unavailable, the Telluride's predictable costs and lower visit frequency make it an appealing option for cost-conscious buyers. Without detailed information on the Enclave's repair costs and frequency, the Telluride emerges as a more reliable choice for those prioritizing predictable maintenance expenses. Over five years, the Telluride's repair costs amount to about $2,865, offering a clear financial picture for prospective owners.

How Does Buick Enclave vs KIA Telluride Reliability Compare by Year?

Buick Enclave vs KIA Telluride year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Buick Enclave	KIA Telluride	Edge
2025	77/1000R / 31C	78/1002R / 32C	KIA Telluride
2024	77/1000R / 7C	69/1004R / 180C	Buick Enclave
2023	79/1000R / 17C	68/1005R / 161C	Buick Enclave
2022	76/1001R / 12C	63/1006R / 280C	Buick Enclave
2021	75/1002R / 21C	63/1004R / 280C	Buick Enclave
2020	68/1006R / 48C	55/1006R / 667C	Buick Enclave

Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Buick Enclave scored 79/100 and the 2025 KIA Telluride scored 78/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Buick Enclave vs the KIA Telluride?

If you prioritize reliability and fewer headaches from recalls and complaints, the Buick Enclave might be the better choice for you. With a higher reliability score of 75/100, only 10 total recalls, and just 2.6 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, the Enclave offers peace of mind. This is particularly appealing if you want to minimize potential time spent dealing with service issues. On the other hand, if you're focused on keeping your annual repair costs predictable, the KIA Telluride could be more suitable. Although it has a lower reliability score of 66/100 and a higher number of recalls at 27, independent estimates suggest its annual repair costs are around $573, which might be appealing if you prefer having a clear idea of maintenance expenses. Ultimately, choose the Enclave if reliability is your top priority, but consider the Telluride if managing predictable repair costs is more important to you.

Buick Enclave vs KIA Telluride: Common Questions

Is the Buick Enclave more reliable than the KIA Telluride?: Based on our data, the Buick Enclave is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Buick Enclave or the KIA Telluride?: The KIA Telluride has more recalls (27) 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 KIA Telluride?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Enclave has a lower complaint rate at 2.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 23.3 for the KIA Telluride. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More Buick Enclave comparisons

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More KIA Telluride 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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