Is the Buick Enclave more reliable than the Subaru Ascent?

Based on our data, the Buick Enclave is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 69/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Buick Enclave or the Subaru Ascent?

The Subaru Ascent has more recalls (16) 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 Subaru Ascent?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Enclave has a lower complaint rate at 2.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 9.2 for the Subaru Ascent. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

Buick Enclave vs Subaru Ascent: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Buick Enclave

Good

Subaru Ascent

Good

Choosing between the Buick Enclave and the Subaru Ascent? 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 69/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Buick Enclave and Subaru Ascent Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Subaru Ascent is in its second generation, introduced in 2024 following its initial launch in 2019. The first generation received a facelift in 2023, which helped address early issues typical of new models. By the end of its first generation, the Ascent had matured, likely improving reliability. The new second-generation model, however, may experience the typical teething problems associated with brand-new platforms. In contrast, the Buick Enclave is in its third generation, introduced in 2025. The second generation (2018-2024) included a significant refresh in 2022, enhancing its reliability as it matured. The Enclave's first generation, lasting from 2008 to 2017, set a precedent for stability over time. With the third generation still early in its cycle, the Enclave may face initial reliability challenges, similar to those experienced in its past generational shifts.

Verdict

The Buick Enclave is more reliable than the Subaru Ascent, scoring 76/100 vs 69/100.

The Buick Enclave outperforms the Subaru Ascent in reliability, with a higher average reliability score of 75/100 compared to the Ascent's 68/100. The Enclave also has fewer recalls over a longer period, with 10 recalls in nine years versus the Ascent's 16 recalls in seven years. Additionally, the Enclave has a significantly lower owner complaint rate, at 2.6 per 10,000 sold, compared to the Ascent's 9.2. Despite the Enclave's common issues in several areas, its overall reliability metrics make it a more dependable choice than the Ascent.

Key Differences

1Buick Enclave scores 7 points higher in reliability
2Buick Enclave has 6.6 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Buick Enclave has 6 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

3Buick Enclave

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0Subaru Ascent

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Buick Enclave vs Subaru Ascent: Which Is More Reliable?

Buick Enclave vs Subaru Ascent at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Buick Enclave	Subaru Ascent
Reliability Score	76/100	69/100
Years Tracked	9	7
Total Recalls	10	16
Complaints per 10k Sold	2.6	9.2
Year Wins	7	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Enclave and Subaru Ascent?

The Subaru Ascent has a significantly higher total complaint count at 879, but lacks detailed problem categorization, making direct component comparison challenging. In contrast, the Buick Enclave has a more detailed problem profile with 234 total complaints, predominantly in the electrical system (39 complaints, 2 crash-linked), power train (35 complaints, 3 crash-linked), and service brakes (34 complaints, 3 crash-linked). The crash-linked complaints in these critical areas suggest potential safety concerns for the Enclave that are not quantifiable for the Ascent due to the absence of specific data. Overall, the detailed breakdown for the Enclave highlights notable issues in its electrical and power train systems, which may require targeted attention.

Buick Enclave vs Subaru Ascent common problem areas comparison
Component	Buick Enclave	Subaru Ascent
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.4Very Low	—None
POWER TRAIN	0.4Very Low	—None
SERVICE BRAKES	0.4Very Low	—None
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.3Very Low	—None
ENGINE	0.3Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	—None
STEERING	0.1Very Low	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	—None
STRUCTURE	—None	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	—None

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

How Does Buick Enclave vs Subaru Ascent Reliability Compare by Year?

Buick Enclave vs Subaru Ascent year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Buick Enclave	Subaru Ascent	Edge
2026	81/1000R / 0C	76/1000R / 1C	Buick Enclave
2025	77/1000R / 31C	76/1000R / 8C	Buick Enclave
2024	77/1000R / 7C	76/1000R / 43C	Buick Enclave
2023	79/1000R / 17C	71/1003R / 36C	Buick Enclave
2022	76/1001R / 12C	70/1001R / 50C	Buick Enclave
2020	68/1006R / 48C	58/1004R / 310C	Buick Enclave
2019	75/1001R / 38C	55/1008R / 431C	Buick Enclave

Best years to cross-shop: The 2026 Buick Enclave scored 81/100 and the 2026 Subaru Ascent scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Buick Enclave vs the Subaru Ascent?

If you prioritize reliability and fewer recalls, the Buick Enclave might be the better choice for you. With a reliability score of 75/100 and only 10 recalls, it demonstrates a stronger track record than the Subaru Ascent. Additionally, with just 2.6 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, the Enclave tends to have fewer issues reported by owners, making it a potentially more worry-free option. On the other hand, if you prefer a vehicle without specific top issues identified, the Subaru Ascent could still be appealing despite its lower reliability score of 68/100. Although it has experienced 16 recalls and a higher complaint rate of 9.2 per 10,000 sold, the absence of recurring top issues might indicate a broader range of minor concerns rather than significant systemic problems.

Buick Enclave vs Subaru Ascent: Common Questions

Is the Buick Enclave more reliable than the Subaru Ascent?: Based on our data, the Buick Enclave is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 69/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Buick Enclave or the Subaru Ascent?: The Subaru Ascent has more recalls (16) 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 Subaru Ascent?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Enclave has a lower complaint rate at 2.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 9.2 for the Subaru Ascent. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More Buick Enclave comparisons

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More Subaru Ascent 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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