Last updated: 2026-05-15
Buick Enclave vs Toyota Highlander: Reliability Compared
Buick Enclave
Toyota Highlander
Choosing between the Buick Enclave and the Toyota Highlander? 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 72/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Buick Enclave and Toyota Highlander Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Buick Enclave is more reliable than the Toyota Highlander, scoring 75/100 vs 72/100.
The Buick Enclave edges out the Toyota Highlander in reliability with a higher average reliability score of 75/100 compared to the Highlander's 72/100. The Enclave also benefits from a significantly lower recall count, with just 10 recalls over nine years versus the Highlander's 66. Additionally, the Enclave has fewer owner complaints, with a rate of 2.6 per 10,000 sold compared to the Highlander's 5.8. Although repair cost estimates are unavailable for the Enclave, its lower complaint and recall rates suggest a more reliable ownership experience.
Key Differences
- 1Buick Enclave has 56 fewer total recalls
- 2Buick Enclave has 3.2 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Buick Enclave scores 3 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Buick Enclave vs Toyota Highlander: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Buick Enclave | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 75/100 | 72/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 10 | 66 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 2.6 | 5.8 |
| Year Wins | 7 | 1 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Enclave and Toyota Highlander?
The Toyota Highlander exhibits a higher volume of complaints, particularly in the power train and air bags categories, with 485 and 162 complaints respectively, the latter being notably severe with 41 crash-linked incidents. In contrast, the Buick Enclave has a significantly lower total number of complaints, with its most reported issues being in the electrical system and power train, tallying 39 and 35 complaints respectively. While both vehicles experience problems with service brakes and power train, the Highlander's air bag issues stand out due to their higher crash linkage. The Highlander's broader range of issues across multiple components suggests a more diverse problem profile compared to the more concentrated and less severe complaint distribution in the Enclave.
| Component | Buick Enclave | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 0.4Very Low | 1.5Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.4Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.3Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.4Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.3Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —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 Toyota Highlander?
How Does Buick Enclave vs Toyota Highlander Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Buick Enclave | Toyota Highlander | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 77/1000R / 31C | 76/1008R / 40C | Buick Enclave |
| 2024 | 77/1000R / 7C | 67/10016R / 198C | Buick Enclave |
| 2023 | 79/1000R / 17C | 73/10013R / 140C | Buick Enclave |
| 2022 | 76/1001R / 12C | 74/1007R / 186C | Buick Enclave |
| 2021 | 75/1002R / 21C | 70/1006R / 403C | Buick Enclave |
| 2020 | 68/1006R / 48C | 71/1008R / 269C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2019 | 75/1001R / 38C | 70/1003R / 414C | Buick Enclave |
| 2018 | 75/1000R / 60C | 72/1005R / 242C | 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 2025 Toyota Highlander scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Buick Enclave vs the Toyota Highlander?
Buick Enclave vs Toyota Highlander: Common Questions
- Is the Buick Enclave more reliable than the Toyota Highlander?
- Based on our data, the Buick Enclave is more reliable with an average score of 75/100 compared to 72/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Buick Enclave or the Toyota Highlander?
- The Toyota Highlander has more recalls (66) 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 Toyota Highlander?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Enclave has a lower complaint rate at 2.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 5.8 for the Toyota Highlander. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Buick Enclave comparisons
Decided between Buick Enclave and Toyota Highlander? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
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.
See incorrect data? Report an issue