Last updated: 2026-07-26
Buick Encore vs Ford Ecosport: Reliability Compared
Buick Encore
Ford Ecosport
Choosing between the Buick Encore and the Ford Ecosport? 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 compact suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Buick Encore currently leads with an average score of 79/100 compared to 61/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Buick Encore and Ford Ecosport Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Buick Encore is more reliable than the Ford Ecosport, scoring 79/100 vs 61/100.
The Buick Encore outshines the Ford Ecosport in reliability, with an average score of 79/100 compared to the Ecosport's 61/100. The Encore has significantly fewer recalls over five years (4 vs. 12) and a lower owner complaint rate of 6.9 per 10,000 sold, while the Ecosport registers at 73.7. Additionally, the Encore's estimated annual repair cost is more budget-friendly at $466, compared to the Ecosport's $775. These factors make the Buick Encore a more dependable choice for compact SUV buyers.
Key Differences
- 1Buick Encore costs $309 less per year to repair
- 2Buick Encore has 66.8 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Buick Encore scores 18 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Buick Encore vs Ford Ecosport: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Buick Encore | Ford Ecosport |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 79/100 | 61/100 |
| Years Tracked | 5 | 5 |
| Total Recalls | 4 | 12 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 6.9 | 73.7 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $466/yr | $775/yr |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2022 NHTSA | 2022 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 5 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Encore and Ford Ecosport?
The Buick Encore, with 190 total complaints, shows a concentration of issues in the engine and power train categories, with significant safety concerns in the air bags category, having 11 of its 19 air bag complaints linked to crashes. In contrast, the Ford Ecosport has a much higher total complaint count of 1826, predominantly in the engine and engine cooling category, which accounts for nearly half of all its complaints. The Ecosport also has a notable number of crash-linked complaints in the air bags category, with 14 out of 22 complaints associated with crashes. While both models experience engine-related issues, the Ecosport's higher volume of complaints across multiple categories, especially in engine and cooling, suggests broader reliability challenges.
| Component | Buick Encore | Ford Ecosport |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.3Very Low | 33.1High |
| ENGINE | 1.5Low | 20.2High |
| POWER TRAIN | 1Very Low | 7.2Above Avg |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.4Very Low | 3.6Average |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.7Very Low | 2.1Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.4Very Low | 1.3Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.7Very Low | 0.9Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | 1Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.3Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Buick Encore or Ford Ecosport?
How Does Buick Encore vs Ford Ecosport Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Buick Encore | Ford Ecosport | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 80/1000R / 8C | 74/1002R / 10C | Buick Encore |
| 2021 | 80/1000R / 9C | 60/1003R / 255C | Buick Encore |
| 2020 | 77/1002R / 19C | 58/1003R / 390C | Buick Encore |
| 2019 | 76/1002R / 82C | 58/1002R / 451C | Buick Encore |
| 2018 | 80/1000R / 72C | 56/1002R / 720C | Buick Encore |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 Buick Encore scored 80/100 and the 2022 Ford Ecosport scored 74/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Buick Encore vs the Ford Ecosport?
Buick Encore vs Ford Ecosport: Common Questions
- Is the Buick Encore more reliable than the Ford Ecosport?
- Based on our data, the Buick Encore is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 61/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
- Which has more recalls, the Buick Encore or the Ford Ecosport?
- The Ford Ecosport has more recalls (12) compared to the Buick Encore (4). 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 Encore or the Ford Ecosport?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Encore has a lower complaint rate at 6.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 73.7 for the Ford Ecosport. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Buick Encore or the Ford Ecosport?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Buick Encore is cheaper to maintain at $466/year versus $775/year for the Ford Ecosport.
- Is the Buick Encore or Ford Ecosport safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Buick Encore has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Ford Ecosport. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Buick Encore and Ford Ecosport? 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.
See incorrect data? Report an issue