Is the Buick Encore more reliable than the Honda HR-V?

Based on our data, the Honda HR-V is more reliable with an average score of 83/100 compared to 79/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Buick Encore or the Honda HR-V?

The Honda HR-V has more recalls (27) 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 Honda HR-V?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Encore has a lower complaint rate at 6.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 11.3 for the Honda HR-V. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Buick Encore or the Honda HR-V?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda HR-V is cheaper to maintain at $301/year versus $466/year for the Buick Encore.

Is the Buick Encore or Honda HR-V safer?

Both the Buick Encore and Honda HR-V received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

Buick Encore vs Honda HR-V: Reliability Compared

Buick Encore

Good

More Reliable

Honda HR-V

Excellent

Choosing between the Buick Encore and the Honda HR-V? 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 Honda HR-V currently leads with an average score of 83/100 compared to 79/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Buick Encore and Honda HR-V Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Honda HR-V is in its third generation, which began in 2023. This generation is still relatively new, and as is common with newer platforms, it may experience some first-year issues as it settles into the market. The previous second generation, running from 2016 to 2022, included a mid-cycle refresh in 2019, which typically helps iron out earlier kinks, enhancing reliability. In contrast, the Buick Encore's first generation spanned from 2013 to 2022, with a refresh in 2017. This lengthy run allowed the model to mature, potentially leading to more reliable performance as any initial issues were addressed over time. The Encore's later years likely benefited from this well-sorted platform.

Verdict

The Honda HR-V is more reliable than the Buick Encore, scoring 83/100 vs 79/100.

The Honda HR-V surpasses the Buick Encore in reliability with an average score of 83/100 compared to the Encore's 79/100. While the HR-V has a higher total recall count at 27 over nine years, its owner complaint rate stands at 11.3 per 10,000 sold, slightly higher than the Encore's 6.9, but the HR-V benefits from a significantly lower estimated annual repair cost of $301 versus the Encore's $466. Common issues with the HR-V focus on visibility and electrical systems, while the Encore faces more severe problems related to the engine and powertrain. Despite the HR-V's higher complaint rate, its lower repair costs and higher reliability score make it the more reliable choice overall.

Key Differences

1Honda HR-V costs $165 less per year to repair
2Buick Encore has 23 fewer total recalls
3Honda HR-V has 7% lower major repair risk

Category Scoreboard

2Buick Encore

—

3Honda HR-V

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Buick Encore vs Honda HR-V: Which Is More Reliable?

Buick Encore vs Honda HR-V at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Buick Encore	Honda HR-V
Reliability Score	79/100	83/100
Years Tracked	5	9
Total Recalls	4	27
Complaints per 10k Sold	6.9	11.3
Annual Repair Cost	$466/yr	$301/yr
Repair Frequency	0.1/yr	0.1/yr
Major Repair Risk	12%	5%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2022 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	2	3

What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Encore and Honda HR-V?

The Honda HR-V exhibits a higher total volume of complaints, with visibility and wiper issues being the most prevalent. Notably, the HR-V's steering category has a significant number of crash-linked complaints (13), indicating a potential safety concern. In contrast, the Buick Encore has fewer overall complaints, but a considerable proportion of its airbag issues are crash-linked (11), suggesting a critical safety vulnerability. While both models have electrical system complaints, the HR-V's volume is substantially higher, yet the Encore's airbag-related safety issues may pose a more immediate risk in terms of crash consequences.

Buick Encore vs Honda HR-V common problem areas comparison
Component	Buick Encore	Honda HR-V
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.4Very Low	2Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	2.3Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.7Very Low	1.5Low
ENGINE	1.5Low	0.1Very Low
STEERING	0.3Very Low	1.2Low
POWER TRAIN	1Very Low	0.4Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.7Very Low	0.3Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.4Very Low	0.3Very Low
VISIBILITY	—None	0.7Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	0.7Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.2Very Low	0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.3Very Low	—None
STRUCTURE	—None	0.3Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.2Very Low
SUSPENSION	0.1Very Low	—None
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	0.1Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	0.1Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Buick Encore or Honda HR-V?

Independent repair cost data suggests that the Honda HR-V is a more economical choice for maintenance and repairs compared to the Buick Encore. With an annual repair cost of $301, the HR-V is $165 cheaper per year than the Encore, translating to an $825 savings over five years. Both vehicles have a similar repair frequency of 0.1 visits per year, indicating reliability in terms of needing repairs. However, the HR-V has a significantly lower major repair risk at 5%, as opposed to the Encore's 12%. For cost-conscious buyers, the HR-V offers better value by minimizing both annual expenses and the likelihood of costly major repairs.

How Does Buick Encore vs Honda HR-V Reliability Compare by Year?

Buick Encore vs Honda HR-V year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Buick Encore	Honda HR-V	Edge
2022	80/1000R / 8C	83/1003R / 62C	Honda HR-V
2021	80/1000R / 9C	86/1003R / 52C	Honda HR-V
2020	77/1002R / 19C	80/1004R / 71C	Honda HR-V
2019	76/1002R / 82C	75/1006R / 185C	Buick Encore
2018	80/1000R / 72C	78/1003R / 141C	Buick Encore

Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 Buick Encore scored 80/100 and the 2021 Honda HR-V scored 86/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Buick Encore vs the Honda HR-V?

If you prioritize low running costs and reliability, the Honda HR-V is an excellent choice. With a reliability score of 83/100, it offers a strong track record. The estimated annual repair cost is just $301, and the major repair risk is only 5%. Despite having 27 recalls, the HR-V has fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold (11.3), indicating a generally positive ownership experience. However, be aware of potential issues with visibility and the electrical system. If you prefer fewer recalls and can handle slightly higher repair costs, consider the Buick Encore. With only 4 recalls and a lower complaint rate of 6.9 per 10,000 sold, the Encore could appeal to those who value peace of mind. However, keep in mind the higher estimated annual repair cost of $466 and a 12% risk of major repairs. The Encore's most common issues involve the engine and powertrain, which might influence your decision if these are critical areas for you.

Buick Encore vs Honda HR-V: Common Questions

Is the Buick Encore more reliable than the Honda HR-V?: Based on our data, the Honda HR-V is more reliable with an average score of 83/100 compared to 79/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Buick Encore or the Honda HR-V?: The Honda HR-V has more recalls (27) 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 Honda HR-V?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Encore has a lower complaint rate at 6.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 11.3 for the Honda HR-V. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Buick Encore or the Honda HR-V?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda HR-V is cheaper to maintain at $301/year versus $466/year for the Buick Encore.
Is the Buick Encore or Honda HR-V safer?: Both the Buick Encore and Honda HR-V received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

More Buick Encore comparisons

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More Honda HR-V comparisons

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Decided between Buick Encore and Honda HR-V? 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 via vehicles.dev. 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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