Last updated: 2026-07-26
Buick Encore vs Jeep Renegade: Reliability Compared
Buick Encore
Jeep Renegade
Choosing between the Buick Encore and the Jeep Renegade? 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 74/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Buick Encore and Jeep Renegade Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Buick Encore is more reliable than the Jeep Renegade, scoring 79/100 vs 74/100.
The Buick Encore demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Jeep Renegade, with an average reliability score of 82/100 versus the Renegade's 74/100. The Encore also has a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 1.3 per 10,000 units, compared to the Renegade's 20.4, and has experienced only 4 recalls in 8 years, while the Renegade has had 15 in 6 years. Additionally, the Encore's estimated annual repair cost is slightly lower at $466 compared to the Renegade's $498. These factors suggest the Encore is a more reliable choice in the compact SUV segment.
Key Differences
- 1Buick Encore costs $32 less per year to repair
- 2Buick Encore has 13.5 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Buick Encore has 11 fewer total recalls
Category Scoreboard
Buick Encore vs Jeep Renegade: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Buick Encore | Jeep Renegade |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 79/100 | 74/100 |
| Years Tracked | 5 | 6 |
| Total Recalls | 4 | 15 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 6.9 | 20.4 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $466/yr | $498/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.1/yr | 0.2/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 12% | 9% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2022 NHTSA | 2023 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 5 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Encore and Jeep Renegade?
The Jeep Renegade exhibits a higher volume of complaints, particularly in the electrical system and engine categories, with 185 and 129 complaints respectively, and a notable issue with air bags linked to 21 crashes. In contrast, the Buick Encore has significantly fewer total complaints, with the highest concentration in the engine and power train areas. Both models share concerns in the power train and air bags, but the Renegade's air bag problems are more severe, given the higher crash-linked incidents. Overall, while both vehicles have crash-linked air bag issues, the Renegade's broader range of problem areas, especially in safety-related components, distinguishes its profile.
| Component | Buick Encore | Jeep Renegade |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.7Very Low | 5.5Average |
| ENGINE | 1.5Low | 3.8Average |
| POWER TRAIN | 1Very Low | 2.5Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.4Very Low | 2.8Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.7Very Low | 0.9Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.9Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.4Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.3Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| TIRES | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —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 Jeep Renegade?
How Does Buick Encore vs Jeep Renegade Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Buick Encore | Jeep Renegade | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 80/1000R / 8C | 76/1002R / 24C | Buick Encore |
| 2021 | 80/1000R / 9C | 75/1002R / 64C | Buick Encore |
| 2020 | 77/1002R / 19C | 75/1003R / 62C | Buick Encore |
| 2019 | 76/1002R / 82C | 75/1004R / 77C | Buick Encore |
| 2018 | 80/1000R / 72C | 65/1002R / 440C | Buick Encore |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 Buick Encore scored 80/100 and the 2022 Jeep Renegade scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Buick Encore vs the Jeep Renegade?
Buick Encore vs Jeep Renegade: Common Questions
- Is the Buick Encore more reliable than the Jeep Renegade?
- Based on our data, the Buick Encore is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Buick Encore or the Jeep Renegade?
- The Jeep Renegade has more recalls (15) 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 Jeep Renegade?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Encore has a lower complaint rate at 6.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 20.4 for the Jeep Renegade. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Buick Encore or the Jeep Renegade?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Buick Encore is cheaper to maintain at $466/year versus $498/year for the Jeep Renegade.
- Is the Buick Encore or Jeep Renegade 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 Jeep Renegade. 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 Jeep Renegade? 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