Last updated: 2026-07-26
Buick Encore vs Toyota C-HR: Reliability Compared
Buick Encore
Toyota C-HR
Choosing between the Buick Encore and the Toyota C-HR? 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 Toyota C-HR Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Buick Encore is more reliable than the Toyota C-HR, scoring 79/100 vs 74/100.
The Buick Encore edges out the Toyota C-HR in reliability, with a slightly higher average reliability score of 79/100 compared to the C-HR's 76/100. The Encore also boasts a lower owner complaint rate of 6.9 per 10,000 units versus the C-HR's 25.6, indicating fewer issues per vehicle sold. While both models have competitive estimated annual repair costs, with the Encore at $466 and the C-HR at $441, the Encore's fewer complaints and recalls over five years make it the more reliable choice in this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota C-HR costs $25 less per year to repair
- 2Buick Encore has 18.7 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Buick Encore scores 5 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Buick Encore vs Toyota C-HR: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Buick Encore | Toyota C-HR |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 79/100 | 74/100 |
| Years Tracked | 5 | 5 |
| Total Recalls | 4 | 6 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 6.9 | 25.6 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $466/yr | $441/yr |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2022 NHTSA | 2022 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 4 (1 tied) | 0 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Encore and Toyota C-HR?
The Buick Encore and Toyota C-HR exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the C-HR showing a significantly higher number of total complaints, particularly in the power train category, accounting for 305 issues and 4 crash-linked incidents. The Encore, while having fewer complaints overall, has a notable concentration in engine-related issues (40 complaints) and air bags, with 11 of the 19 air bag complaints being crash-linked, indicating a potential safety concern. In contrast, the C-HR's air bag complaints are fewer but all are crash-linked, suggesting a serious though less frequent issue. Both vehicles have relatively low complaints in electrical systems and steering, but the Encore's air bag and power train problems highlight areas of concern that are less pronounced in the C-HR.
| Component | Buick Encore | Toyota C-HR |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 1Very Low | 16High |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.4Very Low | 3.3Average |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.7Very Low | 1.8Low |
| ENGINE | 1.5Low | 0.9Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.7Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.4Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.3Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| PARKING BRAKE | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| 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 Toyota C-HR?
How Does Buick Encore vs Toyota C-HR Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Buick Encore | Toyota C-HR | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 80/1000R / 8C | 80/1000R / 2C | Tie |
| 2021 | 80/1000R / 9C | 77/1001R / 32C | Buick Encore |
| 2020 | 77/1002R / 19C | 76/1001R / 55C | Buick Encore |
| 2019 | 76/1002R / 82C | 70/1003R / 101C | Buick Encore |
| 2018 | 80/1000R / 72C | 66/1001R / 296C | Buick Encore |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 Buick Encore scored 80/100 and the 2022 Toyota C-HR scored 80/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Buick Encore vs the Toyota C-HR?
Buick Encore vs Toyota C-HR: Common Questions
- Is the Buick Encore more reliable than the Toyota C-HR?
- 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 Toyota C-HR?
- The Toyota C-HR has more recalls (6) 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 Toyota C-HR?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Encore has a lower complaint rate at 6.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 25.6 for the Toyota C-HR. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Buick Encore or the Toyota C-HR?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota C-HR is cheaper to maintain at $441/year versus $466/year for the Buick Encore.
- Is the Buick Encore or Toyota C-HR 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 Toyota C-HR. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Buick Encore comparisons
Decided between Buick Encore and Toyota C-HR? 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