Is the Buick Envision more reliable than the Dodge Journey?

Based on our data, the Buick Envision is more reliable with an average score of 77/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Buick Envision or the Dodge Journey?

The Dodge Journey has more recalls (8) compared to the Buick Envision (6). 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 Envision or the Dodge Journey?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Envision has a lower complaint rate at 4.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 18 for the Dodge Journey. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Buick Envision or the Dodge Journey?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Dodge Journey is cheaper to maintain at $562/year versus $573/year for the Buick Envision.

Is the Buick Envision or Dodge Journey safer?

Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Buick Envision has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Dodge Journey. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

Buick Envision vs Dodge Journey: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Buick Envision

Good

Dodge Journey

Good

Choosing between the Buick Envision and the Dodge Journey? 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 Envision currently leads with an average score of 77/100 compared to 74/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Buick Envision and Dodge Journey Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Buick Envision is in its second generation, which began in 2021 and received a facelift in 2024. This places it in the middle of its generation cycle, typically when manufacturers have addressed early production issues, potentially enhancing reliability. The first generation of the Envision spanned from 2016 to 2020, with a 2019 facelift, indicating a history of updates and refinements. In contrast, the Dodge Journey remained in its first generation from 2009 to 2020, with a facelift in 2011. This extended generation cycle allowed Dodge to iron out initial issues, resulting in a more mature and reliable platform over time. The Journey's long production run suggests a well-sorted vehicle by the end of its cycle.

Verdict

The Buick Envision is more reliable than the Dodge Journey, scoring 77/100 vs 74/100.

The Dodge Journey slightly edges out the Buick Envision in reliability with an average score of 78 compared to Envision's 77. However, the Journey's higher owner complaints rate of 16.8 per 10,000 units versus the Envision’s 4.9 suggests more frequent issues experienced by owners. Both vehicles have similar estimated annual repair costs, with the Journey at $562 and the Envision at $573, but the Envision's lower complaint rate and fewer recalls over a longer production period may appeal to those prioritizing fewer reported issues. Overall, the Buick Envision offers a marginally better reliability profile due to its lower complaint frequency and recall history.

Key Differences

1Buick Envision has 13.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
2Dodge Journey costs $11 less per year to repair
3Buick Envision scores 3 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

4Buick Envision

—

2Dodge Journey

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencySafety Rating

Buick Envision vs Dodge Journey: Which Is More Reliable?

Buick Envision vs Dodge Journey at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Buick Envision	Dodge Journey
Reliability Score	77/100	74/100
Years Tracked	9	3
Total Recalls	6	8
Complaints per 10k Sold	4.9	18
Annual Repair Cost	$573/yr	$562/yr
Repair Frequency	0.4/yr	0.3/yr
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2020 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	2 (1 tied)	0 (1 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Envision and Dodge Journey?

The Buick Envision and Dodge Journey exhibit distinct problem profiles in terms of reliability and safety concerns. The Envision has a notable focus on issues with the electrical system and power train, with the latter having a single crash-linked complaint. In contrast, the Dodge Journey shows a higher volume of complaints overall, with significant numbers related to the electrical system and a notable amount of crash-linked air bag issues, suggesting a heightened safety concern. While both vehicles share problems in categories like service brakes and engines, the Journey's higher frequency of electrical and air bag complaints, including crash-linked incidents, highlights potential areas for further scrutiny.

Buick Envision vs Dodge Journey common problem areas comparison
Component	Buick Envision	Dodge Journey
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.9Very Low	4.6Average
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.4Very Low	2.9Low
POWER TRAIN	0.6Very Low	1.2Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.5Very Low	0.9Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	0.1Very Low	1.2Low
ENGINE	0.4Very Low	0.8Very Low
STEERING	0.3Very Low	0.8Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.3Very Low	0.8Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	1.1Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	0.5Very Low
TIRES	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
SUSPENSION	0.2Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	0.2Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	0.1Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
SEATS	—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 Envision or Dodge Journey?

The Buick Envision has an annual repair cost of $573 and averages 0.4 repair visits per year. In contrast, the Dodge Journey costs slightly less at $562 annually, with a lower repair frequency of 0.3 visits per year. Over five years, the Envision's repair costs total $2,865, while the Journey's amount to $2,810, a modest $55 savings. However, the Journey carries a 12% risk of major repairs, which could lead to significant additional expenses. For cost-conscious buyers, the Buick Envision offers better value due to its lower risk of major repairs, despite its slightly higher annual repair cost.

How Does Buick Envision vs Dodge Journey Reliability Compare by Year?

Buick Envision vs Dodge Journey year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Buick Envision	Dodge Journey	Edge
2020	78/1000R / 10C	77/1001R / 61C	Buick Envision
2019	78/1000R / 23C	78/1001R / 92C	Tie
2018	78/1000R / 13C	68/1006R / 223C	Buick Envision

Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Buick Envision scored 78/100 and the 2019 Dodge Journey scored 78/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Buick Envision vs the Dodge Journey?

If you prioritize peace of mind with fewer owner complaints, the Buick Envision might be your best bet. With only 4.9 complaints per 10,000 sold and a repair frequency of 0.4 times per year, it offers a relatively smooth ownership experience. The Envision has faced fewer recalls than the Journey, with six to the Journey's eight, suggesting slightly better initial quality control. However, be mindful of common issues like the electrical system and power train. On the other hand, if keeping annual repair costs slightly lower is your priority, consider the Dodge Journey, which has an estimated annual repair cost of $562 compared to the Envision's $573. Despite a higher complaint rate of 16.8 per 10,000 sold, the Journey has a lower repair frequency of 0.3 times per year. However, the 12% major repair risk is a factor to consider if you prefer minimizing potential large expenses. Choose the Journey if cost is your main concern, but be prepared for more frequent minor issues.

Buick Envision vs Dodge Journey: Common Questions

Is the Buick Envision more reliable than the Dodge Journey?: Based on our data, the Buick Envision is more reliable with an average score of 77/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Buick Envision or the Dodge Journey?: The Dodge Journey has more recalls (8) compared to the Buick Envision (6). 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 Envision or the Dodge Journey?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Envision has a lower complaint rate at 4.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 18 for the Dodge Journey. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Buick Envision or the Dodge Journey?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Dodge Journey is cheaper to maintain at $562/year versus $573/year for the Buick Envision.
Is the Buick Envision or Dodge Journey safer?: Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Buick Envision has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Dodge Journey. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.

More Buick Envision comparisons

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More Dodge Journey comparisons

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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.

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