Is the Buick Lacrosse more reliable than the Dodge Charger?

Based on our data, the Buick Lacrosse is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Buick Lacrosse or the Dodge Charger?

The Dodge Charger has more recalls (25) compared to the Buick Lacrosse (5). 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 Lacrosse or the Dodge Charger?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Dodge Charger has a lower complaint rate at 2.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 7.9 for the Buick Lacrosse. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Buick Lacrosse or the Dodge Charger?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Buick Lacrosse is cheaper to maintain at $569/year versus $652/year for the Dodge Charger.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

Buick Lacrosse vs Dodge Charger: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Buick Lacrosse

Good

Dodge Charger

Good

Choosing between the Buick Lacrosse and the Dodge Charger? 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 sedans.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Buick Lacrosse currently leads with an average score of 76/100 compared to 74/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Buick Lacrosse and Dodge Charger Generations Compare?

As of July 2026, the Dodge Charger is in its eighth generation, having been redesigned in 2024. This new platform is relatively fresh, and like many new models, it may experience typical first-year issues as manufacturers work out initial kinks. The previous seventh generation spanned from 2011 to 2023, benefiting from a mature platform known for improved reliability over its lifespan, particularly after its 2015 and 2020 facelifts. The Buick Lacrosse, currently in its fourth generation since 2023, is similarly in an early stage of its generation cycle. As with the Dodge Charger, new platforms can sometimes exhibit teething problems, whereas the third generation (2017-2019) was more settled after its 2019 facelift. Thus, buyers seeking reliability might consider models from the latter part of previous generations for both vehicles, as these tend to be more refined and dependable.

Verdict

The Buick Lacrosse is more reliable than the Dodge Charger, scoring 76/100 vs 74/100.

The Buick Lacrosse edges out the Dodge Charger in reliability with a slightly higher average score of 76/100 compared to the Charger's 74/100. Despite its higher complaint rate of 7.9 per 10,000 sold, the Lacrosse benefits from a lower estimated annual repair cost of $569 and only five recalls over two years. The Charger, with 25 recalls across nine years and a lower complaint rate of 2.2 per 10,000, indicates better handling of customer issues. However, the Lacrosse's lower repair costs and fewer recalls suggest it might offer a more dependable ownership experience overall.

Key Differences

1Buick Lacrosse costs $83 less per year to repair
2Buick Lacrosse has 20 fewer total recalls
3Dodge Charger has 5.7 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

4Buick Lacrosse

—

2Dodge Charger

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair Risk

Buick Lacrosse vs Dodge Charger: Which Is More Reliable?

Buick Lacrosse vs Dodge Charger at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Buick Lacrosse	Dodge Charger
Reliability Score	76/100	74/100
Years Tracked	2	9
Total Recalls	5	25
Complaints per 10k Sold	7.9	2.2
Annual Repair Cost	$569/yr	$652/yr
Repair Frequency	0.3/yr	0.2/yr
Major Repair Risk	12%	15%
Year Wins	2	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Lacrosse and Dodge Charger?

The Dodge Charger exhibits a significant number of complaints, with the air bags category leading at 98 complaints, 19 of which are crash-linked, indicating a notable safety concern. Additionally, the Charger has substantial issues with the electrical system and various structural components. In contrast, the Buick Lacrosse reports far fewer complaints overall, with the engine being the most cited issue at just five complaints, and none of these are crash-linked. The Charger’s higher frequency of complaints across multiple critical areas, including crash-linked incidents, suggests a broader range of reliability challenges compared to the more limited issues observed in the Lacrosse.

Buick Lacrosse vs Dodge Charger common problem areas comparison
Component	Buick Lacrosse	Dodge Charger
ENGINE	2.2Low	0.1Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.3Low	0.5Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.3Low	0.2Very Low
POWER TRAIN	0.9Very Low	0.1Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.9Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	—None	0.6Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	0.1Very Low
STEERING	—None	0.1Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	—None	0.1Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	—None
WHEELS	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	—None
VISIBILITY	—None	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Buick Lacrosse or Dodge Charger?

Based on independent repair cost data, the Dodge Charger incurs an annual repair cost of $652, while the Buick Lacrosse is slightly more economical at $569 per year. Over five years, this difference amounts to $415, favoring the Lacrosse. The Charger has a lower repair frequency, needing attention only 0.2 times annually compared to the Lacrosse's 0.3 visits, but it carries a higher major repair risk at 15% versus the Lacrosse's 12%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Buick Lacrosse offers better value, with lower annual costs and a reduced likelihood of major repairs, despite requiring slightly more frequent visits to the repair shop.

How Does Buick Lacrosse vs Dodge Charger Reliability Compare by Year?

Buick Lacrosse vs Dodge Charger year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Buick Lacrosse	Dodge Charger	Edge
2019	76/1002R / 6C	71/1005R / 118C	Buick Lacrosse
2018	75/1003R / 12C	69/1006R / 121C	Buick Lacrosse

Best years to cross-shop: The 2019 Buick Lacrosse scored 76/100 and the 2019 Dodge Charger scored 71/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Buick Lacrosse vs the Dodge Charger?

If you prioritize low running costs and fewer trips to the mechanic, the Buick Lacrosse might be your best bet. With an estimated annual repair cost of $569 and a slightly lower major repair risk of 12%, it offers a more economical ownership experience. Despite having a higher number of owner complaints per 10,000 sold at 7.9, its total recalls stand at only 5, suggesting fewer widespread issues over time. On the other hand, if you want a vehicle with a slightly higher reliability score and fewer owner complaints, the Dodge Charger could be the way to go. With a reliability score of 74 and only 2.2 complaints per 10,000 sold, it generally satisfies its owners. However, be prepared for its 25 total recalls and a higher estimated annual repair cost of $652. This model may appeal more to those who value performance and are willing to manage potential recalls.

Buick Lacrosse vs Dodge Charger: Common Questions

Is the Buick Lacrosse more reliable than the Dodge Charger?: Based on our data, the Buick Lacrosse is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Buick Lacrosse or the Dodge Charger?: The Dodge Charger has more recalls (25) compared to the Buick Lacrosse (5). 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 Lacrosse or the Dodge Charger?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Dodge Charger has a lower complaint rate at 2.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 7.9 for the Buick Lacrosse. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Buick Lacrosse or the Dodge Charger?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Buick Lacrosse is cheaper to maintain at $569/year versus $652/year for the Dodge Charger.

More Buick Lacrosse comparisons

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More Dodge Charger 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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