Last updated: 2026-07-26

Buick Lacrosse vs Honda Accord: Reliability Compared

Buick Lacrosse reliability comparison

Buick Lacrosse

76
GoodReliability score: 76 out of 100, rated Good
VS
Honda Accord reliability comparison

Honda Accord

76
GoodReliability score: 76 out of 100, rated Good

Choosing between the Buick Lacrosse and the Honda Accord? 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. Both models currently share an average reliability score of 76/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Buick Lacrosse and Honda Accord Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Honda Accord is in its eleventh generation, which began in 2023. This recent redesign means it is early in its generation cycle, a period when newer platforms can often experience first-year issues as manufacturers work out initial kinks. The previous tenth generation lasted from 2018 to 2022, with a notable facelift in 2020, suggesting a mature, well-sorted platform by the end of its cycle. The Buick Lacrosse, meanwhile, is in its fourth generation, also introduced in 2023. Similar to the Accord, it is in the early stages of its generation, which may impact reliability as any new platform adjustments are made. The third generation, running from 2017 to 2019 with a facelift in 2019, was relatively short, indicating potential design improvements in the current model. Both cars being early in their respective generations suggests buyers might consider potential teething issues.

Verdict

The Buick Lacrosse and Honda Accord are evenly matched with a reliability score of 76/100.

The Honda Accord and Buick Lacrosse both achieve an average reliability score of 76 out of 100, indicating similar overall reliability. However, the Accord has a lower owner complaints rate at 5.7 per 10,000 sold compared to the Lacrosse’s 7.9, suggesting a slight edge in customer satisfaction. Additionally, the Accord benefits from a lower estimated annual repair cost of $400 versus the Lacrosse's $569. While both vehicles share some common issues, the Accord's lower repair costs and fewer complaints per unit sold make it a marginally better choice for reliability-focused buyers.

Key Differences

  1. 1Honda Accord costs $169 less per year to repair
  2. 2Buick Lacrosse has 41 fewer total recalls
  3. 3Honda Accord has 3% lower major repair risk

Category Scoreboard

1Buick Lacrosse
—
3Honda Accord
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Buick Lacrosse vs Honda Accord: Which Is More Reliable?

Buick Lacrosse vs Honda Accord at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricBuick LacrosseHonda Accord
Reliability Score76/10076/100
Years Tracked29
Total Recalls546
Complaints per 10k Sold7.95.7
Annual Repair Cost$569/yr$400/yr
Repair Frequency0.3/yr0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk12%9%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall
2019 NHTSA
2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins20

What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Lacrosse and Honda Accord?

The Honda Accord demonstrates a higher volume of complaints, particularly in the electrical system, with 531 issues and 18 crash-linked incidents, indicating a significant area of concern. Additionally, the Accord faces notable challenges with its forward collision avoidance and service brakes, contributing to a total of 38 crash-linked complaints across these categories. In contrast, the Buick Lacrosse has a remarkably lower complaint profile, with only 18 total issues, primarily related to the engine and electrical system, and no recorded crash-linked complaints. This suggests that while the Accord may have more extensive technological features, it also presents more reliability challenges compared to the relatively stable profile of the Lacrosse.

Buick Lacrosse vs Honda Accord common problem areas comparison
ComponentBuick LacrosseHonda Accord
ENGINE2.2Low0.7Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1.3Low0.9Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1.3Low0.6Very Low
POWER TRAIN0.9Very Low0.3Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL0.9Very Low0.2Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE—None0.7Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES—None0.5Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM—None0.4Very Low
STEERING—None0.4Very Low
AIR BAGS—None0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM—None0.1Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE—None—None
SEAT BELTS—None—None
SUSPENSION—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 Honda Accord?

Based on industry estimates, the Honda Accord presents a more cost-effective option for maintenance and repairs compared to the Buick Lacrosse. The Accord's annual repair cost is $400, whereas the Lacrosse costs $569 annually. This $169 difference equates to savings of $845 over five years for Accord owners. Both cars have a repair frequency of 0.3 visits per year, but the Accord has a lower major repair risk at 9% compared to the Lacrosse's 12%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Honda Accord offers better value, combining lower annual expenses with a reduced likelihood of significant repairs.

How Does Buick Lacrosse vs Honda Accord Reliability Compare by Year?

Buick Lacrosse vs Honda Accord year-by-year reliability scores
YearBuick LacrosseHonda AccordEdge
201976/1002R / 6C70/1005R / 574CBuick Lacrosse
201875/1003R / 12C63/1008R / 1739CBuick Lacrosse

Best years to cross-shop: The 2019 Buick Lacrosse scored 76/100 and the 2019 Honda Accord scored 70/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Buick Lacrosse vs the Honda Accord?

If you prioritize lower running costs and fewer owner complaints, the Honda Accord might be the better option for you. With an estimated annual repair cost of $400 and 5.7 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, it offers a more cost-effective and potentially smoother ownership experience. Despite having a higher number of recalls (46), the Accord's lower major repair risk of 9% suggests a reliable performance in the long run. On the other hand, if you are concerned about the frequency of recalls and prefer fewer manufacturer interventions, consider the Buick Lacrosse. It has significantly fewer recalls (5) but comes with a higher estimated annual repair cost of $569 and 7.9 owner complaints per 10,000 sold. While the major repair risk is slightly higher at 12%, the Lacrosse may appeal to those who value fewer recalls as an indicator of reliability.

Buick Lacrosse vs Honda Accord: Common Questions

Is the Buick Lacrosse more reliable than the Honda Accord?
They're very close — both average 76/100 in our reliability scoring. Other factors like repair costs and specific year models may tip the decision.
Which has more recalls, the Buick Lacrosse or the Honda Accord?
The Honda Accord has more recalls (46) 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 Honda Accord?
Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda Accord has a lower complaint rate at 5.7 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 Honda Accord?
Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Accord is cheaper to maintain at $400/year versus $569/year for the Buick Lacrosse.
Is the Buick Lacrosse or Honda Accord safer?
Both the Buick Lacrosse and Honda Accord 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.

Related Reliability 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

1

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.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

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.

4

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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