Last updated: 2026-08-24
Buick Lacrosse vs Volkswagen Passat: Reliability Compared
Buick Lacrosse
Volkswagen Passat
Choosing between the Buick Lacrosse and the Volkswagen Passat? 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.
Verdict
The Buick Lacrosse and Volkswagen Passat are evenly matched with a reliability score of 76/100.
Key Differences
- 1Buick Lacrosse costs $70 less per year to repair
- 2Buick Lacrosse has 4 fewer total recalls
- 3Volkswagen Passat has 3% lower major repair risk
Category Scoreboard
Buick Lacrosse vs Volkswagen Passat: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Buick Lacrosse | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 76/100 | 76/100 |
| Years Tracked | 2 | 5 |
| Total Recalls | 5 | 9 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 7.9 | 9.4 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $569/yr | $639/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.4/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 12% | 9% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2019 NHTSA | 2022 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 1 | 1 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Lacrosse and Volkswagen Passat?
| Component | Buick Lacrosse | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 2.2Low | 0.9Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.3Low | 1.5Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.3Low | 0.6Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | —None | 1.6Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.9Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.9Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STEERING | —None | 0.7Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | —None | 0.6Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.2Very Low |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Buick Lacrosse vs Volkswagen Passat Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Buick Lacrosse | Volkswagen Passat | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 76/1002R / 6C | 77/1001R / 12C | Volkswagen Passat |
| 2018 | 75/1003R / 12C | 71/1004R / 45C | Buick Lacrosse |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2019 Buick Lacrosse scored 76/100 and the 2019 Volkswagen Passat scored 77/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Buick Lacrosse vs Volkswagen Passat: Common Questions
- Is the Buick Lacrosse more reliable than the Volkswagen Passat?
- 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 Volkswagen Passat?
- The Volkswagen Passat has more recalls (9) 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 Volkswagen Passat?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Lacrosse has a lower complaint rate at 7.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 9.4 for the Volkswagen Passat. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Buick Lacrosse or the Volkswagen Passat?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Buick Lacrosse is cheaper to maintain at $569/year versus $639/year for the Volkswagen Passat.
- Is the Buick Lacrosse or Volkswagen Passat safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Buick Lacrosse has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Volkswagen Passat. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Buick Lacrosse comparisons
Decided between Buick Lacrosse and Volkswagen Passat? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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 via vehicles.dev. 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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