Last updated: 2026-10-10
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 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.
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
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Decided between Buick LaCrosse and Volkswagen Passat? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Buick LaCrosse and Volkswagen Passat
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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