Is the Buick Regal more reliable than the Honda Accord?

Based on our data, the Honda Accord 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 Regal or the Honda Accord?

The Honda Accord has more recalls (46) compared to the Buick Regal (8). 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 Regal 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 14.5 for the Buick Regal. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Buick Regal or the Honda Accord?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Accord is cheaper to maintain at $400/year versus $563/year for the Buick Regal.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

Buick Regal vs Honda Accord: Reliability Compared

Buick Regal

Good

More Reliable

Honda Accord

Good

Choosing between the Buick Regal 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. The Honda Accord 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 Regal and Honda Accord Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Honda Accord is in its eleventh generation, introduced in 2023. Being relatively early in its generation cycle, potential buyers should be aware that newer platforms might encounter first-year issues as manufacturers work out initial kinks. In contrast, the Buick Regal concluded its sixth generation in 2023, meaning its reliability patterns are well-documented, offering a more mature platform compared to the current Accord. Facelifts, like the Accord's 2020 update and the Regal's 2020 refresh, typically address minor issues and enhance features, often improving overall reliability as models age within their generation.

Verdict

The Honda Accord is more reliable than the Buick Regal, scoring 76/100 vs 74/100.

The Honda Accord demonstrates a marginally better reliability profile than the Buick Regal, with an average reliability score of 76/100 compared to the Regal's 74/100. Despite having more recalls over a longer period, the Accord has a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 5.7 per 10,000 sold, versus 14.5 for the Regal. Additionally, the Accord benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs at $400 compared to the Regal's $563. While both models share common issues in the electrical system and brakes, the Accord's lower complaint rate and repair costs make it the more reliable choice for consumers.

Key Differences

1Honda Accord costs $163 less per year to repair
2Buick Regal has 38 fewer total recalls
3Honda Accord has 8.8 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

2Buick Regal

—

4Honda Accord

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair Risk

Buick Regal vs Honda Accord: Which Is More Reliable?

Buick Regal vs Honda Accord at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Buick Regal	Honda Accord
Reliability Score	74/100	76/100
Years Tracked	3	9
Total Recalls	8	46
Complaints per 10k Sold	14.5	5.7
Annual Repair Cost	$563/yr	$400/yr
Repair Frequency	0.2/yr	0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk	12%	9%
Year Wins	3	0

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

The Honda Accord exhibits a broader range of issues, particularly in the electrical system and forward collision avoidance, with 531 and 408 complaints, respectively, and a notable number of crash-linked incidents. Service brakes also present a significant concern for the Accord, with 314 complaints and 18 related crashes. In contrast, the Buick Regal has a substantially lower total complaint volume, with the most significant issue being the electrical system at just 7 complaints and a lesser frequency of crash-linked problems. The Regal's problem profile suggests fewer severe reliability issues compared to the Accord's more diverse and crash-prone categories.

Buick Regal vs Honda Accord common problem areas comparison
Component	Buick Regal	Honda Accord
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.6Low	0.9Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	1.9Low	0.5Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.5Low	0.6Very Low
POWER TRAIN	1.5Low	0.3Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.7Very Low	0.2Very Low
SUSPENSION	0.7Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.7Very Low
ENGINE	—None	0.7Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	0.4Very Low
STEERING	—None	0.4Very Low
AIR BAGS	—None	0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	0.1Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Buick Regal or Honda Accord?

Based on independent repair cost data, the Honda Accord is more cost-effective for maintenance and repairs compared to the Buick Regal. The Accord's annual repair cost is $400, while the Regal's is $563, translating to a $163 difference per year, or $815 over five years. Although the Accord requires more frequent visits at 0.3 per year compared to the Regal's 0.2, its major repair risk is lower at 9% versus the Regal's 12%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Accord offers better value due to its lower annual costs and reduced risk of major repairs, making it a more economical choice in the long run.

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

Buick Regal vs Honda Accord year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Buick Regal	Honda Accord	Edge
2020	75/1002R / 2C	73/1008R / 344C	Buick Regal
2019	73/1003R / 18C	70/1005R / 574C	Buick Regal
2018	74/1003R / 19C	63/1008R / 1739C	Buick Regal

Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Buick Regal scored 75/100 and the 2020 Honda Accord scored 73/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Buick Regal vs the Honda Accord?

If you prioritize low running costs and fewer owner complaints, the Honda Accord is an excellent choice. With a reliability score of 76/100, it offers a lower estimated annual repair cost of $400 and fewer complaints per 10,000 sold at 5.7. While it has a higher number of recalls at 46, its repair frequency of 0.3 per year and major repair risk of 9% suggest a balanced maintenance profile. The Accord is ideal for those who value efficiency in both performance and maintenance. On the other hand, if you are concerned about recalls and prefer a vehicle with fewer recall instances, the Buick Regal might suit you better. Although it has a slightly lower reliability score of 74/100 and higher annual repair costs at $563, it only has 8 recalls. However, with a higher owner complaint rate of 14.5 per 10,000 sold and a major repair risk of 12%, it may require more attention to potential issues. Choose the Regal if you prioritize fewer recalls and are prepared for potential higher maintenance involvement.

Buick Regal vs Honda Accord: Common Questions

Is the Buick Regal more reliable than the Honda Accord?: Based on our data, the Honda Accord 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 Regal or the Honda Accord?: The Honda Accord has more recalls (46) compared to the Buick Regal (8). 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 Regal 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 14.5 for the Buick Regal. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Buick Regal or the Honda Accord?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Accord is cheaper to maintain at $400/year versus $563/year for the Buick Regal.

More Buick Regal comparisons

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More Honda Accord 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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