Is the Buick Regal more reliable than the Mazda 3?

Based on our data, the Mazda 3 is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Buick Regal or the Mazda 3?

The Mazda 3 has more recalls (11) 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 Mazda 3?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Mazda 3 has a lower complaint rate at 1.3 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 Mazda 3?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Mazda 3 is cheaper to maintain at $433/year versus $563/year for the Buick Regal.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

Buick Regal vs Mazda 3: Reliability Compared

Buick Regal

Good

More Reliable

Mazda 3

Good

Choosing between the Buick Regal and the Mazda 3? 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 Mazda 3 currently leads with an average score of 78/100 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 Mazda 3 Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Mazda 3 is in its fourth generation (BP), which was introduced in 2019 and ran until 2023. This generation is relatively mature, suggesting that many initial issues typical of new platforms were likely addressed over its lifespan. Past facelifts, such as the significant 2016 update during the third generation, have demonstrated Mazda's commitment to refining their vehicles, which can contribute to improved reliability over time. The Buick Regal's sixth generation started in 2018 and concluded in 2023. This generation also had time to mature, with a facelift in 2020 before its final production year. Generally, later years in a generation cycle, like those for both the Mazda 3 and Buick Regal, tend to be more reliable as manufacturers refine and resolve earlier issues, making them appealing choices for reliability-conscious buyers.

Verdict

The Mazda 3 is more reliable than the Buick Regal, scoring 78/100 vs 74/100.

The Mazda 3 demonstrates superior reliability with an average score of 78/100 compared to the Buick Regal's 74/100. Notably, the Mazda 3 has a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 1.3 per 10,000 sold versus the Regal's 14.5, despite having more recalls over a longer time frame. Independent repair cost estimates favor the Mazda 3, with annual costs of $433 compared to the Regal's $563. While both vehicles have issues with their electrical systems, the Mazda 3's overall lower complaint rate and repair costs make it the more reliable choice.

Key Differences

1Mazda 3 costs $130 less per year to repair
2Mazda 3 has 13.2 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Mazda 3 scores 4 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

2Buick Regal

—

4Mazda 3

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair Risk

Buick Regal vs Mazda 3: Which Is More Reliable?

Buick Regal vs Mazda 3 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Buick Regal	Mazda 3
Reliability Score	74/100	78/100
Years Tracked	3	8
Total Recalls	8	11
Complaints per 10k Sold	14.5	1.3
Annual Repair Cost	$563/yr	$433/yr
Repair Frequency	0.2/yr	0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk	12%	10%
Year Wins	0	2

What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Regal and Mazda 3?

The Mazda 3 has a higher total complaint count than the Buick Regal, with significant attention to its engine, receiving 42 complaints, and electrical system, with 32 complaints including one crash-linked incident. The Mazda 3 also shows notable crash-related concerns in service brakes (6 crash-linked) and steering (3 crash-linked). In contrast, the Buick Regal's most reported issues are in the electrical system with 7 complaints and service brakes with 5 complaints, 2 of which were crash-linked. While both vehicles exhibit issues with service brakes, the Mazda 3's broader range of problem areas and higher incidence of crash-linked complaints suggests more diverse reliability challenges compared to the Buick Regal.

Buick Regal vs Mazda 3 common problem areas comparison
Component	Buick Regal	Mazda 3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.6Low	0.2Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	1.9Low	0.1Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.5Low	0.1Very Low
POWER TRAIN	1.5Low	—None
SUSPENSION	0.7Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.7Very Low	—None
ENGINE	—None	0.3Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.1Very Low
STEERING	—None	0.1Very Low
AIR BAGS	—None	0.1Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None
WHEELS	—None	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—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 Mazda 3?

Based on industry estimates, the Mazda 3 has an annual repair cost of $433, which is $130 less than the Buick Regal's $563. Over five years, this difference amounts to $650. Despite the lower annual cost, the Mazda 3 requires slightly more frequent repairs, with 0.3 visits per year compared to the Regal's 0.2 visits. However, the Mazda 3 has a lower major repair risk at 10% versus the Regal's 12%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Mazda 3 offers a better value due to its lower overall repair costs and reduced risk of significant repairs, despite a marginal increase in repair frequency.

How Does Buick Regal vs Mazda 3 Reliability Compare by Year?

Buick Regal vs Mazda 3 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Buick Regal	Mazda 3	Edge
2019	73/1003R / 18C	78/1002R / 26C	Mazda 3
2018	74/1003R / 19C	79/1001R / 9C	Mazda 3

Best years to cross-shop: The 2018 Buick Regal scored 74/100 and the 2018 Mazda 3 scored 79/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Buick Regal vs the Mazda 3?

If you prioritize low running costs and fewer owner complaints, the Mazda 3 is an appealing choice. With a reliability score of 78/100 and an estimated annual repair cost of $433, it offers a balance of dependability and affordability. The Mazda 3 experiences fewer complaints per 10,000 vehicles sold (1.3) compared to the Buick Regal, making it a solid choice for those who want peace of mind on the road. On the other hand, if you are concerned about the frequency of repairs and prefer fewer recalls, consider the Buick Regal. While it has a slightly lower reliability score of 74/100, it boasts fewer total recalls (8) and a lower repair frequency of 0.2 per year. However, be aware of its higher estimated annual repair costs at $563 and more significant owner complaints. Choose the Regal if you value a potentially less frequent visit to the mechanic but are willing to manage higher repair expenses.

Buick Regal vs Mazda 3: Common Questions

Is the Buick Regal more reliable than the Mazda 3?: Based on our data, the Mazda 3 is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Buick Regal or the Mazda 3?: The Mazda 3 has more recalls (11) 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 Mazda 3?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Mazda 3 has a lower complaint rate at 1.3 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 Mazda 3?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Mazda 3 is cheaper to maintain at $433/year versus $563/year for the Buick Regal.

More Buick Regal comparisons

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More Mazda 3 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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