Last updated: 2026-07-26
Buick Regal vs Toyota Camry: Reliability Compared
Buick Regal
Toyota Camry
Choosing between the Buick Regal and the Toyota Camry? 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 Toyota Camry 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 Toyota Camry Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota Camry is more reliable than the Buick Regal, scoring 78/100 vs 74/100.
The Toyota Camry demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Buick Regal, with a higher average reliability score of 78/100 versus 74/100 for the Regal. Notably, the Camry has fewer owner complaints at a rate of 2.1 per 10,000 sold, while the Regal reports a significantly higher rate of 14.5. Additionally, independent repair cost estimates favor the Camry with lower annual expenses at $388 compared to the Regal's $563. Although both models share common issues related to power train and service brakes, the Camry's overall performance is more dependable, making it the more reliable choice.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Camry costs $175 less per year to repair
- 2Buick Regal has 27 fewer total recalls
- 3Toyota Camry has 12.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Buick Regal vs Toyota Camry: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Buick Regal | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 74/100 | 78/100 |
| Years Tracked | 3 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 8 | 35 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 14.5 | 2.1 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $563/yr | $388/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.2/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 12% | 11% |
| Year Wins | 2 (1 tied) | 0 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Regal and Toyota Camry?
The Toyota Camry has a significantly higher number of total complaints compared to the Buick Regal, with notable issues in the power train, air bags, and service brakes categories. The Camry's air bags stand out with 58 crash-linked complaints, indicating a potential safety concern. In contrast, the Buick Regal's complaints are far fewer, with the most serious issues being linked to the service brakes, which have 2 crash-linked complaints. While both models exhibit problems in the electrical system and power train, the severity and number of crash-linked complaints are considerably higher in the Camry, particularly concerning safety-critical components like air bags and brakes.
| Component | Buick Regal | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2.6Low | 0.2Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1.9Low | 0.2Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.5Low | 0.4Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.5Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.7Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.7Very Low | —None |
| AIR BAGS | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| ENGINE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| STEERING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —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 Toyota Camry?
How Does Buick Regal vs Toyota Camry Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Buick Regal | Toyota Camry | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 75/1002R / 2C | 75/1005R / 253C | Tie |
| 2019 | 73/1003R / 18C | 70/1008R / 364C | Buick Regal |
| 2018 | 74/1003R / 19C | 65/1008R / 708C | Buick Regal |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Buick Regal scored 75/100 and the 2020 Toyota Camry scored 75/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Buick Regal vs the Toyota Camry?
Buick Regal vs Toyota Camry: Common Questions
- Is the Buick Regal more reliable than the Toyota Camry?
- Based on our data, the Toyota Camry 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 Toyota Camry?
- The Toyota Camry has more recalls (35) 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 Toyota Camry?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Camry has a lower complaint rate at 2.1 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 Toyota Camry?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Camry is cheaper to maintain at $388/year versus $563/year for the Buick Regal.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Buick Regal and Toyota Camry? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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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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