Last updated: 2026-10-10
Buick Regal vs Volkswagen Passat: Reliability Compared
Buick Regal
Volkswagen Passat
Choosing between the Buick Regal 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. The Volkswagen Passat 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.
Verdict
The Volkswagen Passat is more reliable than the Buick Regal, scoring 76/100 vs 74/100.
Key Differences
- 1Buick Regal costs $76 less per year to repair
- 2Volkswagen Passat has 5.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Volkswagen Passat has 3% lower major repair risk
Category Scoreboard
Buick Regal vs Volkswagen Passat: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Buick Regal | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 74/100 | 76/100 |
| Years Tracked | 3 | 5 |
| Total Recalls | 8 | 9 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 14.5 | 9.4 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $563/yr | $639/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.2/yr | 0.4/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 12% | 9% |
| Year Wins | 1 (1 tied) | 1 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Regal and Volkswagen Passat?
| Component | Buick Regal | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2.6Low | 1.5Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1.9Low | 1.6Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.5Low | 0.6Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.5Low | 0.3Very Low |
| ENGINE | —None | 0.9Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.7Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.7Very 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 |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Buick Regal vs Volkswagen Passat Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Buick Regal | Volkswagen Passat | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 75/1002R / 2C | 75/1003R / 15C | Tie |
| 2019 | 73/1003R / 18C | 77/1001R / 12C | Volkswagen Passat |
| 2018 | 74/1003R / 19C | 71/1004R / 45C | Buick Regal |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Buick Regal scored 75/100 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 Regal vs Volkswagen Passat: Common Questions
- Is the Buick Regal more reliable than the Volkswagen Passat?
- Based on our data, the Volkswagen Passat 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 Volkswagen Passat?
- The Volkswagen Passat has more recalls (9) 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 Volkswagen Passat?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Volkswagen Passat has a lower complaint rate at 9.4 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 Volkswagen Passat?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Buick Regal is cheaper to maintain at $563/year versus $639/year for the Volkswagen Passat.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Buick Regal and Volkswagen Passat? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Buick Regal 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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