Last updated: 2026-08-24
Acura vs Buick: Reliability Compared
Acura
5 models tracked
Buick
7 models tracked
Comparing Acura and Buick on reliability? This page compares their scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs across every model we track.
Buick currently leads with an average score of 77/100 compared to 75/100. Scroll down for the full breakdown.
Is Acura More Reliable Than Buick?
| Metric | Acura | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 75/100 | 77/100 |
| Models Tracked | 5 | 7 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 16 | 6 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 467 | 129 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $577/yr | $543/yr |
Acura vs Buick: The Verdict
Buick holds a modest reliability advantage over Acura — enough to notice, not enough to be the only factor. The overall picture: Acura scores 75/100 across 5 models, while Buick comes in at 77/100 across 7 models — all data-driven, no bias.
On the cost front, Buick is cheaper to maintain at $543/year versus $577/year. The repair cost gap might seem small year-to-year, but over a typical 5-year ownership period it compounds into meaningful savings for Buick owners.
Where Acura and Buick Differ Most
Our reliability score is built from four weighted components. Here's how each make performs in each area:
| Component | Weight | Acura | Buick |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 59/100Mixed | 70/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 84/100Excellent | 73/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 81/100Excellent | 90/100Excellent |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 80/100Excellent | 82/100Excellent |
Dig into the components and complaint severity stands out — Buick outscores by 11 points there, which carries significant weight in the final number.
Acura vs Buick: Strengths and Weaknesses
Acura
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (75/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reasonable maintenance costs ($577/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 5 of 5 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
Buick
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (77/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reasonable maintenance costs ($543/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 7 of 7 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
How Reliable Are Acura and Buick Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Acura
Buick
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Acura or Buick?
Based on independent repair cost data, Buick is cheaper to maintain at an average of $543/year compared to $577/year for Acura. The difference is relatively small, so maintenance costs shouldn't be a major deciding factor between these makes.
Acura Repair Cost Range
$440 – $801/yr
Average: $577/yr
Buick Repair Cost Range
$466 – $573/yr
Average: $543/yr
Acura vs Buick Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Acura | Buick | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedans(2 vs 2 models) | 72/100 | 75/100 | Buick |
| SUVs(3 vs 5 models) | 77/100 | 77/100 | Tie |
Buick wins 1 out of 2 shared categories.
Common Problems: Acura vs Buick
Top complaint categories from NHTSA owner reports, showing what drivers report most frequently for each make:
| Component | Acura | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 15%299 | 13%99 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 11%227 | 22%163 |
| POWER TRAIN | 13%252 | 18%134 |
| STEERING | 16%315 | 4%33 |
| ENGINE | 10%204 | 14%105 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 5%106 | 12%86 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 7%148 | 0%2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 4%88 | 2%18 |
| AIR BAGS | 1%27 | 4%28 |
Percentage of total complaints. Raw complaint count shown below. Based on NHTSA owner reports across all tracked model years.
Acura vs Buick Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Across all tracked models, Acura owners reported 39 crash-related, 10 fire-related, and 33 injury-related complaints to NHTSA. Buick owners reported 42 crash-related, 5 fire-related, and 37 injury-related complaints. Acura has fewer severe incident reports overall. These counts reflect owner-reported incidents and don't establish causation — but they're a useful signal for comparing safety profiles.
Acura
39
Crash reports
10
Fire reports
33
Injury reports
Buick
42
Crash reports
5
Fire reports
37
Injury reports
Every Acura and Buick Model Ranked
All tracked models ranked by average reliability score. Click any model for detailed year-by-year data.
Acura Models
Buick Models
Acura vs Buick Reliability Trend by Year
Average reliability score for each model year, showing how quality has trended over time:
Acura's reliability is improving — recent model years average 81/100, up from earlier years. Buick's reliability is improving — recent model years average 81/100.
Both makes are trending improving in recent model years — neither is pulling away.
| Model Year | Acura | Buick | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 81/100(3) | 81/100(4) | Tie |
| 2025 | 80/100(5) | 80/100(4) | Tie |
| 2024 | 77/100(5) | 76/100(4) | Acura |
| 2023 | 76/100(4) | 78/100(3) | Buick |
| 2022 | 74/100(2) | 76/100(4) | Buick |
| 2021 | 74/100(2) | 76/100(4) | Buick |
| 2020 | 67/100(3) | 74/100(5) | Buick |
| 2019 | 66/100(3) | 76/100(5) | Buick |
| 2018 | 71/100(3) | 76/100(5) | Buick |
Number in parentheses = models tracked for that year. Scores are averages across all tracked models.
The Bottom Line: Acura or Buick?
Buick has the edge, but don't let a modest score gap override other factors like price, features, and dealer experience.
If you want the single most reliable option: the Acura ZDX leads both lineups with a score of 82/100.
Budget-conscious buyers should note that Buick costs less to maintain — $543/year vs $577/year.
All scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data combined with independent repair cost databases. Check individual model pages for year-specific reliability data before making a final decision.
Acura vs Buick: Common Questions
Is Acura more reliable than Buick?
Which is cheaper to maintain, Acura or Buick?
Which make has more recalls, Acura or Buick?
What are the most reliable models from Acura and Buick?
What are the least reliable models from Acura and Buick?
What are the most common problems with Acura and Buick vehicles?
Which make has more reliable models overall, Acura or Buick?
How many Acura and Buick models does Auto Reliability Index track?
Which make has fewer owner complaints, Acura or Buick?
Are Acura and Buick getting more or less reliable?
Which is better for a first-time car buyer, Acura or Buick?
Which make has fewer safety-related complaints, Acura or Buick?
Comparing Acura vs Buick? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
Related Make Comparisons
More Acura comparisons
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 via vehicles.dev. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.