Last updated: 2026-10-10
Acura vs Buick: Reliability Compared
Acura
5 models tracked
Buick
7 models tracked
Buick edges out Acura on reliability, mainly because owners file far fewer complaints per car sold. The lead is slight. Both brands rate good and are improving, and Acura still holds the strongest single model in either lineup, the ZDX.
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
A slight edge goes to Buick. Owners file 0.7 complaints per 1,000 cars sold, against 2.6 for Acura, and federal recall records show 40 recalls for Buick against 80 for Acura. Buick also does better on complaint severity and on how widely problems spread across systems.
The gap is small, though. Crash and injury complaints are close between the two, and Acura has more fires. Independent repair-cost data favors Acura only in its low end: Buick averages $543 a year and Acura $577, with Acura's models running from $440 to $801. Sedans favor Buick. SUVs are even.
Where Acura and Buick Differ Most
| 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
| Component | Acura | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 16%328 | 14%107 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 11%227 | 22%163 |
| POWER TRAIN | 12%252 | 18%134 |
| STEERING | 15%304 | 4%31 |
| ENGINE | 10%204 | 14%105 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 5%94 | 12%86 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 8%161 | 0%2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 4%88 | 2%18 |
| AIR BAGS | 2%39 | 4%28 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Acura vs Buick Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Acura
44
Crash reports
10
Fire reports
37
Injury reports
Buick
42
Crash reports
5
Fire reports
37
Injury reports
Every Acura and Buick Model Ranked
Acura Models
Buick Models
Acura vs Buick Reliability Trend by Year
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 |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Who Should Buy Acura vs Buick?
If you want a sedan, lean toward Buick. The Regal rates above average among sedans, and the 2020 is the year to favor. Check for a false "Shift to Park" message and a slow stop-start restart. The Lacrosse also rates good. Acura's Integra is the alternative, but steering is its weak spot. The wheel sticks at highway speeds, then lets go suddenly. Buy a 2024 and skip the 2023.
If you want an SUV, the brands are even, so choose by model. The Acura ZDX is the strongest in either lineup, and the 2024 is the one to buy. Test the brakes hard, since owners report pedals that sink and emergency braking that fires with nothing ahead. The Acura RDX is a solid good-rated option. On the Buick side, the Encore rates well above average among SUVs, with 2022 the pick. Ask whether the turbocharger has been serviced. Owners also report front air bags that did not deploy in crashes, so run the VIN for recalls.
The Bottom Line: Acura or Buick?
For most shoppers, a Buick is the lower-risk buy, and the 2020 Regal is the one to target in sedans. Pick Acura if the ZDX appeals to you, since it is the strongest model across both lineups, and confirm the brakes on a test drive. Buick runs about $34 a year cheaper to repair, roughly $170 over five years. That gap is small, so decide by model and year.
Acura vs Buick: Common Questions
Is Acura more reliable than Buick?
Which brand has more recalls, Acura or Buick?
Is Acura or Buick cheaper to repair?
What is the most common problem on Acura models?
What goes wrong most often on a used 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 score Acura and Buick models
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.