Last updated: 2026-10-10
Buick vs Dodge: Reliability Compared
Buick
7 models tracked
Dodge
6 models tracked
Buick edges out Dodge on reliability, with fewer recalls and fewer complaints per car sold. Both brands rate good, so the lead is slight. Buick also costs less to repair each year, and Dodge's Hornet is the one weak spot in either lineup.
Is Buick More Reliable Than Dodge?
| Metric | Buick | Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 77/100 | 73/100 |
| Models Tracked | 7 | 6 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 6 | 16 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 129 | 369 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $543/yr | $642/yr |
Dodge Models
6 models ranked by reliability
Buick vs Dodge: The Verdict
A slight edge goes to Buick. Both brands rate good, but Buick is stronger on complaint severity, repair costs and recall impact. Dodge has 97 recalls to Buick's 40, and owners file complaints at twice the rate per car sold. Estimated repair costs run about $99 a year higher for Dodge.
The two brands are even on how problems spread across systems. Electrical trouble is the top complaint area for both. Buick's recent trend is improving, while Dodge's is stable.
Where Buick and Dodge Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Buick | Dodge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 70/100Good | 67/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 73/100Good | 69/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 90/100Excellent | 78/100Good |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 82/100Excellent | 81/100Excellent |
Where they diverge most: recall impact. Buick has a 12-point edge in that component, which accounts for much of the reliability gap.
Buick vs Dodge: Strengths and Weaknesses
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
Dodge
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (73/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reasonable maintenance costs ($642/year avg)
- 5 of 6 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 24 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
How Reliable Are Buick and Dodge Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Buick
Dodge
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Buick or Dodge?
Based on independent repair cost data, Buick is cheaper to maintain at an average of $543/year compared to $642/year for Dodge. The difference is relatively small, so maintenance costs shouldn't be a major deciding factor between these makes.
Buick Repair Cost Range
$466 – $573/yr
Average: $543/yr
Dodge Repair Cost Range
$562 – $675/yr
Average: $642/yr
Buick vs Dodge Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Buick | Dodge | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUVs(5 vs 3 models) | 77/100 | 69/100 | Buick |
| Sedans(2 vs 2 models) | 75/100 | 74/100 | Buick |
Buick wins 2 out of 2 shared categories.
Common Problems: Buick vs Dodge
| Component | Buick | Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 22%163 | 29%553 |
| POWER TRAIN | 18%134 | 10%194 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 14%107 | 11%212 |
| ENGINE | 14%105 | 6%121 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1%8 | 10%196 |
| AIR BAGS | 4%28 | 9%166 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 12%86 | 5%93 |
| STRUCTURE | 1%4 | 6%109 |
| STEERING | 4%31 | 4%69 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2%18 | 0%3 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Buick vs Dodge Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Buick
42
Crash reports
5
Fire reports
37
Injury reports
Dodge
101
Crash reports
24
Fire reports
98
Injury reports
Every Buick and Dodge Model Ranked
Buick Models
Buick vs Dodge Reliability Trend by Year
Buick's reliability is improving — recent model years average 81/100, up from earlier years. Dodge's reliability has been stable.
| Model Year | Buick | Dodge | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 81/100(4) | 82/100(2) | Dodge |
| 2025 | 80/100(4) | 71/100(3) | Buick |
| 2024 | 76/100(4) | 68/100(3) | Buick |
| 2023 | 78/100(3) | 71/100(4) | Buick |
| 2022 | 76/100(4) | 73/100(3) | Buick |
| 2021 | 76/100(4) | 72/100(3) | Buick |
| 2020 | 74/100(5) | 77/100(5) | Dodge |
| 2019 | 76/100(5) | 73/100(5) | Buick |
| 2018 | 76/100(5) | 70/100(5) | Buick |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Buick vs Dodge: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Buick and Dodge. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
Who Should Buy Buick vs Dodge?
If you want an SUV, lean Buick. Its five SUVs all rate good, and the Encore ranks first, with 2022 the year the site picks. Check any Encore for turbocharger trouble, such as a check engine light and reduced power. If you want a sedan, the two brands are even. A 2020 Buick Regal is the year to favor, but test the stop-start system and watch for a false "Shift to Park" message.
Lean Dodge if you need a minivan. The Grand-Caravan rates good and is the top Dodge, and 2020 is the year to favor. Skip the 2018 and 2019, which carry far more complaints and recalls. Test every sliding door lock before you pay. Dodge's Charger and Challenger sedans also rate good. Be careful with the Hornet. It is the only mixed model here, and the 2024 has the heaviest recall and complaint load. If you still want one, the 2023 is the year to buy.
The Bottom Line: Buick or Dodge?
Choose Buick if you want the safer all-round bet, and the Encore is the strongest single model across both lineups. Dodge makes sense for a 2020 Grand-Caravan or a good-rated sedan. Over five years, Dodge's higher estimated repair costs add up to about $495 more than Buick's. Avoid the Dodge Hornet, and have any used Encore checked for turbocharger wear.
Buick vs Dodge: Common Questions
Is Buick more reliable than Dodge?
Which has more recalls, Buick or Dodge?
Which is cheaper to repair, Buick or Dodge?
What goes wrong most often on Dodge vehicles?
Which Dodge or Buick models should I avoid?
Comparing Buick vs Dodge? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
Related Make Comparisons
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How we score Buick and Dodge 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.