Last updated: 2026-08-24
Buick vs Dodge: Reliability Compared
Buick
7 models tracked
Dodge
6 models tracked
Comparing Buick and Dodge 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 73/100. Scroll down for the full breakdown.
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
Between these two, Buick comes out ahead on reliability, though specific model choice matters more than the overall gap. Aggregating recall data, owner complaints, and repair costs across every model we track, Buick averages 77/100 (7 models) and Dodge averages 73/100 (6 models).
On the cost front, Buick is cheaper to maintain at $543/year versus $642/year. Worth noting: repair costs vary heavily by model within each make, so this is an average — check individual model pages for specifics.
Where Buick and Dodge Differ Most
Our reliability score is built from four weighted components. Here's how each make performs in each area:
| 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
- 22 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
Top complaint categories from NHTSA owner reports, showing what drivers report most frequently for each make:
| Component | Buick | Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 22%163 | 28%526 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 13%99 | 13%233 |
| POWER TRAIN | 18%134 | 10%192 |
| ENGINE | 14%105 | 6%116 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1%8 | 10%194 |
| AIR BAGS | 4%28 | 9%166 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 12%86 | 5%85 |
| STRUCTURE | 1%4 | 6%104 |
| STEERING | 4%33 | 4%66 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2%18 | 0%3 |
Percentage of total complaints. Raw complaint count shown below. Based on NHTSA owner reports across all tracked model years.
Buick vs Dodge Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Across all tracked models, Buick owners reported 42 crash-related, 5 fire-related, and 37 injury-related complaints to NHTSA. Dodge owners reported 97 crash-related, 22 fire-related, and 98 injury-related complaints. Buick 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.
Buick
42
Crash reports
5
Fire reports
37
Injury reports
Dodge
97
Crash reports
22
Fire reports
98
Injury reports
Every Buick and Dodge Model Ranked
All tracked models ranked by average reliability score. Click any model for detailed year-by-year data.
Buick Models
Buick vs Dodge Reliability Trend by Year
Average reliability score for each model year, showing how quality has trended over time:
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 |
Number in parentheses = models tracked for that year. Scores are averages across all tracked models.
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:
The Bottom Line: Buick or Dodge?
Buick comes out ahead on the numbers, though both makes can serve you well if you pick the right model.
If you want the single most reliable option: the Buick Encore leads both lineups with a score of 79/100.
Budget-conscious buyers should note that Buick costs less to maintain — $543/year vs $642/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.
Buick vs Dodge: Common Questions
Is Buick more reliable than Dodge?
Which is cheaper to maintain, Buick or Dodge?
Which make has more recalls, Buick or Dodge?
What are the most reliable models from Buick and Dodge?
What are the least reliable models from Buick and Dodge?
What are the most common problems with Buick and Dodge vehicles?
Which make has more reliable models overall, Buick or Dodge?
How many Buick and Dodge models does Auto Reliability Index track?
Which make has fewer owner complaints, Buick or Dodge?
Are Buick and Dodge getting more or less reliable?
Which is better for a first-time car buyer, Buick or Dodge?
Which make has fewer safety-related complaints, Buick or Dodge?
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
More Buick 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.