Last updated: 2026-07-26
Buick vs Ford: Which Make Is More Reliable?
Buick
7 models tracked
Ford
15 models tracked
Comparing Buick and Ford 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 66/100. Scroll down for the full breakdown.
Is Buick More Reliable Than Ford?
| Metric | Buick | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 77/100 | 66/100 |
| Models Tracked | 7 | 15 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 6 | 59 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 129 | 1686 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $543/yr | $716/yr |
Buick vs Ford: The Verdict
This isn't a close contest. Buick outperforms Ford on nearly every reliability measure we track. Aggregating recall data, owner complaints, and repair costs across every model we track, Buick averages 77/100 (7 models) and Ford averages 66/100 (15 models).
On the cost front, Buick is cheaper to maintain at $543/year versus $716/year. Over 5 years, that's roughly $865 in savings. 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 Ford Differ Most
Our reliability score is built from four weighted components. Here's how each make performs in each area:
| Component | Weight | Buick | Ford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 70/100Good | 59/100Mixed |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 73/100Good | 67/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 90/100Excellent | 63/100Good |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 82/100Excellent | 80/100Excellent |
Where they diverge most: recall impact. Buick has a 27-point edge in that component, which accounts for much of the reliability gap.
Buick vs Ford: 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
Ford
Strengths
- Above-average reliability (66/100 average)
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 13 of 15 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 201 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
How Reliable Are Buick and Ford Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Buick
Ford
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Buick or Ford?
Based on independent repair cost data, Buick is cheaper to maintain at an average of $543/year compared to $716/year for Ford. That's a difference of $173/year, which adds up significantly over the life of the vehicle.
Buick Repair Cost Range
$466 – $573/yr
Average: $543/yr
Ford Repair Cost Range
$581 – $861/yr
Average: $716/yr
Buick vs Ford Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Buick | Ford | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUVs(5 vs 8 models) | 77/100 | 64/100 | Buick |
| Sedans(2 vs 1 models) | 75/100 | 69/100 | Buick |
Buick wins 2 out of 2 shared categories.
Common Problems: Buick vs Ford
Top complaint categories from NHTSA owner reports, showing what drivers report most frequently for each make:
| Component | Buick | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 18%134 | 28%5,954 |
| ENGINE | 14%105 | 17%3,624 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 22%163 | 12%2,561 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 13%99 | 9%1,929 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2%18 | 9%1,831 |
| STRUCTURE | 1%4 | 7%1,418 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 12%86 | 5%953 |
| STEERING | 4%33 | 2%527 |
| AIR BAGS | 4%28 | 1%259 |
Percentage of total complaints. Raw complaint count shown below. Based on NHTSA owner reports across all tracked model years.
Buick vs Ford 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. Ford owners reported 597 crash-related, 201 fire-related, and 587 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
Ford
597
Crash reports
201
Fire reports
587
Injury reports
Every Buick and Ford Model Ranked
All tracked models ranked by average reliability score. Click any model for detailed year-by-year data.
Buick Models
Ford Models
Buick vs Ford 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. Ford's reliability is improving — recent model years average 73/100.
Interestingly, both Buick and Ford show improving reliability trends recently.
| Model Year | Buick | Ford | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 81/100(4) | 74/100(11) | Buick |
| 2025 | 80/100(4) | 71/100(11) | Buick |
| 2024 | 76/100(4) | 70/100(12) | Buick |
| 2023 | 78/100(3) | 66/100(13) | Buick |
| 2022 | 76/100(4) | 61/100(13) | Buick |
| 2021 | 76/100(4) | 60/100(10) | Buick |
| 2020 | 74/100(5) | 62/100(10) | Buick |
| 2019 | 76/100(5) | 64/100(10) | Buick |
| 2018 | 76/100(5) | 61/100(9) | Buick |
Number in parentheses = models tracked for that year. Scores are averages across all tracked models.
Buick vs Ford: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Buick and Ford. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
The Bottom Line: Buick or Ford?
The numbers make a strong case for Buick — this is one of the larger make-level gaps in our database.
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 $716/year. Over a typical 5-year ownership period, that adds up to roughly $865 in savings.
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 Ford: Common Questions
Is Buick more reliable than Ford?
Which is cheaper to maintain, Buick or Ford?
Which make has more recalls, Buick or Ford?
What are the most reliable models from Buick and Ford?
What are the least reliable models from Buick and Ford?
What are the most common problems with Buick and Ford vehicles?
Which make has more reliable models overall, Buick or Ford?
How many Buick and Ford models does Auto Reliability Index track?
Which make has fewer owner complaints, Buick or Ford?
Are Buick and Ford getting more or less reliable?
Which is better for a first-time car buyer, Buick or Ford?
Which make has fewer safety-related complaints, Buick or Ford?
Comparing Buick vs Ford? 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.