Last updated: 2026-10-10
Buick vs GMC: Which Make Is More Reliable?
Buick
7 models tracked
GMC
5 models tracked
Buick comes out ahead of GMC on reliability, with fewer recalls, less severe complaints and lower yearly repair costs. Both brands rate good and both are trending better. GMC's trucks and larger SUVs draw far more engine and power train complaints, which is where the gap shows.
Is Buick More Reliable Than GMC?
| Metric | Buick | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 77/100 | 71/100 |
| Models Tracked | 7 | 5 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 6 | 29 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 129 | 1164 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $543/yr | $647/yr |
GMC Models
5 models ranked by reliability
Buick vs GMC: The Verdict
A clear edge goes to Buick. Both brands stand at good and both are improving, so neither is a poor choice. The gap comes from severity, cost and recalls. Federal recall records show 40 for Buick against 146 for GMC. Owner complaints that involve crashes, fires and injuries are also fewer on the Buick side.
Independent repair-cost data puts Buick at about $543 a year and GMC at about $647. The two brands are even on how widely problems spread across systems. GMC's top complaint areas are the engine and power train, and that is the main reason its edge in capability costs more to own.
Where Buick and GMC Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Buick | GMC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 70/100Good | 61/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 73/100Good | 66/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 90/100Excellent | 81/100Excellent |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 82/100Excellent | 82/100Excellent |
Where they diverge most: complaint severity. Buick has a 9-point edge in that component, which accounts for much of the reliability gap.
Buick vs GMC: 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
GMC
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (71/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reasonable maintenance costs ($647/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 5 of 5 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 34 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
How Reliable Are Buick and GMC Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Buick
GMC
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Buick or GMC?
Based on independent repair cost data, Buick is cheaper to maintain at an average of $543/year compared to $647/year for GMC. That's a difference of $104/year, which adds up significantly over the life of the vehicle.
Buick Repair Cost Range
$466 – $573/yr
Average: $543/yr
GMC Repair Cost Range
$548 – $747/yr
Average: $647/yr
Buick vs GMC Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Buick | GMC | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUVs(5 vs 3 models) | 77/100 | 70/100 | Buick |
Buick wins 1 out of 1 shared categories.
Common Problems: Buick vs GMC
| Component | Buick | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 14%105 | 27%1,443 |
| POWER TRAIN | 18%134 | 22%1,163 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 22%163 | 14%742 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 14%107 | 7%388 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 12%86 | 8%408 |
| STEERING | 4%31 | 5%280 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2%18 | 4%241 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1%8 | 3%174 |
| AIR BAGS | 4%28 | 1%72 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Buick vs GMC Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Buick
42
Crash reports
5
Fire reports
37
Injury reports
GMC
129
Crash reports
34
Fire reports
144
Injury reports
Every Buick and GMC Model Ranked
Buick Models
Buick vs GMC Reliability Trend by Year
Buick's reliability is improving — recent model years average 81/100, up from earlier years. GMC's reliability is improving — recent model years average 78/100.
Interestingly, both Buick and GMC show improving reliability trends recently.
| Model Year | Buick | GMC | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 81/100(4) | 80/100(5) | Buick |
| 2025 | 80/100(4) | 76/100(5) | Buick |
| 2024 | 76/100(4) | 75/100(5) | Buick |
| 2023 | 78/100(3) | 67/100(5) | Buick |
| 2022 | 76/100(4) | 67/100(5) | Buick |
| 2021 | 76/100(4) | 66/100(5) | Buick |
| 2020 | 74/100(5) | 68/100(5) | Buick |
| 2019 | 76/100(5) | 69/100(4) | Buick |
| 2018 | 76/100(5) | 68/100(5) | Buick |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Who Should Buy Buick vs GMC?
If you want the lowest running costs, lean toward Buick. The Encore is the top-ranked model in its lineup, and 2022 is the pick. Know its main complaints before you buy: turbocharger failure and front air bags that did not deploy in crashes. For a sedan, the 2020 Regal is the year to favor. Watch for a false "Shift to Park" message that can drain the battery, and a stop-start system that restarts slowly after red lights.
If you need a truck or a full-size SUV, GMC is the one to shop, since Buick has neither in this data. Target the 2024 Canyon, but skip the 2023, where the forward collision system brakes hard with nothing ahead. Watch for 8-speed automatic shudder in any year. In the Yukon, pick the 2020 and avoid the 2021. Lifter and camshaft failure can bring ticking, misfires and sudden power loss, often with no warning light.
The Bottom Line: Buick or GMC?
Choose Buick unless you specifically need a truck or a full-size SUV. The Encore is the strongest single model across both lineups, as the top-ranked model of the brand that leads overall. GMC costs about $104 more a year to repair, which adds up to roughly $520 over five years. If you go GMC, the 2024 Canyon and 2020 Yukon are the safer picks.
Buick vs GMC: Common Questions
Is Buick more reliable than GMC?
Which has more recalls, Buick or GMC?
Which is cheaper to repair, Buick or GMC?
What goes wrong most often on a used GMC?
What goes wrong most often on a used Buick?
Comparing Buick vs GMC? 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 GMC 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.