Last updated: 2026-10-10
Buick vs Honda: Reliability Compared
Buick
7 models tracked
Honda
9 models tracked
Buick edges out Honda on reliability, but only slightly. Buick has fewer complaints and recalls, while Honda costs less to run. Both brands rate good and both are improving, so the right pick depends on the model and year you choose.
Is Buick More Reliable Than Honda?
| Metric | Buick | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 77/100 | 74/100 |
| Models Tracked | 7 | 9 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 6 | 38 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 129 | 2118 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $543/yr | $441/yr |
Buick vs Honda: The Verdict
A slight edge goes to Buick. Owners file fewer complaints per car sold, 0.7 per 1,000 against 1.9 for Honda, and federal recall records show 40 recalls against 338. Buick is also stronger on complaint severity, which covers crashes, fires and injuries.
Honda wins on upkeep. Independent repair-cost data puts it at $441 a year, against $543 for Buick. Both brands rate good, both are trending better, and problems are spread across systems about evenly. Buick is stronger among SUVs. Honda is stronger among sedans.
Where Buick and Honda Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Buick | Honda |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 70/100Good | 61/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 73/100Good | 84/100Excellent |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 90/100Excellent | 74/100Good |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 82/100Excellent | 82/100Excellent |
The biggest gap is in recall impact, where Buick scores 16 points higher. That single component does the most to separate these two makes.
Buick vs Honda: 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
Honda
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (74/100 average)
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Very affordable maintenance ($441/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 9 of 9 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 69 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
How Reliable Are Buick and Honda Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Buick
Honda
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Buick or Honda?
Based on independent repair cost data, Honda is cheaper to maintain at an average of $441/year compared to $543/year for Buick. That's a difference of $102/year, which adds up significantly over the life of the vehicle.
Buick Repair Cost Range
$466 – $573/yr
Average: $543/yr
Honda Repair Cost Range
$301 – $547/yr
Average: $441/yr
Buick vs Honda Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Buick | Honda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUVs(5 vs 5 models) | 77/100 | 73/100 | Buick |
| Sedans(2 vs 2 models) | 75/100 | 77/100 | Honda |
The makes split categories evenly at 1–1.
Common Problems: Buick vs Honda
| Component | Buick | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| STEERING | 4%31 | 19%3,164 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 22%163 | 18%2,940 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | — | 10%1,664 |
| ENGINE | 14%105 | 9%1,523 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 14%107 | 8%1,404 |
| POWER TRAIN | 18%134 | 7%1,149 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 1%4 | 7%1,142 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 12%86 | 5%876 |
| AIR BAGS | 4%28 | 2%410 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2%18 | 0%3 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Buick vs Honda Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Buick
42
Crash reports
5
Fire reports
37
Injury reports
Honda
584
Crash reports
69
Fire reports
520
Injury reports
Every Buick and Honda Model Ranked
Buick Models
Honda Models
Buick vs Honda Reliability Trend by Year
Buick's reliability is improving — recent model years average 81/100, up from earlier years. Honda's reliability is improving — recent model years average 82/100.
Both makes are trending improving in recent model years — neither is pulling away.
| Model Year | Buick | Honda | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 81/100(4) | 84/100(9) | Honda |
| 2025 | 80/100(4) | 79/100(9) | Buick |
| 2024 | 76/100(4) | 78/100(9) | Honda |
| 2023 | 78/100(3) | 74/100(8) | Buick |
| 2022 | 76/100(4) | 74/100(8) | Buick |
| 2021 | 76/100(4) | 75/100(8) | Buick |
| 2020 | 74/100(5) | 70/100(8) | Buick |
| 2019 | 76/100(5) | 65/100(8) | Buick |
| 2018 | 76/100(5) | 66/100(7) | Buick |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Buick vs Honda: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Buick and Honda. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
Who Should Buy Buick vs Honda?
If you want an SUV with the cleaner complaint record, lean Buick. The Encore is the top Buick, and 2022 is the year to favor. Know its two big issues first: turbocharger failure, and owner reports of front air bags that did not deploy in crashes. Envision, Enclave, Envista and Encore GX also rate good. For a Buick sedan, the 2020 Regal is the year to favor, but check for a false "Shift to Park" message that can drain the battery.
If low yearly cost matters most, lean Honda. The HR-V is the best of the lineup, and 2021 is the year to favor. Skip 2019, where the instrument display can go blank in cold weather, and 2023, where rear hatch glass has shattered with no impact. Civic and Accord are the sedans to start with. Skip the 2025 Prologue, where front axles click in tight turns and dealers often return cars unrepaired. The 2024 is the better pick.
The Bottom Line: Buick or Honda?
Choose Buick if a lower complaint and recall record matters most, especially in an SUV. Choose Honda if you want cheaper upkeep. The $102 yearly gap adds up to about $510 over five years. The strongest single model across both lineups is the Honda HR-V, and 2021 is the year to target.
Buick vs Honda: Common Questions
Is Buick more reliable than Honda?
Which has more recalls, Buick or Honda?
Which is cheaper to repair, Buick or Honda?
What are the most common Honda problems?
Is the Buick Encore a reliable used SUV?
Comparing Buick vs Honda? 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 score Buick and Honda 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.