Last updated: 2026-08-24
Buick vs Hyundai: Which Make Is More Reliable?
Buick
7 models tracked
Hyundai
10 models tracked
Comparing Buick and Hyundai 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 70/100. Scroll down for the full breakdown.
Is Buick More Reliable Than Hyundai?
| Metric | Buick | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 77/100 | 70/100 |
| Models Tracked | 7 | 10 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 6 | 23 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 129 | 1001 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $543/yr | $492/yr |
Buick vs Hyundai: The Verdict
Buick holds a modest reliability advantage over Hyundai — enough to notice, not enough to be the only factor. The overall picture: Buick scores 77/100 across 7 models, while Hyundai comes in at 70/100 across 10 models — all data-driven, no bias.
On the cost front, Hyundai is cheaper to maintain at $492/year versus $543/year. The repair cost gap might seem small year-to-year, but over a typical 5-year ownership period it compounds into meaningful savings for Hyundai owners.
Where Buick and Hyundai Differ Most
Our reliability score is built from four weighted components. Here's how each make performs in each area:
| Component | Weight | Buick | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 70/100Good | 61/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 73/100Good | 68/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 90/100Excellent | 76/100Good |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 82/100Excellent | 82/100Excellent |
Dig into the components and recall impact stands out — Buick outscores by 14 points there, which carries significant weight in the final number.
Buick vs Hyundai: 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
Hyundai
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (70/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Very affordable maintenance ($492/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 9 of 10 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 126 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
How Reliable Are Buick and Hyundai Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Buick
Hyundai
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Buick or Hyundai?
Based on independent repair cost data, Hyundai is cheaper to maintain at an average of $492/year compared to $543/year for Buick. 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
Hyundai Repair Cost Range
$426 – $573/yr
Average: $492/yr
Buick vs Hyundai Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Buick | Hyundai | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUVs(5 vs 6 models) | 77/100 | 67/100 | Buick |
| Sedans(2 vs 3 models) | 75/100 | 75/100 | Tie |
Buick wins 1 out of 2 shared categories.
Common Problems: Buick vs Hyundai
Top complaint categories from NHTSA owner reports, showing what drivers report most frequently for each make:
| Component | Buick | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 22%163 | 20%1,751 |
| ENGINE | 14%105 | 18%1,626 |
| POWER TRAIN | 18%134 | 15%1,289 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 13%99 | 13%1,130 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 12%86 | 9%754 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1%6 | 4%329 |
| STEERING | 4%33 | 3%278 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1%11 | 3%299 |
| AIR BAGS | 4%28 | 2%135 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2%18 | 1%66 |
Percentage of total complaints. Raw complaint count shown below. Based on NHTSA owner reports across all tracked model years.
Buick vs Hyundai 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. Hyundai owners reported 396 crash-related, 126 fire-related, and 328 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
Hyundai
396
Crash reports
126
Fire reports
328
Injury reports
Every Buick and Hyundai Model Ranked
All tracked models ranked by average reliability score. Click any model for detailed year-by-year data.
Buick Models
Hyundai Models
Buick vs Hyundai 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. Hyundai's reliability is improving — recent model years average 75/100.
Both makes are trending improving in recent model years — neither is pulling away.
| Model Year | Buick | Hyundai | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 81/100(4) | 76/100(10) | Buick |
| 2025 | 80/100(4) | 74/100(10) | Buick |
| 2024 | 76/100(4) | 72/100(10) | Buick |
| 2023 | 78/100(3) | 67/100(10) | Buick |
| 2022 | 76/100(4) | 64/100(9) | Buick |
| 2021 | 76/100(4) | 69/100(7) | Buick |
| 2020 | 74/100(5) | 66/100(7) | Buick |
| 2019 | 76/100(5) | 68/100(5) | Buick |
| 2018 | 76/100(5) | 67/100(5) | Buick |
Number in parentheses = models tracked for that year. Scores are averages across all tracked models.
Buick vs Hyundai: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Buick and Hyundai. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
The Bottom Line: Buick or Hyundai?
Buick has the edge, but don't let a modest score gap override other factors like price, features, and dealer experience.
If you want the single most reliable option: the Hyundai Elantra leads both lineups with a score of 80/100.
Budget-conscious buyers should note that Hyundai costs less to maintain — $492/year vs $543/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 Hyundai: Common Questions
Is Buick more reliable than Hyundai?
Which is cheaper to maintain, Buick or Hyundai?
Which make has more recalls, Buick or Hyundai?
What are the most reliable models from Buick and Hyundai?
What are the least reliable models from Buick and Hyundai?
What are the most common problems with Buick and Hyundai vehicles?
Which make has more reliable models overall, Buick or Hyundai?
How many Buick and Hyundai models does Auto Reliability Index track?
Which make has fewer owner complaints, Buick or Hyundai?
Are Buick and Hyundai getting more or less reliable?
Which is better for a first-time car buyer, Buick or Hyundai?
Which make has fewer safety-related complaints, Buick or Hyundai?
Comparing Buick vs Hyundai? 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.