Last updated: 2026-05-15

Buick vs Jeep: Which Make Is More Reliable?

Comparing Buick and Jeep 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 75/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full breakdown.

Is Buick More Reliable Than Jeep?

MetricBuickJeep
Avg Reliability Score75/10066/100
Models Tracked15
Avg Recalls per Model1067
Avg Complaints per Model2343067

Buick Models

1 models ranked by reliability

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Jeep Models

5 models ranked by reliability

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Buick vs Jeep: The Verdict

Buick holds a modest reliability advantage over Jeep — enough to notice, not enough to be the only factor. The overall picture: Buick scores 75/100 across 1 models, while Jeep comes in at 66/100 across 5 models — all data-driven, no bias.

Where Buick and Jeep Differ Most

Our reliability score is built from four weighted components. Here's how each make performs in each area:

ComponentWeightBuickJeep
Complaint Severity

Owner complaints weighted by component severity

35%
69/100Good
58/100Mixed
Repair Costs

Annual maintenance and repair expenses

30%
70/100Good
69/100Good
Recall Impact

Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside)

20%
90/100Excellent
64/100Good
Issue Diversity

How many different systems have reported problems

15%
82/100Excellent
80/100Excellent

Dig into the components and recall impact stands out — Buick outscores by 26 points there, which carries significant weight in the final number.

Buick vs Jeep: Strengths and Weaknesses

Buick

Strengths

  • Strong overall reliability (75/100 average)
  • Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
  • Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
  • Reliability trending upward in recent model years

Jeep

Strengths

  • Above-average reliability (66/100 average)
  • Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
  • Reasonable maintenance costs ($602/year avg)
  • 4 of 5 models rated Good or Excellent
  • Below-average repair frequency

Weaknesses

  • 199 fire-related complaints across lineup
  • Above-average repair severity when issues occur

Buick vs Jeep Reliability by Vehicle Type

How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:

CategoryBuickJeepWinner
SUVs(1 vs 4 models)75/10068/100Buick

Buick wins 1 out of 1 shared categories.

Common Problems: Buick vs Jeep

Top complaint categories from NHTSA owner reports, showing what drivers report most frequently for each make:

ComponentBuickJeep
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM21%3928%3,939
STEERING3%622%3,149
POWER TRAIN19%3518%2,536
UNKNOWN OR OTHER15%289%1,329
ENGINE13%248%1,109
SERVICE BRAKES18%344%550
SUSPENSION3%444
AIR BAGS2%236
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2%40%52
SEAT BELTS3%60%3

Percentage of total complaints. Raw complaint count shown below. Based on NHTSA owner reports across all tracked model years.

Buick vs Jeep Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries

Across all tracked models, Buick owners reported 9 crash-related, 1 fire-related, and 6 injury-related complaints to NHTSA. Jeep owners reported 484 crash-related, 199 fire-related, and 320 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

9

Crash reports

1

Fire reports

6

Injury reports

Jeep

484

Crash reports

199

Fire reports

320

Injury reports

Every Buick and Jeep Model Ranked

All tracked models ranked by average reliability score. Click any model for detailed year-by-year data.

Buick vs Jeep 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 77/100, up from earlier years. Jeep's reliability has been stable.

Model YearBuickJeepEdge
202577/100(1)74/100(5)Buick
202477/100(1)66/100(5)Buick
202379/100(1)64/100(5)Buick
202276/100(1)61/100(4)Buick
202175/100(1)63/100(5)Buick
202068/100(1)67/100(5)Buick
201975/100(1)67/100(4)Buick
201875/100(1)61/100(4)Buick

Number in parentheses = models tracked for that year. Scores are averages across all tracked models.

The Bottom Line: Buick or Jeep?

The data favors Buick, but remember: the best model from the "losing" make often beats the worst model from the "winning" one.

If you want the single most reliable option: the Buick Enclave leads both lineups with a score of 75/100.

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 Jeep: Common Questions

Is Buick more reliable than Jeep?
Based on our data, Buick is more reliable overall with an average reliability score of 75/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both makes are reasonable choices.
Which make has more recalls, Buick or Jeep?
On a per-model average, Jeep has more recalls (~67 per model) compared to Buick (~10 per model). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — many are minor or preventative.
What are the most reliable models from Buick and Jeep?
The most reliable Buick model is the Enclave (avg score: 75/100), while the most reliable Jeep model is the Compass (avg score: 75/100).
What are the most common problems with Buick and Jeep vehicles?
The most frequently reported issue for Buick is electrical system (21% of complaints), while for Jeep it's electrical system (28% of complaints). These are based on NHTSA owner complaint data across all tracked models.
How many Buick and Jeep models does Auto Reliability Index track?
We track 1 Buick models across 8 model years and 5 Jeep models across 8 model years. Scores are based on NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and independent repair cost data.
Which make has fewer owner complaints, Buick or Jeep?
On a per-model average, Buick has fewer owner complaints (~234 per model) compared to Jeep (~3067 per model). Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
Are Buick and Jeep getting more or less reliable?
Based on recent model year data, Buick reliability is improving while Jeep reliability is stable. We compare average scores across the most recent 3 model years to determine the trend direction.
Which is better for a first-time car buyer, Buick or Jeep?
For first-time buyers prioritizing reliability, Buick has a slight edge with its higher average score. However, specific model choice matters more than make — check individual model pages for the best options in your budget and vehicle type.
Which make has fewer safety-related complaints, Buick or Jeep?
Buick has fewer owner-reported crashes, fires, and injuries in our database. Buick has 9 crash reports, 1 fire reports, and 6 injury reports. Jeep has 484 crash, 199 fire, and 320 injury reports. Note that complaint volume correlates with sales volume.

Comparing Buick vs Jeep? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Look Up a VIN →

Related Make 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

1

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.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

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.

4

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. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.