Last updated: 2026-10-10
Buick vs Mazda: Reliability Compared
Buick
7 models tracked
Mazda
7 models tracked
Buick edges out Mazda on reliability, mostly on recalls and complaint severity. The lead is slight. Both brands rate good, Mazda's CX-5 is the best single model in either lineup, and Mazda owners file more complaints for each car sold.
Is Buick More Reliable Than Mazda?
| Metric | Buick | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 77/100 | 75/100 |
| Models Tracked | 7 | 7 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 6 | 14 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 129 | 480 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $543/yr | $500/yr |
Buick vs Mazda: The Verdict
A slight edge goes to Buick. Federal recall records show far fewer recalls for Buick than for Mazda, and owners file fewer complaints per car sold. Fewer of Buick's complaints involve crashes or injuries too. Repair costs come out even, and problems are spread across systems in a similar way for both.
The split by body style matters. Buick is stronger among SUVs, while Mazda is stronger among sedans. Mazda's weak spot is the engine, which draws more than a quarter of its complaints. Buick's most common complaints are electrical.
Where Buick and Mazda Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Buick | Mazda |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 70/100Good | 66/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 73/100Good | 72/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 90/100Excellent | 84/100Excellent |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 82/100Excellent | 82/100Excellent |
Where they diverge most: recall impact. Buick has a 6-point edge in that component, which accounts for much of the reliability gap.
Buick vs Mazda: 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
Mazda
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (75/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reasonable maintenance costs ($500/year avg)
- 6 of 7 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
How Reliable Are Buick and Mazda Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Buick
Mazda
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Buick or Mazda?
Based on independent repair cost data, Mazda is cheaper to maintain at an average of $500/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
Mazda Repair Cost Range
$433 – $581/yr
Average: $500/yr
Buick vs Mazda Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Buick | Mazda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUVs(5 vs 5 models) | 77/100 | 70/100 | Buick |
| Sedans(2 vs 2 models) | 75/100 | 78/100 | Mazda |
The makes split categories evenly at 1–1.
Common Problems: Buick vs Mazda
| Component | Buick | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 14%105 | 27%760 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 22%163 | 16%440 |
| POWER TRAIN | 18%134 | 11%307 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 14%107 | 12%333 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 12%86 | 6%179 |
| STEERING | 4%31 | 5%150 |
| AIR BAGS | 4%28 | 4%105 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | — | 4%110 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2%18 | 0%2 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Buick vs Mazda Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Buick
42
Crash reports
5
Fire reports
37
Injury reports
Mazda
203
Crash reports
15
Fire reports
127
Injury reports
Every Buick and Mazda Model Ranked
Buick Models
Buick vs Mazda Reliability Trend by Year
Buick's reliability is improving — recent model years average 81/100, up from earlier years. Mazda's reliability has been stable.
| Model Year | Buick | Mazda | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 81/100(4) | 81/100(6) | Tie |
| 2025 | 80/100(4) | 72/100(6) | Buick |
| 2024 | 76/100(4) | 69/100(6) | Buick |
| 2023 | 78/100(3) | 75/100(6) | Buick |
| 2022 | 76/100(4) | 79/100(5) | Mazda |
| 2021 | 76/100(4) | 74/100(5) | Buick |
| 2020 | 74/100(5) | 76/100(4) | Mazda |
| 2019 | 76/100(5) | 75/100(4) | Buick |
| 2018 | 76/100(5) | 72/100(4) | Buick |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Buick vs Mazda: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Buick and Mazda. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
Who Should Buy Buick vs Mazda?
If you want an SUV with the cleanest record, look at the Mazda CX-5, ideally a 2022, which has few complaints and no recalls. Skip the 2018 CX-5, where cracked cylinder heads leak oil onto the exhaust. Be wary of early CX-90 years unless you can have one inspected closely. The 2024 has steering binding in long highway curves and, on the plug-in hybrid, sudden power loss.
If you want fewer recalls and a calmer complaint history, shop Buick. The Encore, Envista and Envision all rate good. A 2022 Encore is the site's pick, but check for turbocharger failure and read the owner reports on air bags that did not deploy. For a Buick sedan, the 2020 Regal is the year to favor. Test it for the false "Shift to Park" message and slow restarts from the stop-start system. Sedan shoppers who want the stronger brand should also look at the Mazda 3 or Mazda 5.
The Bottom Line: Buick or Mazda?
Recall history and complaint severity point to Buick, while the best single used model is the Mazda CX-5, and Mazda is the stronger pick for sedans. Mazda also costs less to keep up, about $43 a year, or roughly $215 over five years. That gap is small. A clean 2022 CX-5 is the strongest pick across both lineups.
Buick vs Mazda: Common Questions
Is Buick more reliable than Mazda?
Which brand has more recalls, Buick or Mazda?
Is Mazda cheaper to repair than Buick?
What problems do Mazdas have most often?
What problems do Buicks have most often?
Comparing Buick vs Mazda? 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 Mazda 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.