Last updated: 2026-07-26
Buick vs Mercedes-Benz: Which Make Is More Reliable?
Buick
7 models tracked
Mercedes-Benz
10 models tracked
Comparing Buick and Mercedes-Benz 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 60/100. Scroll down for the full breakdown.
Is Buick More Reliable Than Mercedes-Benz?
| Metric | Buick | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 77/100 | 60/100 |
| Models Tracked | 7 | 10 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 6 | 192 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 129 | 583 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $543/yr | $858/yr |
Buick vs Mercedes-Benz: The Verdict
If reliability is your priority, Buick makes a stronger case than Mercedes-Benz by a wide margin. The overall picture: Buick scores 77/100 across 7 models, while Mercedes-Benz comes in at 60/100 across 10 models — all data-driven, no bias.
On the cost front, Buick is cheaper to maintain at $543/year versus $858/year. Over 5 years, that's roughly $1575 in savings. The repair cost gap might seem small year-to-year, but over a typical 5-year ownership period it compounds into meaningful savings for Buick owners.
Where Buick and Mercedes-Benz Differ Most
Our reliability score is built from four weighted components. Here's how each make performs in each area:
| Component | Weight | Buick | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 70/100Good | 61/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 73/100Good | 54/100Mixed |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 90/100Excellent | 59/100Mixed |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 82/100Excellent | 79/100Good |
Dig into the components and recall impact stands out — Buick outscores by 31 points there, which carries significant weight in the final number.
Buick vs Mercedes-Benz: 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
Mercedes-Benz
Strengths
- Above-average reliability (60/100 average)
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- High maintenance costs ($858/year avg)
- 6 of 10 models rated Mixed or Poor
- 80 fire-related complaints across lineup
How Reliable Are Buick and Mercedes-Benz Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Buick
Mercedes-Benz
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Buick or Mercedes-Benz?
Based on independent repair cost data, Buick is cheaper to maintain at an average of $543/year compared to $858/year for Mercedes-Benz. That's a difference of $315/year, which adds up significantly over the life of the vehicle.
Buick Repair Cost Range
$466 – $573/yr
Average: $543/yr
Mercedes-Benz Repair Cost Range
$807 – $908/yr
Average: $858/yr
Buick vs Mercedes-Benz Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Buick | Mercedes-Benz | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUVs(5 vs 3 models) | 77/100 | 69/100 | Buick |
| Sedans(2 vs 6 models) | 75/100 | 55/100 | Buick |
Buick wins 2 out of 2 shared categories.
Common Problems: Buick vs Mercedes-Benz
Top complaint categories from NHTSA owner reports, showing what drivers report most frequently for each make:
| Component | Buick | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 22%163 | 23%842 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 13%99 | 16%579 |
| ENGINE | 14%105 | 15%563 |
| POWER TRAIN | 18%134 | 11%387 |
| STEERING | 4%33 | 7%250 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 12%86 | 5%172 |
| STRUCTURE | 1%4 | 4%155 |
| AIR BAGS | 4%28 | 3%119 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 1%4 | 3%127 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2%18 | 0%15 |
Percentage of total complaints. Raw complaint count shown below. Based on NHTSA owner reports across all tracked model years.
Buick vs Mercedes-Benz 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. Mercedes-Benz owners reported 237 crash-related, 80 fire-related, and 241 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
Mercedes-Benz
237
Crash reports
80
Fire reports
241
Injury reports
Every Buick and Mercedes-Benz Model Ranked
All tracked models ranked by average reliability score. Click any model for detailed year-by-year data.
Buick Models
Mercedes-Benz Models
Buick vs Mercedes-Benz 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. Mercedes-Benz's reliability is improving — recent model years average 67/100.
Both makes are trending improving in recent model years — neither is pulling away.
| Model Year | Buick | Mercedes-Benz | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 81/100(4) | 71/100(6) | Buick |
| 2025 | 80/100 | — | — |
| 2024 | 76/100(4) | 62/100(9) | Buick |
| 2023 | 78/100(3) | 63/100(8) | Buick |
| 2022 | 76/100(4) | 59/100(9) | Buick |
| 2021 | 76/100(4) | 57/100(8) | Buick |
| 2020 | 74/100(5) | 57/100(8) | Buick |
| 2019 | 76/100(5) | 56/100(7) | Buick |
| 2018 | 76/100(5) | 56/100(6) | Buick |
Number in parentheses = models tracked for that year. Scores are averages across all tracked models.
Buick vs Mercedes-Benz: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Buick and Mercedes-Benz. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
The Bottom Line: Buick or Mercedes-Benz?
If reliability is a top priority, Buick deserves serious consideration over its rival.
If you want the single most reliable option: the Buick Encore leads both lineups with a score of 79/100.
Budget-conscious buyers should note that Buick costs less to maintain — $543/year vs $858/year. Over a typical 5-year ownership period, that adds up to roughly $1575 in savings.
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 Mercedes-Benz: Common Questions
Is Buick more reliable than Mercedes-Benz?
Which is cheaper to maintain, Buick or Mercedes-Benz?
Which make has more recalls, Buick or Mercedes-Benz?
What are the most reliable models from Buick and Mercedes-Benz?
What are the least reliable models from Buick and Mercedes-Benz?
What are the most common problems with Buick and Mercedes-Benz vehicles?
Which make has more reliable models overall, Buick or Mercedes-Benz?
How many Buick and Mercedes-Benz models does Auto Reliability Index track?
Which make has fewer owner complaints, Buick or Mercedes-Benz?
Are Buick and Mercedes-Benz getting more or less reliable?
Which is better for a first-time car buyer, Buick or Mercedes-Benz?
Which make has fewer safety-related complaints, Buick or Mercedes-Benz?
Comparing Buick vs Mercedes-Benz? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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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. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.