Last updated: 2026-07-26
Buick vs Volvo: Which Make Is More Reliable?
Buick
7 models tracked
Volvo
5 models tracked
Comparing Buick and Volvo 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 Volvo?
| Metric | Buick | Volvo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 77/100 | 70/100 |
| Models Tracked | 7 | 5 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 6 | 28 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 129 | 136 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $543/yr | $831/yr |
Buick vs Volvo: The Verdict
Buick edges out Volvo on reliability, though both makes have solid options. Across 7 Buick and 5 Volvo models, Buick averages 77/100 to 70/100 — a 7-point gap built from NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and independent repair cost data.
On the cost front, Buick is cheaper to maintain at $543/year versus $831/year. Over 5 years, that's roughly $1440 in savings. That maintenance gap adds up — budget-conscious buyers should factor in that Buick advantage.
Where Buick and Volvo Differ Most
Our reliability score is built from four weighted components. Here's how each make performs in each area:
| Component | Weight | Buick | Volvo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 70/100Good | 67/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 73/100Good | 66/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 90/100Excellent | 73/100Good |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 82/100Excellent | 80/100Excellent |
The biggest gap is in recall impact, where Buick scores 17 points higher. That single component does the most to separate these two makes.
Buick vs Volvo: 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
Volvo
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (70/100 average)
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- 5 of 5 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- High maintenance costs ($831/year avg)
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
How Reliable Are Buick and Volvo Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Buick
Volvo
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Buick or Volvo?
Based on independent repair cost data, Buick is cheaper to maintain at an average of $543/year compared to $831/year for Volvo. That's a difference of $288/year, which adds up significantly over the life of the vehicle.
Buick Repair Cost Range
$466 – $573/yr
Average: $543/yr
Volvo Repair Cost Range
$746 – $976/yr
Average: $831/yr
Buick vs Volvo Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Buick | Volvo | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUVs(5 vs 3 models) | 77/100 | 69/100 | Buick |
| Sedans(2 vs 2 models) | 75/100 | 70/100 | Buick |
Buick wins 2 out of 2 shared categories.
Common Problems: Buick vs Volvo
Top complaint categories from NHTSA owner reports, showing what drivers report most frequently for each make:
| Component | Buick | Volvo |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 22%163 | 35%180 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 13%99 | 13%70 |
| POWER TRAIN | 18%134 | 5%26 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 12%86 | 12%62 |
| ENGINE | 14%105 | 2%13 |
| STEERING | 4%33 | 5%28 |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 0%2 | 7%39 |
| AIR BAGS | 4%28 | 1%4 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0%2 | 4%21 |
| STRUCTURE | 1%4 | 3%18 |
Percentage of total complaints. Raw complaint count shown below. Based on NHTSA owner reports across all tracked model years.
Buick vs Volvo 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. Volvo owners reported 33 crash-related, 6 fire-related, and 35 injury-related complaints. Volvo 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
Volvo
33
Crash reports
6
Fire reports
35
Injury reports
Every Buick and Volvo Model Ranked
All tracked models ranked by average reliability score. Click any model for detailed year-by-year data.
Buick Models
Buick vs Volvo 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. Volvo's reliability has been stable.
| Model Year | Buick | Volvo | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 81/100(4) | 75/100(4) | Buick |
| 2025 | 80/100(4) | 74/100(4) | Buick |
| 2024 | 76/100(4) | 69/100(4) | Buick |
| 2023 | 78/100(3) | 65/100(5) | Buick |
| 2022 | 76/100(4) | 70/100(4) | Buick |
| 2021 | 76/100(4) | 66/100(4) | Buick |
| 2020 | 74/100(5) | 71/100(5) | Buick |
| 2019 | 76/100(5) | 69/100(5) | Buick |
| 2018 | 76/100(5) | 71/100(3) | Buick |
Number in parentheses = models tracked for that year. Scores are averages across all tracked models.
The Bottom Line: Buick or Volvo?
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 Encore leads both lineups with a score of 79/100.
Budget-conscious buyers should note that Buick costs less to maintain — $543/year vs $831/year. Over a typical 5-year ownership period, that adds up to roughly $1440 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 Volvo: Common Questions
Is Buick more reliable than Volvo?
Which is cheaper to maintain, Buick or Volvo?
Which make has more recalls, Buick or Volvo?
What are the most reliable models from Buick and Volvo?
What are the least reliable models from Buick and Volvo?
What are the most common problems with Buick and Volvo vehicles?
Which make has more reliable models overall, Buick or Volvo?
How many Buick and Volvo models does Auto Reliability Index track?
Which make has fewer owner complaints, Buick or Volvo?
Are Buick and Volvo getting more or less reliable?
Which is better for a first-time car buyer, Buick or Volvo?
Which make has fewer safety-related complaints, Buick or Volvo?
Comparing Buick vs Volvo? 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.