Last updated: 2026-08-24
Buick Lacrosse vs Genesis G80: Reliability Compared
Buick Lacrosse
Genesis G80
Choosing between the Buick Lacrosse and the Genesis G80? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize sedans.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Buick Lacrosse currently leads with an average score of 76/100 compared to 69/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Buick Lacrosse is more reliable than the Genesis G80, scoring 76/100 vs 69/100.
Key Differences
- 1Buick Lacrosse has 31.7 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 2Buick Lacrosse has 23 fewer total recalls
- 3Buick Lacrosse scores 7 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Buick Lacrosse vs Genesis G80: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Buick Lacrosse | Genesis G80 |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 76/100 | 69/100 |
| Years Tracked | 2 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 5 | 28 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 7.9 | 39.6 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2019 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 2 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Lacrosse and Genesis G80?
| Component | Buick Lacrosse | Genesis G80 |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.3Low | 7.7Above Avg |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.3Low | 5.1Average |
| ENGINE | 2.2Low | 2.9Low |
| STEERING | —None | 4.1Average |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.9Very Low | 1.7Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | —None | 2.4Low |
| WHEELS | —None | 1.9Low |
| AIR BAGS | —None | 1.7Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.9Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| TIRES | —None | 1.2Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 1Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | 0.7Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | 0.7Very Low |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Buick Lacrosse vs Genesis G80 Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Buick Lacrosse | Genesis G80 | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 76/1002R / 6C | 66/1003R / 27C | Buick Lacrosse |
| 2018 | 75/1003R / 12C | 55/1006R / 94C | Buick Lacrosse |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2019 Buick Lacrosse scored 76/100 and the 2019 Genesis G80 scored 66/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Buick Lacrosse vs Genesis G80: Common Questions
- Is the Buick Lacrosse more reliable than the Genesis G80?
- Based on our data, the Buick Lacrosse is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 69/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Buick Lacrosse or the Genesis G80?
- The Genesis G80 has more recalls (28) compared to the Buick Lacrosse (5). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Buick Lacrosse or the Genesis G80?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Lacrosse has a lower complaint rate at 7.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 39.6 for the Genesis G80. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Buick Lacrosse or Genesis G80 safer?
- Both the Buick Lacrosse and Genesis G80 received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Buick Lacrosse comparisons
Decided between Buick Lacrosse and Genesis G80? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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.
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