Last updated: 2026-08-24
Buick Regal vs Volkswagen Passat: Reliability Compared
Buick Regal
Volkswagen Passat
Choosing between the Buick Regal and the Volkswagen Passat? 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 Volkswagen Passat currently leads with an average score of 76/100 compared to 74/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Volkswagen Passat is more reliable than the Buick Regal, scoring 76/100 vs 74/100.
Key Differences
- 1Buick Regal costs $76 less per year to repair
- 2Volkswagen Passat has 5.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Volkswagen Passat has 3% lower major repair risk
Category Scoreboard
Buick Regal vs Volkswagen Passat: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Buick Regal | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 74/100 | 76/100 |
| Years Tracked | 3 | 5 |
| Total Recalls | 8 | 9 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 14.5 | 9.4 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $563/yr | $639/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.2/yr | 0.4/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 12% | 9% |
| Year Wins | 1 (1 tied) | 1 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Regal and Volkswagen Passat?
| Component | Buick Regal | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2.6Low | 1.5Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1.9Low | 1.6Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.5Low | 0.6Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.5Low | 0.3Very Low |
| ENGINE | —None | 0.9Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.7Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.7Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STEERING | —None | 0.7Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | —None | 0.6Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.2Very Low |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Buick Regal vs Volkswagen Passat Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Buick Regal | Volkswagen Passat | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 75/1002R / 2C | 75/1003R / 15C | Tie |
| 2019 | 73/1003R / 18C | 77/1001R / 12C | Volkswagen Passat |
| 2018 | 74/1003R / 19C | 71/1004R / 45C | Buick Regal |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Buick Regal scored 75/100 and the 2019 Volkswagen Passat scored 77/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Buick Regal vs Volkswagen Passat: Common Questions
- Is the Buick Regal more reliable than the Volkswagen Passat?
- Based on our data, the Volkswagen Passat is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Buick Regal or the Volkswagen Passat?
- The Volkswagen Passat has more recalls (9) compared to the Buick Regal (8). 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 Regal or the Volkswagen Passat?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Volkswagen Passat has a lower complaint rate at 9.4 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 14.5 for the Buick Regal. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Buick Regal or the Volkswagen Passat?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Buick Regal is cheaper to maintain at $563/year versus $639/year for the Volkswagen Passat.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Buick Regal comparisons
Decided between Buick Regal and Volkswagen Passat? 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.
See incorrect data? Report an issue