Are Buicks Reliable?

Since it has been making cars for more than a century, Buick has gained some degree of respectability. However, if you are in the market for a Buick, you still have to do your due diligence. In this article, I’ll answer the question: are Buicks reliable?

As one of America’s long-time car manufacturers, Buick has a modest model lineup of vehicles. This car brand is one of the country’s most reliable domestic automakers. It ranks in the top five among all American car brands in the United States.

For the past couple of years, Buick has been enjoying a reputation as one of the most dependable car brands in the market. In 2018, Buick was named by J.D. Power as its “highest rated dependability brand.” Among the car models that brought this distinction to Buick is its flagship model, LaCrosses.

Read on to learn more about Buick cars and whether they are reliable.

Being an American car manufacturer for over 100 years, Buick has earned a distinction as a reliable car brand. Currently, Buick is the most dependable domestic car manufacturer. It ranks among the top five car brands in the United States.

In 2018, J.D. Power distinguished Buick as the “highest rated dependability brand.” What brought this honor to Buick is its flagship model, LaCrosse, year model 2018. Another Buick vehicle with ‘great’ reliability scores is the Buick Encore, a compact SUV.

The individual rating of the Encore is not the highest. Still, this model line has only reported three recalls since 2019, consisting of one GM-based airbag recall and two consecutive years of power train manufacture recalls.

Are Buicks reliable cars? Buick vehicles are also long-lasting. The average lifespan of a Buick vehicle can reach up to 200,000 miles. Owners of Buick vehicles have reported that their cars have lasted from 150,000 to 200,000 miles.

Is Buick a Good Car to Buy?

Well-established As a Car Brand

Buick is already well-established as a car brand since it has been manufacturing its vehicles for over 100 years. Being in the car-making industry for that long, this brand has earned a reputation for being dependable.

However, like every car manufacturer, some models will be more reliable than others. So, if you are buying a new Buick model, you should research which models are the most reliable and the ones you should avoid.

More Affordable Than Luxury Car Brands

Buick models in the United States are one of the most popular car brands because of their lower cost than luxury car brands like Mercedes Benz or Lexus. The market position of most Buick cars is between luxury and mainstream brands.

Equipped With Infotainment Systems and Well-crafted Interiors

Most Buick car models are refined and upscale. They have straightforward infotainment systems and well-crafted interiors. However, most Buick models won’t win in the gas-saving contest of most modern cars.

SUV Buick Models

There are only four SUV Buick models at present. They are the Envision, The Encore G.X., the Encore, and the Enclave. A couple of years ago, Buick had stopped its production of sedans. The company turned its focus on making family-based crossover vehicles.

Best Domestic Car Made in America

Buick achieved a 14-position improvement in 2019 compared to 2018. This is due to the absence of problems and the consistency of its small model lineup.

For those looking for the most reliable car made in America, Buick is the best domestic car in the market today.

Buick’s Short History

David Buick established the Buick Motor Company in 1899. After five years, in 1904, Buick released its Model B. In its early days, Buick was a pioneering company. It was in the 1920s when Buick released a car equipped with four-wheel brakes, the first car brand to do so.

In the 1950s and the 1960s, Buick also introduced power steering and power brakes in its vehicles, the first car brand to do so. By the 1980s, Buick established popularity due to the Regal Grand National and other models.

The Buick GNX, at that time, earned the distinction of being the fastest car made in America.

Buick seemed to have recently departed from its signature sporty, blocky, full-size sedans. It focused its efforts on producing crossovers and high-end SUVs.

Are Buicks Good Reliable Cars?

Has an Above-average Rating Regarding Reliability

Considering the rankings made by the 2022 Consumer Reports, you will find that the Buick car brand has an above-average rating regarding reliability.

Placed 11th Out of 32 Car Brands

Out of 32 car brands that this ranking company considered, Buick came up at the number 11 position. This car brand earned an overall score of 72/100.

Less Reliable Than Top-selling Japanese Brands

However, compared to top-selling Japanese car brands like Mazda and Toyota, Buick is less reliable. But when it comes to domestic car makers, Buick got the highest score of all U.S. car brands. This means it is more reliable than Chevrolet or Ford.

Ranked Second in the 2022 J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study

Additionally, in the 2022 J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, Buick came second on the list. In other words, owners of Buick vehicles suffered fewer problems during their first three years of vehicle ownership than other car brands.

Ranks Among the Top Five Most Reliable Car Brands

Also, according to Consumer Reports and J.D. Power, Buick ranks among the top five most reliable car brands. Buick ranked directly behind Kia and Toyota, which ranked third and fourth, respectively. But these three car brands ranked above many other popular car brands such as Mazda and Nissan.

Topping the list is Lexus, followed by Porsche. Buick is the most reliable luxury brand if the value for money is considered. Over the past four years, Buick has outranked Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC, and other G.M. vehicles.

Most Reliable Buick Models

As I’ve mentioned at the beginning of this article, Buick’s model lineup is mostly reliable, like most other car manufacturers. That does not negate the fact that there are Buick models that are not so reliable. So, what are the most reliable Buick car models?

1. Buick LaCrosse, Year Model 2018

The car model that helped Buick become the “highest rated dependability brand” is its flagship model, the 2018 Buick LaCrosse. This car is a premium sedan that can accommodate five passengers.

It offers a solid but comfortable ride, luxurious interior treatments, and a stylish exterior. Buick also equipped this car with some innovative components. They include a mild-hybrid four-cylinder powertrain and an option of a 3.6-liter V6 engine that can stretch the vehicle’s life.

The standard model offers a remarkable city/highway fuel consumption of 29 miles per gallon and good drivability. Luxury is also one of the things this car provides. It comes with an 8-inch color touchscreen infotainment system and the standard dual-zone automatic climate control.

2. Buick Regal GS, Year Model 2012

Under the hood of this Buick vehicle is the award-winning 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that can deliver 270 horsepower. It’s fast because it only takes around six seconds to reach the speed of 60 miles per hour.

This is a sporty vehicle because of its lower suspension and wider tires, providing a superior ride. An owner of this particular car model can count on its Buick Regal reliability.

3. Buick Envision, Year Model 2020

This five-passenger car is ideal for a family who wishes to travel in style. Its smaller size makes it very easy to maneuver into narrow streets and tight parking spaces. While it is one of the most affordable Buick vehicles, it still offers the best features at its price point.

As for its Buick Envision reliability, this car didn’t sacrifice its dependability in exchange for its comfort features.

4. Buick Encore, Year Model 2019

The 2019 Buick Encore received “great” reliability scores from some rating agencies. So, it can be considered one of the most reliable compact SUVs in the Buick product lineup. It is not the highest in individual ratings.

But since 2019, it only reported three total recalls, one GM-based airbag recall, and two power train manufacture recalls in two consecutive years. So, by and large, the Buick Encore 2019 is a dependable vehicle in the Buick lineup.

5. Buick Enclave Avenir, Year Model 2018

This premium SUV version of Buick was intended to give the BMW and Audi SUVs a run for their money. 2018 is powered by a 310-hp, 3.6-liter turbo V6 engine that will make it easy for the driver to overtake even a fast-moving vehicle on the highway.

Aside from the standard automatic transmission, this model offers an all-wheel drive option for more on-road traction and stability.

The Buick Enclave Avenir offers superior performance on different road surfaces. Its Buick Enclave reliability score is very high, making it one of the best vehicles in Buick’s lineup.

Again, are Buicks reliable? Buick is the most reliable domestic automaker. It is also included in the top five most reliable car brands.

Least Reliable Buick Models

1. Buick Rainier – Year Model 2007

The exterior styling of this Buick car is not very appealing. Some have even commented that it is one of Buick’s worst vehicles. They say its suspension was horrible, it doesn’t offer good numbers on fuel economy, and the interior appointments are lackluster.

More importantly, its safety score is very low. Due to its door and window switches that can start a fire, there was a massive recall of this particular Buick car model. To solve these issues, Buick replaced this model with the Enclave.

2. Buick Encore GX, Year Model 2014

Buick has received mixed reviews from car owners regarding its Encore models. Some owners gave good reviews about the vehicle, but others have only bad words against it. One of the issues was that it was difficult to unlock the doors, even using the key fob.

In addition, the gauges on the dash tend to dim, even if the unit is brand new. Another issue is that of the battery. It tends to die early. These electrical issues have disconcerted a lot of owners. And worst of all, the Encore had experienced four recalls, making it a difficult car to own and maintain.

Benefits of Owning a Buick

If you can find and buy the right Buick for your needs and budget, you will get the most value out of your money. Here are some of the things that Buick vehicles offer:

1. Fun to Drive

Considering the price points of Buick vehicles and the features they offer, such as luxurious interiors, comfy seats, and powerful engine performance, you can say that these are fun to drive.

An SUV that can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.6 seconds is pretty fast for a regular SUV crossover.

2. Have Premium Features at Affordable Prices

Buick has an SUV rated very high by Edmunds.com and Car and Driver. This is the 2022 Buick Encore.

This car has premium interior features, large seating capacity, ample cargo space, and many more. Some of the premium features that you will like in this particular Buick car are the following:

Very affordable price at only $25,595
Active Noise Cancellation – results in very little road noise and quieter rides.
Stylish body – its design is comparable to other luxury brands’ SUVs.
Small body design – one of the smallest crossovers that offer easy maneuvering in tight parking spaces and narrow streets.

Are Buicks Safe to Drive?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has awarded the Buick Enclave high safety ratings. The IIHS also named this Buick vehicle its Top Safety Pick.

The table below will give you the details about the safety ratings of three Buick Models for 2021:

Buick Model	IIHS Rating	NHTSA Rating	Recalls
Enclave	Good	5 out of 5	2
Envision	Good (moderate child seat anchors)	5 out of 5	1
Encore	Good (moderate headlights)	5 out of 5	0

To bolster the safety of every Buick vehicle, the car maker equips most Buick vehicles with Buick Driver Confidence. This is s suite of innovative safety and driver-assistance technologies. This suite includes the following features:

Sensors automatically turn on and off the high beams according to traffic conditions.
Lane-keeping assists – this can briefly take control of the steering. This ensures that the car won’t drift out of its proper lane.
Forward collision alerts will warn if there’s a risk of collision with a pedestrian or another car. It will also automatically apply the brakes if required.
Following distance indicator – this feature measures the gap between the car and the car in front. It warns the driver if they follow the vehicle in front too closely.

Are Buicks Fuel Saver?

Buicks are in the category of SUVs, so you can’t expect them to be frugal on gas. But for their size, they can still get average fuel efficiency. In other words, you won’t be forced to spend more than what you will spend on gas if you use other SUV brands.

Here is a table that will show you the average fuel consumption of Buick vehicles:

Buick Model	Highway	City	Combined
Enclave	25 mpg	17 mpg	20 mpg
Envision	29 mpg	22 mpg	25 mpg
Encore	29 mpg	24 mpg	26 mpg

Are Buicks Expensive to Maintain?

Based on the records from RepairPal.com, the average Buick owner spends around $608 per year on vehicle repairs. The average annual repair cost in the United States is about $652.

So, Buick’s annual maintenance cost is even below average. You can even reduce your yearly maintenance cost if you follow the maintenance schedule of your Buick religiously.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you still have some questions that you want to be answered, continue reading the rest of this article, and you may find your answers as you go along:

Is Buick a Reliable Car Brand?

If you are talking about domestic car makers, Buick is a reliable car brand. Some people believe that Buick is the most reliable American car brand in the market today. They say this car brand ranks among the top five brands in the U.S. market.

The Buick brand is the only American car among the top 10 dependable vehicles in the U.S. Consumer Reports rankings.

How Long Do Buick Vehicles Last?

On average, a Buick vehicle that is used well and maintained well can last up to 200,000 miles. Of course, the life of any car depends on how it is used and maintained.

Which Buick Model Is the Most Reliable?

The most dependable of all Buick vehicles is the Buick Encore. Its rating is not the highest, but since 2019, it only has received three total recalls, one GM-related airbag recall, and power train manufacture recalls in two consecutive years.

In Closing: Can You Depend on a Buick?

Buick has demonstrated its vehicles’ reliability as one of the oldest car manufacturers in America. Its model lineup of vehicles is modest compared to its competitors.

Buick is regarded as one of the country’s most reliable domestic automakers. It ranks among the top five all-American car brands in the United States.

For the past couple of years, this car brand has been popular as one of the most dependable car brands in the market.

In 2018, J.D. Power named Buick its “highest rated dependability brand.” Among the car models that brought this distinction to Buick is its flagship model LaCrosse.