Why Buick’s Most Reliable Models Aren’t Built in the U.S.

When it comes to buying a car, reliability often tops the list of priorities. D. S. Vehicle Dependability Study. In the latest 2026 report, Buick secured second place overall for the second year running, and once again claimed the top spot among mass-market brands. But here’s the twist: the brand’s most dependable models are built overseas, not in America.

Buick’s current lineup includes just four models. S. the Enclave, built in Lansing, Michigan, also logged the most complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2025, totaling 35. By contrast, the Envision, built in China at the GM-SAIC Jinqiao plant, had just seven complaints and earned second place in the Compact SUV category.

The Encore GX, produced in Korea, tied for second in the Small SUV segment with only 13 complaints. The Envista, also Korean-built, racked up 27. None of the models are under recall.

The shift to overseas production began during the 2008 financial crisis, when Buick expanded into China and later Korea. That move not only helped the brand survive but also refined manufacturing processes over years, resulting in models with strong reliability profiles. S. in 2016, years of production experience that likely explain its low complaint count.

Buick plans to move Envision production to Missouri by 2028.

D. Power’s study measures problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) based on owner feedback for three-year-old models. This year, the industry average ticked up to 204 PP100, driven largely by glitches in infotainment systems and phone connectivity. Only Lexus beat Buick in the overall ranking, continuing its own long streak of dependability.

For Buick, the data sends a clear message: its foreign-built models are the ones setting the standard.