Buick Regal reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 636 complaints about the Buick Regal with NHTSA since 2010, most often about engine and electrical system. Buick has filed 16 warranty extensions and 19 service campaigns for it, and there are 17 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Buick Regal? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Regal a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 636
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 16
- Filed by Buick
- Service campaigns
- 19
- Filed by Buick
- Safety recalls
- 17
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Regal with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | Tires (50%) | 2 | 4 |
| 2019 | 19 | Electrical system (37%) | 3 | 4 |
| 2018 | 19 | Brakes (37%) | 3 | 6 |
| 2017 | 20 | Brakes (35%) | 0 | 3 |
| 2016 | 41 | Steering (24%) | 1 | 2 |
| 2015 | 33 | Engine (27%) | 0 | 7 |
| 2014 | 38 | Engine (24%) | 2 | 4 |
| 2013 | 91 | Exterior lights (41%) | 6 | 6 |
| 2012 | 92 | Exterior lights (36%) | 7 | 8 |
| 2011 | 280 | Engine (39%) | 4 | 22 |
| 2010 | 1 | Engine (100%) | 0 | 3 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Regal model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Buick
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Buick filed with NHTSA for the Regal, in its own words. A warranty extension means Buick pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionMay 2024· Electrical system· model years 2017–2020
This service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period.
- Warranty extensionJun 2020· Engine· model years 2018
Special Coverage Adjustment - Certain 2016-2018 model year Chevrolet Malibu, 2017-2018 model year Buick LaCrosse, and 2018 model year Buick Regal vehicles may have a condition which affects the electrical connection to one of the vehicle?s accelerator pedal position sensors.
- Warranty extensionNov 2018· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2014
Special Coverage. Some vehicles equipped with a 2.0L turbo engine, may have a condition where a wire within the exhaust camshaft position actuator solenoid valve may break.
- Warranty extensionJun 2017· Equipment and accessories· model years 2011
12313D - Special Coverage. On some vehicles, equipped with a 2.4L engine (RPO LAF), the chrome layer on the balance chain pins may wear, allowing the chain to stretch.
- Warranty extensionSep 2016· Fuel system· model years 2011
12313C - Special Coverage. Bulletin was revised to remove special coverage adjustment for the fuel pump that is now included in Voluntary Emissions Recall 43180. Updates have been made to the Part Information, Service Procedure, and Warranty Transaction Information sections.
- Warranty extensionOct 2015· Engine and cooling· model years 2010–2011
14582A - Special Coverage (2012 model year Buick Enclave, Lacrosse, Regal; Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles have been removed).
- Warranty extensionSep 2015· Engine and cooling· model years 2010–2012
14582 - Special Coverage. On some 2008 model year (MY) Saturn Outlook; 2008-2009 MY Buick Allure, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac G8, Pontiac Montana SV6, Pontiac Torrent, and Saturn VUE; 2008-2010 MY Hummer H3 and Pontiac G6; 2008-2011 MY Cadillac CTS, Cadillac…
- Warranty extensionMar 2015· Engine· model years 2011–2013
14882 - special coverage. Certain vehicles equipped with a 2.4L engine (laf, lea or luk) that have experienced high oil consumption may also experience a frozen and/or plugged pcv (positive crankcase ventilation) system during cold weather operation.
- Warranty extensionAug 2014· Fuel system· model years 2013
14289 - special coverage. On some vehicles, equipped with E85 flex fuel capability (fhs), the flexible fuel sensor may become inoperative during normal operation due to an electrical failure caused by road salt and other environmental contaminants.
- Warranty extensionOct 2013· Mobility equipment· model years 2011
12313B - Special Coverage (revised warranty information). The chrome layer on the balance chain pins may wear, allowing the chain to stretch.
- Warranty extensionOct 2013· Fuel system· model years 2011
Some model vehicles, the chain is allow to stretch due to balance chain pins wearing and this cause engine noises and chain could break, damaging engine. Models 2010-11 Lacrosse, 2011 Regal, 2010-11 Equinox, terrain. *pe updated 12/6/13.
- Warranty extensionOct 2013· Fuel system· model years 2011
Special Coverage Adjustment - Engine Balance Chain and Fuel Pump - Equipped with 2.4L Engine (LAF)
- Warranty extensionJul 2013· Engine· model years 2011
12313A - Special Coverage (revised part information). The chrome layer on the balance chain pins may wear, allowing the chain to stretch.
- Warranty extensionJul 2013· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2011
12313 - Special Coverage. The chrome layer on the balance chain pins may wear, allowing the chain to stretch.
- Warranty extensionJul 2013· Fuel system· model years 2011
Special Coverage Adjustment - Engine Balance Chain and Fuel Pump - Equipped with 2.4L Engine (LAF)
- Warranty extensionJul 2013· Engine and cooling· model years 2011
Special Coverage Adjustment - Engine Balance Chain and Fuel Pump - Equipped with 2.4L Engine (LAF)
- Service campaignJun 2025· Other or unspecified· model years 2018–2020
Amendments to the Song-Beverly Act (SBA) California warranty law provides vehicle owners with an opportunity to submit a written notice to GM before filing a lawsuit seeking a vehicle repurchase.
- Service campaignJun 2025· Other or unspecified· model years 2018–2020
Amendments to the Song-Beverly Act (SBA) California warranty law provides vehicle owners with an opportunity to submit a written notice to GM before filing a lawsuit seeking a vehicle repurchase.
- Service campaignAug 2024· Electrical system· model years 2010–2020
Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles.
- Service campaignAug 2019· Mobility equipment· model years 2017
N192218430 - Customer Satisfaction Program. During service, certain vehicles equipped with OnStar (RPO UE1), may have received an incorrect and partially programmed/configured replacement OnStar module.
- Service campaignOct 2018· Equipment and accessories· model years 2018
18057 - Customer Satisfaction Program. Certain vehicles may be missing the child seat top tether anchor label on the center rear seat.
- Service campaignJun 2017· Mobility equipment· model years 2015
15086A - Customer Satisfaction Program. On certain passenger cars and light duty trucks, equipped with Gen 10 OnStar®, the embedded phone flash memory chip may become corrupted, causing the OnStar® system to become inoperative.
- Service campaignMar 2016· Electrical system· model years 2011–2016
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D stored in Telematics Communication Interface Control Module.
- Service campaignJan 2016· Visibility· model years 2015
15224A - customer satisfaction program (revised service procedure).
- Service campaignNov 2015· Visibility· model years 2015
15224 - customer satisfaction program. Certain vehicles equipped with a sunroof (rpo CF5 or C3U) may have an abnormal condition in the sunroof glass panel that can cause the glass to break. Dealers are to inspect and replace the sunroof window glass panel if necessary.
- Service campaignAug 2015· Electrical system· model years 2011–2015
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D stored in Telematics Communication Interface Control Module.
- Service campaignJun 2015· Electrical system· model years 2011
13322B - customer satisfaction program (revised population and service procedure).
- Service campaignApr 2015· Electrical system· model years 2015
14395A - customer satisfaction program (revised labor time). On some 2015 Model year buick encore, lacrosse, regal, and verano; cadillac ats, cts, elr, escalade, srx and xts; chevrolet colorado, corvette, cruze, equinox, impala, malibu, silverado, sonic, spark, ss, suburban,…
- Service campaignFeb 2015· Equipment and accessories· model years 2011
13322A - customer satisfaction program (revised service procedure).
- Service campaignDec 2014· Equipment and accessories· model years 2011
Customer Satisfaction Program - Navigation Radio Loss of Customer Settings
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Regal model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Engine170 (27%)
- Electrical system160 (25%)
- Exterior lights127 (20%)
- Transmission and drivetrain76 (12%)
- Brakes64 (10%)
- Other or unspecified36 (6%)
- Seats31 (5%)
- Steering30 (5%)
Safety recalls
17 recalls cover at least one Regal model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The rear suspension toe links may have received improper corrosion protection, which can result in rear toe link fracture.
In the event of a vacuum-power brake assist failure, a software error in the electronic brake control module (EBCM) may result in a loss of power brake assist.
These vehicles may have rear toe links that received an improper amount of electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris.
These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris.
These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris.
The driver or passenger front seat frames may have a lower crossbar that was improperly welded.
The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
During the manufacturing process, the rear seat belts may have been improperly routed around the bolster bracket on the rear outboard seats, which can cause inadequate restraint of the passengers.
The power seat wiring harness may contact the seat frame, causing the wires to chafe.
Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced…
The affected vehicles have a power-steering assist system that may fail.
In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.
Improperly torqued fasteners may cause the steering intermediate shaft and the steering gear and/or the lower control arm and the lower ball joint to separate.
In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjuster may disengage from the transmission shift lever.
These vehicles may have a condition in which the Generator Control Module (GCM) may not function properly. This could cause a gradual loss of battery charge and the illumination of the malfunction indicator light.
And 2 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- EA21002Engineering analysis· opened Sep 2021, still open· Airbags· model years 2018
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
- AQ14001Audit query· opened May 2014, closed May 2016· Electrical system· model years 2012–2013
Sands Chevrolet/Hybrid System Fire/Stall
- RQ13003Recall query· opened Jul 2013, closed Jul 2014· Electrical system· model years 2012–2013
Generator Control Module Fires
NHTSA's own page for the 2020 Buick Regal has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Buick Regal reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 636 owner complaints, 16 warranty extensions and 19 service campaigns Buick filed, and 17 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2011 (280), 2012 (92), 2013 (91). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Buick Regal?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name engine (27%), electrical system (25%), exterior lights (20%). Buick has filed 16 warranty extensions covering the Regal, listed on this page.
Which Regal model years have the most complaints?
2011 (280), 2012 (92), 2013 (91). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Regal with each other rather than with other models.
Has Buick extended the warranty on the Regal?
Yes: electrical system (model years 2017–2020); engine (model years 2018); transmission and drivetrain (model years 2014), and 13 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Regal?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 17 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.