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2011 Buick Regal

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Regal years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Buick Regal are substantially higher than the model-year median of 29.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

204 reports with mileage · 75 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 108 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 75 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports7 fire reports6 injury reports

Engine complaints

108 reports
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64,000 miles · Dec 31, 2018
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LIBERTY BUICK GMC (9028 E INDEPENDENCE BLVD, MATTHEWS, NC 28105, (704) 708-8000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LIBERTY BUICK GMC (9028 E INDEPENDENCE BLVD, MATTHEWS, NC 28105, (704) 708-8000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE OIL WAS BELOW THE LOW MARKER ON THE DIPSTICK. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL LEAK EVIDENT; HOWEVER, THERE WAS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL CONSUMPTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE FAILED.*JB PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *JS

NHTSA ODI #11164246

141,000 miles · Dec 4, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MILES PER HOUR, CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. PRIOR TO THAT, ENTINE CAR SHOOK VIOLENTLY RIGHT BEFORE THE SHUT DOWN. I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE WITH LIGHT TRAFFIC. CAR IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE.

NHTSA ODI #11155891

82,500 miles · Nov 13, 2018
Engine

2.4 L 4CYL ENGINE BURNING EXCESSIVE OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES

NHTSA ODI #11151222

82,000 miles · Nov 2, 2018
Engine

PISTON RING FAILURE CAUSING MASSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILURE

NHTSA ODI #11145049

69,000 miles · Oct 29, 2018
EngineSteering

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. CODE P0011 PRESENT. INDICATING OVER-ADVANCED CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. WHILE PERFORMING A U-TURN, THE VEHICLE DIED/LOST ENGINE POWER AND STEERING LOCKED IN PLACE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS SPREAD ACROSS THREE LANES, AS I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF MY U-TURN, WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC APPROACHING. LUC…

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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. CODE P0011 PRESENT. INDICATING OVER-ADVANCED CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. WHILE PERFORMING A U-TURN, THE VEHICLE DIED/LOST ENGINE POWER AND STEERING LOCKED IN PLACE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS SPREAD ACROSS THREE LANES, AS I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF MY U-TURN, WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC APPROACHING. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR BACK UP AND REGAIN CONTROL JUST AS TRAFFIC NEARED MY POSITION. ALMOST DEADLY SITUATION. ALSO NOTICING ENGINE HESITATION AS WELL AS SHAKING OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IDLING.

NHTSA ODI #11143590

84,000 miles · Oct 1, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

TAMARA RECALL; MY BUICK REGEAL IS 2011 WITH 84000 MILEAGE. A FRUSTRATING ROTTING/GRANDING NOISE COMES OUT FROM THE ENGINE FROM THE CAR IGNITION TURN ON TO ACCELERATING FR0-25MPH, BEFORE THE ANNOYING NOISE STOP. ENGINE ALSO MISFIRE AND CAR DIES WHEN IT LIKES; STABILITY CONTROL INDICATE ON THE SCREEN. WHEN CHECK ONLINE, L…

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TAMARA RECALL; MY BUICK REGEAL IS 2011 WITH 84000 MILEAGE. A FRUSTRATING ROTTING/GRANDING NOISE COMES OUT FROM THE ENGINE FROM THE CAR IGNITION TURN ON TO ACCELERATING FR0-25MPH, BEFORE THE ANNOYING NOISE STOP. ENGINE ALSO MISFIRE AND CAR DIES WHEN IT LIKES; STABILITY CONTROL INDICATE ON THE SCREEN. WHEN CHECK ONLINE, LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM AND HOW DIFFICULT FOR IT TO BE RESOLVE AS MANY THINGS BROCKEN CAN CAUSE THE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #11132660

70,000 miles · Aug 17, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineSteeringInjury

THE THROTTLE BODY HAS A DEFECT WHICH SHUTS OFF ALL POWER TO VEHICLE WITH NO NOTICE. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION LOCK UP YOU LOSE ALL STEERING CONTROL AND NO BRAKES. ALSO NO LIGHTS SO WHEN IT HAPPENS AT NIGHT IT IS PITCH BLACK. GM DOES KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND WHEN I QUESTIONED THEM ABOUT THE LOSS OF LIFE LIKE WHAT HAPPEND W…

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THE THROTTLE BODY HAS A DEFECT WHICH SHUTS OFF ALL POWER TO VEHICLE WITH NO NOTICE. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION LOCK UP YOU LOSE ALL STEERING CONTROL AND NO BRAKES. ALSO NO LIGHTS SO WHEN IT HAPPENS AT NIGHT IT IS PITCH BLACK. GM DOES KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND WHEN I QUESTIONED THEM ABOUT THE LOSS OF LIFE LIKE WHAT HAPPEND WITH THE CHEVY CRUZE ALL MEMBERS OF GM ARE TOLD TO HANG UP THE PHONE. IT HAS HAPPEND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THE DEALERSHIP SENT ME BACK ON THE ROAD KNOWING THE PROBLEM. DEALER REP SAID IF I WAS A BETTER CUSTOMER THAY MAY HAVE DONE MORE FOR ME.

NHTSA ODI #11120703

Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2018
Engine

WE ARE BIG FANS OF OUR BUICK'S, AS OF NOW WE'VE OWNED THREE AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS. BUT NOW WITH ONLY 87,000 MILES ON IT THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDE TENSIONER HAS TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS DIAGNOSED IN AN EMISSIONS TEST. WE'VE LOOKED ON LINE FOR A RECALL AND ALL WE SEE ARE SO MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND NO HELP. THIS IS EXTR…

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WE ARE BIG FANS OF OUR BUICK'S, AS OF NOW WE'VE OWNED THREE AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS. BUT NOW WITH ONLY 87,000 MILES ON IT THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDE TENSIONER HAS TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS DIAGNOSED IN AN EMISSIONS TEST. WE'VE LOOKED ON LINE FOR A RECALL AND ALL WE SEE ARE SO MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND NO HELP. THIS IS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING TO US AS BUICK OWNERS . I'M ASKING THAT YOU RECALL THIS ISSUE AND KEEP US BUICK OWNERS. IT'S A VERY COSTLY ISSUE TO REPLACE AND FOR LESS THAN 90,000 MILES ON OUR REGAL THAT'S NOT NORMAL. I AM ASKING YOU TO CONTRIBUTE/REIMBURSE US FOR AT THE VERY LEAST A PORTION OF THE COST. WITH A BABY ON THE WAY WE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO TAKE IT IN FOR THE REPAIRS. WE'D LOVE TO CONTINUE WITH PURCHASING BUICKS IN THE FUTURE BUT IF THIS WILL NOT BE LOOKED INTO WE WILL HAVE TO RETHINK GM PRODUCTS. PLEASE HELP ALL YOUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS. WHATEVER YOU CAN DO WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED..

NHTSA ODI #11100210

115,000 miles · Jun 6, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO LA FONTAINE BUICK GMC OF ANN ARBO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO LA FONTAINE BUICK GMC OF ANN ARBOR (500 AUTO MALL DR., ANN ARBOR , MI 48103, (734)7079368) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. IN ADDITION, METAL SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN THE ENGINE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

NHTSA ODI #11100155

78,000 miles · May 24, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD WHINING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COPPLE CHEVROLET GMC IN LOUISVILLE, NEBRASKA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND WAS AL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD WHINING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COPPLE CHEVROLET GMC IN LOUISVILLE, NEBRASKA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11097762

Official recalls

4

16V517000 · Electrical System:wiring; Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

Jul 7, 2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured November 3, 2009, to March 25, 2011, equipped with 8-way power adjustable front seats. The power seat wiring harness may contact the seat frame, causing the wires to chafe.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Chafed harness wires may cause a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the wiring harness, and repair any chafed wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 30710.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured November 3, 2009, to March 25, 2011, equipped with 8-way power adjustable front seats. The power seat wiring harness may contact the seat frame, causing the wires to chafe.

Consequence: Chafed harness wires may cause a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the wiring harness, and repair any chafed wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 30710.

Electrical System:wiring

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured November 3, 2009, to March 25, 2011, equipped with 8-way power adjustable front seats. The power seat wiring harness may contact the seat frame, causing the wires to chafe.

Consequence: Chafed harness wires may cause a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the wiring harness, and repair any chafed wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 30710.

16V502000 · Electrical System:ignition; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Jul 5, 2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. 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 with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:ignition

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. 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 with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. 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 with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

14V447000 · Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

Jul 23, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.

12V484000 · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

Oct 4, 2012

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Buick Regal and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with two turn signal bulbs in each front turn signal. If one of the two front turn signal bulbs burn out in either front turn signal lamp, there is no indication to the driver. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the driver is not aware that a turn signal is not functioning properly, the driver may continue to drive the vehicle. If half of a front turn signal is not illuminating, other driver's may not be aware that the affected vehicle is turning, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Buick at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 12212.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.