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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.

About this comparison →

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

Exterior Lighting complaints

38 reports
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46,579 miles · Jun 25, 2019
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS CONDENSATION IN THE HEADLIGHTS AND THEY FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GILBERT CHEVROLET (3550 US-441, OKEECHOBEE, FL 34974, (863) 261-8947) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT MOISTURE WAS IN THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMB…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS CONDENSATION IN THE HEADLIGHTS AND THEY FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GILBERT CHEVROLET (3550 US-441, OKEECHOBEE, FL 34974, (863) 261-8947) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT MOISTURE WAS IN THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 95303514701. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,579.

NHTSA ODI #11222508

136,270 miles · Apr 25, 2019
Exterior Lighting

I AM SEEING MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES HERE: HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/BUICK/REGAL/HEADLIGHTS-PROBLEMS.PHP ON MY BUICK, I AM HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUES. FOR SOME REASON, THERE IS CONDENSATION/WATER ENTERING THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING AND CAUSING THE BALLAST AND BULB TO FAIL. BUICK WANTED $1,215…

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I AM SEEING MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES HERE: HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/BUICK/REGAL/HEADLIGHTS-PROBLEMS.PHP ON MY BUICK, I AM HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUES. FOR SOME REASON, THERE IS CONDENSATION/WATER ENTERING THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING AND CAUSING THE BALLAST AND BULB TO FAIL. BUICK WANTED $1,215.00 TO REPAIR THE HEADLIGHTS. ONE PERSON IN THE SITE ABOVE SAID THE FOLLOWING: "THIS IS DUE TO A FAULTY SEAL BETWEEN THE OUTER AND INNER SHELL ASSEMBLY. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, AS THE VEHICLE MAY LOOSE ALL HEADLIGHTS AND CAUSE THE DRIVER TO CRASH. THE ASSEMBLIES ARE VERY COSTLY TO REPLACE AND THE ISSUE IS VERY COMMON ON ALL 2011 THOUGH 2017 REGAL AND GS MODELS WITH HID. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER. NEW ASSEMBLIES WILL RESULT IN THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. THIS COULD BE A DESIGN FLAW OR A MANUFACTURING FLAW. . . REGARDLESS, IT IS VERY DANGEROUS!." I AM IN A MAJOR PREDICAMENT. I CAN'T AFFORD THE NEW HEADLIGHTS, AND EVEN IF I COULD, THIS PERSON IS STATING THAT THEY ARE LIKELY TO FAIL AGAIN. ALSO, THE WAY THIS BUICK IS DESIGNED, I WAS ABLE TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WITH A MORE INEXPENSIVE BULB. I COULD NOT EASILY REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT, OR ANOTHER BULB THAT IS OUT. THE DESIGN IS A SAFETY RISK AS I CAN'T AFFORD THE DEALERS'S REPAIR COSTS AND CANNOT DO IT MYSELF. THE WASHER FLUID BOTTLE IS IN THE WAY AND THERE WAS NO WAY TO EASILY REMOVE THE HEADLIGHT. THIS PUTS ME AT RISK FOR A CRASH AND ALSO A TICKET FROM POLICE. BUICK SHOULD FIX THIS FOR ALL REGALS WITH THIS ISSUE - ESPECIALLY SINCE THEIR VEHICLES ARE SO INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE ANYWAY..

NHTSA ODI #11203816

40,000 miles · Mar 8, 2019
Exterior Lighting

BOTH SEALED HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES HAVE FAILED AND NOW HAVE CONDENSATION INSIDE OF THEM. THE LIGHTS ARE STILL FUNCTIONAL BUT I AM AFRAID OF A SHORT CIRCUIT. THE DEALER WANTED $1,000 PER HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO REPLACE. THIS VEHICLE STILL HAS UNDER 50,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAPPENED WHILE IT WAS JUST SITTING THERE, BUT I DO DRIVE THROUG…

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BOTH SEALED HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES HAVE FAILED AND NOW HAVE CONDENSATION INSIDE OF THEM. THE LIGHTS ARE STILL FUNCTIONAL BUT I AM AFRAID OF A SHORT CIRCUIT. THE DEALER WANTED $1,000 PER HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO REPLACE. THIS VEHICLE STILL HAS UNDER 50,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAPPENED WHILE IT WAS JUST SITTING THERE, BUT I DO DRIVE THROUGH RAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11184998

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2018
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE HAD THE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED TWICE. WHERE YOU PLUG IN THE HEADLIGHT (LOW BEAM), IT MELTS AND THE HEADLIGHT WILL NOT WORK ANYMORE.

NHTSA ODI #11089876

59,000 miles · Mar 27, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE HEAD LAMP FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE ASSEMBLY AND FOUND THAT THE PLUG THAT CONNECTS TO LIGHT BULB WAS MELTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER KEN FOWLER BUICK OF UKIAH CALIFORNIA AND WAS ADVISED THAT THEY DID NOT SELL JUST THE PLUG;…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE HEAD LAMP FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE ASSEMBLY AND FOUND THAT THE PLUG THAT CONNECTS TO LIGHT BULB WAS MELTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER KEN FOWLER BUICK OF UKIAH CALIFORNIA AND WAS ADVISED THAT THEY DID NOT SELL JUST THE PLUG; THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE PURCHASED. . THE FOLLOWING WEEK THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED, BUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE PLUG WAS BURNED INTENSIVELY, THAT EVEN THE HARNESS WAS MELTED ON THIS OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. *TT *CN

NHTSA ODI #11081531

118,000 miles · Dec 8, 2017
Exterior Lighting

'TAKATA RECALL' LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. BUT HIGH BEAM WORKS JUST FINE.

NHTSA ODI #11053518

70,000 miles · Mar 8, 2017
Exterior Lighting

POLICE STOPPED ME DUE TO MISSING PASSENGER HEADLAMP. AS I WAS REPLACING SAID HEADLIGHT, UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, I NOTICED THAT THE BULB WIRE HARNESS WERE BURNT BLACK. THE SMELL OF BURNING WAS DETECTED.

NHTSA ODI #10959613

34,000 miles · Feb 4, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

WE HAVE LOST OUR INSTRUMENT LIGHTS MANY TIMES WHILE TRAVELING AND AT MANY DIFFERENT SPEEDS, ACCOMPANIED BY THE SMELL OF HOT ELECTRICAL WIRING, I AM 88YRS. OF AGE AND MY WIFE 83YRS. OF AGE AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS TO HER OR MYSELF WHEN TRAVELING IT IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN, WE ARE AFRAID IT MY CAUSE THE LOSS OF OUR LIVES AS A RESULT…

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WE HAVE LOST OUR INSTRUMENT LIGHTS MANY TIMES WHILE TRAVELING AND AT MANY DIFFERENT SPEEDS, ACCOMPANIED BY THE SMELL OF HOT ELECTRICAL WIRING, I AM 88YRS. OF AGE AND MY WIFE 83YRS. OF AGE AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS TO HER OR MYSELF WHEN TRAVELING IT IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN, WE ARE AFRAID IT MY CAUSE THE LOSS OF OUR LIVES AS A RESULT. WE HAVE CONTACTED GM ABOUT THIS. THEIR REPRESENTATIVE DID NOT EXPRESS CONCERN, AND MORE OR LESS STATED IF WE DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING WE SHOULD PARK IT AND NOT DRIVE IT. WE LIVE ON FIXED INCOME WE HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO DRIVE AND CANNOT GET GM TO FIX OUR VEHICLE.THE CAR IS ALWAYS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND HAPPENS AT ALL DIFFERENT SPEEDS, HIGHWAYS, AND CITY STREETS. WITH NO WAY TO JUDGE YOUR SPEED. GM SAFETY RECALL #30710- WIRING HARNESS. GMS ANSWER IS INCOMPLETE: REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!! THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS WITH REGULARITY AND WE ARE CONCERNED THE CAR WILL CATCH FIRE SOMEDAY.

NHTSA ODI #10949528

100,000 miles · Aug 29, 2016
Exterior LightingService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD IN ORDER FOR THE TAIL LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT SENSOR FAILED. THE TAIL LIGHT SENSOR AND BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD IN ORDER FOR THE TAIL LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT SENSOR FAILED. THE TAIL LIGHT SENSOR AND BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10899202

44,000 miles · Apr 11, 2016
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMP DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLAMP BULB SOCKET WAS MELTED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLAMP DID NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMP DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLAMP BULB SOCKET WAS MELTED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLAMP DID NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000.

NHTSA ODI #10854820

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.