IllustrationPASSENGERS SIDE HEAD LIGHT AND WIRE CONNECTED TO IT MELTED THERE WAS SMOKE IN THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Regal years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
350–25K
4025–50K
4650–75K
3975–100K
33100–150K
11150K+
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 reportsTHE DRIVER SIDE LIGHT BULB & CONNECTOR MELTED. BULB CAN NOT BE REPLACED BECAUSE HOUSING IS DAMAGED. CONTACTED THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT COVERED BY ANY RECALLS. I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY PARTS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A FACTORY DEFECT AND CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THIS PER THE DEALER IS TO REPLACE …
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THE DRIVER SIDE LIGHT BULB & CONNECTOR MELTED. BULB CAN NOT BE REPLACED BECAUSE HOUSING IS DAMAGED. CONTACTED THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT COVERED BY ANY RECALLS. I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY PARTS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A FACTORY DEFECT AND CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THIS PER THE DEALER IS TO REPLACE COMPLETE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V484000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TURNING SIGNAL FAILED SOON AFTER THE RECA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V484000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TURNING SIGNAL FAILED SOON AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHT BULB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,419.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMPS FUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BULBS, CONNECTORS, AND WIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMPS FUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BULBS, CONNECTORS, AND WIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TURN SIGNAL, BRAKE, AND HAZARD LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO FIND A FAILURE. THE LIGHT BULBS WERE CHANGED, BUT THE FAILURES PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TURN SIGNAL, BRAKE, AND HAZARD LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO FIND A FAILURE. THE LIGHT BULBS WERE CHANGED, BUT THE FAILURES PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,115.
MY CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AFTER HAVING A RECALL FIXED ON MY 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE RECALLS THAT WERE FIXED WERE AN OIL LIFE MONITOR CONTROL MODULE AND A TURN SIGNAL CONTROL MODULE. AFTER HAVING THIS FIXED, MY CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHTS NO LONGER ARE WORKING. I WAS PULLED OVER BY A POLICEMAN, OTHER…
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MY CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AFTER HAVING A RECALL FIXED ON MY 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE RECALLS THAT WERE FIXED WERE AN OIL LIFE MONITOR CONTROL MODULE AND A TURN SIGNAL CONTROL MODULE. AFTER HAVING THIS FIXED, MY CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHTS NO LONGER ARE WORKING. I WAS PULLED OVER BY A POLICEMAN, OTHERWISE I DID NOT KNOW THEY WERE NOT WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE BRAKES WILL COME ON ONCE I DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR OF THE CAR, BUT NOT WHILE DRIVING IN NORMAL CONDITIONS. I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED SEVERAL TIMES, AS THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. *TR
THE PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT BULB MELTED. BULB CAN NOT BE REPLACED BECAUSE HOUSING IS DAMAGED. CONTACT THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT COVERED BY ANY RECALLS. I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY PARTS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A FACTORY DEFECT AND CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE ORDERED PART AND I'M STILL WAITING FOR REPLACEMENT FR…
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THE PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT BULB MELTED. BULB CAN NOT BE REPLACED BECAUSE HOUSING IS DAMAGED. CONTACT THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT COVERED BY ANY RECALLS. I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY PARTS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A FACTORY DEFECT AND CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE ORDERED PART AND I'M STILL WAITING FOR REPLACEMENT FROM DEALER. *TR
THE HEADLAMPS BLOW OUT AND UPON EXAMINING THE BULB HOUSING THE WIRING AND THE CASING THAT THE REPLACEMENT BULBS IS SUPPOSE TO BE INSERTED IN IS BURNED OFF. THE WIRING AND THE CASING IS GONE. THE RECALL IS 12V484 IS NOT ADDRESSING THE CONCERN THAT I HAVE OF THE HEADLAMPS CLEARLY FAILING TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY…
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THE HEADLAMPS BLOW OUT AND UPON EXAMINING THE BULB HOUSING THE WIRING AND THE CASING THAT THE REPLACEMENT BULBS IS SUPPOSE TO BE INSERTED IN IS BURNED OFF. THE WIRING AND THE CASING IS GONE. THE RECALL IS 12V484 IS NOT ADDRESSING THE CONCERN THAT I HAVE OF THE HEADLAMPS CLEARLY FAILING TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS BY BURNING OUT AND NOT GIVING ANY INDICATORS ON THE INFORMATION PANEL THAT THE HEADLAMPS ARE BLOWN. THE CASING IS SO HOT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE THE BULB I BURNED MY HAND AND MY VEHICLE STILL DOES NOT HAVE HEADLAMPS. THIS SHOULD NOT BE SOMETHING THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO REPAIR. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED AT GM EXPENSE. *TR
Official recalls
416V517000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.