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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

16 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2021
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

When I shift the car from park to drive it does a VERY HARD jerk. And vehicle has no codes on dash or anything

NHTSA ODI #11429080

Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2021
EngineSteeringUnknown Or Other

The car doesn’t stay on park still will move forward or backwards The gear shift locks and does not move When I turn it makes a huge clack sound

NHTSA ODI #11422078

128,880 miles · May 5, 2021
Service BrakesSteeringUnknown Or Other

I AM HAVING A BRAKING PROBLEM WITH MY 2011 REGAL CLX TURBO. MY BRAKES DO NOT SEEM TO BE RELEASING WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING OUTSIDE AND THE TEMPERATURE IS HIGH. STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AND EVEN WHEN THE BRAKES ARE RELEASED. THE BRAKE PEDAL AND OR PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT DISENGAGING ON THE BUICK REGAL 20…

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I AM HAVING A BRAKING PROBLEM WITH MY 2011 REGAL CLX TURBO. MY BRAKES DO NOT SEEM TO BE RELEASING WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING OUTSIDE AND THE TEMPERATURE IS HIGH. STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AND EVEN WHEN THE BRAKES ARE RELEASED. THE BRAKE PEDAL AND OR PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT DISENGAGING ON THE BUICK REGAL 2011.

NHTSA ODI #11415354

126,000 miles · Jul 12, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

TAKATA RECALL - THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE BALLAST IN THE HID HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY FOR THE CXL TURBO MODEL. THE SEAL MAY BE FAULTY DUE TO THE HEADLAMP SHORTING OUT EXCEPT FOR THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. THEY SHORTED OUT RIGHT AFTER A HEAVY DOWNPOUR AND I WAS STOPPED BY A POLICE OFFICER AND TOLD THAT THEY (THE HEADLIGHTS) WERE OUT. …

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TAKATA RECALL - THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE BALLAST IN THE HID HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY FOR THE CXL TURBO MODEL. THE SEAL MAY BE FAULTY DUE TO THE HEADLAMP SHORTING OUT EXCEPT FOR THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. THEY SHORTED OUT RIGHT AFTER A HEAVY DOWNPOUR AND I WAS STOPPED BY A POLICE OFFICER AND TOLD THAT THEY (THE HEADLIGHTS) WERE OUT. I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED AT THE THE LIGHTS ONLY TO REALIZE THAT THEY HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND THERE WAS MOISTURE IN THE ASSEMBLY ITSELF.

NHTSA ODI #11231437

180,000 miles · Oct 18, 2018
Unknown Or Other

ON 10/17/2018, I WAS LEAVING OUT OF MY WORKPLACE PARKING LOT, WHILE PULLING ON TO THE ROADWAY. MY SUNROOF EXPLODED SENDING GLASS ALL OVER MYSELF AND INSIDE OF MY VEHICLE AND I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO SEE A GAPING HOLE IN MY SUNROOF.

NHTSA ODI #11141334

63,800 miles · Sep 20, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

BRAKE PEDAL STAY DOWN AND DOES NOT RELEASE CAUSING HEATING AND REDUCE ACCELERATION. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE DURING FAST MOVING AND CAN'T PREDICT THE CAR MOVEMENT. BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY NOT DESIGN TO WORK IN A WIDE RANGE OF TEMPERATURES. IT IS SERIOUS DANGER IN THE HIGHWAY DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11130387

63,000 miles · Aug 20, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

AFTER THE CAR SITTING IN THE SUN, DRIVING IN SLOW TRAFFIC THE CAR IS RUNNING ROUGH, THE GAS MILLAGE DROPPED, THE BRAKE MAKING NOISE WHEN YOU STOP. WHEN ACCELERATE THERE IS GRINDING NOISE. I PULLED TO THE SIDE AND TURN OFF THE CAR FOR FIVE MINUTES, I START THE CAR AND IT RUN AS NORMAL. THIS WAS HAPPENING BEFORE FOR 2 MONTH. TAKE …

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AFTER THE CAR SITTING IN THE SUN, DRIVING IN SLOW TRAFFIC THE CAR IS RUNNING ROUGH, THE GAS MILLAGE DROPPED, THE BRAKE MAKING NOISE WHEN YOU STOP. WHEN ACCELERATE THERE IS GRINDING NOISE. I PULLED TO THE SIDE AND TURN OFF THE CAR FOR FIVE MINUTES, I START THE CAR AND IT RUN AS NORMAL. THIS WAS HAPPENING BEFORE FOR 2 MONTH. TAKE IT TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES, THEY ADVISE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. LAST TIME THEY CLEAN THE BEARINGS AND IT DID NOT HELP. FINALLY THEY ADVISE TO REPLACE THE MODULAR FOR THE BRAKE AND THE ACCELERATOR AND IT REQUIRED REMOVE THE DASH BOARD AND LOT OF LABOR TIME. THEY ARE NOT SURE 100% IT WILL WORK AS IT IS NOT SHOWN ON THE SCAN

NHTSA ODI #11120982

Mileage unknown · May 26, 2018
SeatsUnknown Or Other

HI, I'M WRITING TO FILE A SAFETY COMPLAINT. THE BUICK DEALERSHIP WILL NOT PERFORM THE MANUFACTURER SAFETY RECALL FREE OF CHARGE. GM RECALL NUMBER: 2030710 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 16V517 INOPERATIVE POWER SEATS, SEAT FIRES AND SEAT HEATING MODULE CONNECTOR MELTING THE DEALERSHIP STATED WE WOULD NEED TO PAY $700 TO REPAIR …

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HI, I'M WRITING TO FILE A SAFETY COMPLAINT. THE BUICK DEALERSHIP WILL NOT PERFORM THE MANUFACTURER SAFETY RECALL FREE OF CHARGE. GM RECALL NUMBER: 2030710 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 16V517 INOPERATIVE POWER SEATS, SEAT FIRES AND SEAT HEATING MODULE CONNECTOR MELTING THE DEALERSHIP STATED WE WOULD NEED TO PAY $700 TO REPAIR THE PASSENGER SEAT'S INOPERATIVE MOTOR BEFORE THEY COULD PERFORM THE RECALL. THE OTHER RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PERFORMED. BUICK RECALL NUMBER: N120212 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 12V484 TURN SIGNAL LAMP OUTAGE INDICATOR NOT WORKING HOW SHOULD I PROCEED? THANK YOU!

NHTSA ODI #11098095

102,000 miles · Jan 11, 2018
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

BOUGHT MY CAR FROM A REPUTABLE DEALER. THE CAR WAS A FUN TOY FOR ME TO DRIVE. MY 2011 REGAL APPARENTLY HAD HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE SHOP SAYS NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS SEALED AND CAN'T BE SERVICED. ANYWAY MULTIPLE TIMES I'M ON THE ROAD AND IN TOWN AND THE CAR DRIVES OKAY, BUT AS SOON AS MERGE ONTO THE…

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BOUGHT MY CAR FROM A REPUTABLE DEALER. THE CAR WAS A FUN TOY FOR ME TO DRIVE. MY 2011 REGAL APPARENTLY HAD HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE SHOP SAYS NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS SEALED AND CAN'T BE SERVICED. ANYWAY MULTIPLE TIMES I'M ON THE ROAD AND IN TOWN AND THE CAR DRIVES OKAY, BUT AS SOON AS MERGE ONTO THE HIGH WAY THE CAR STALLS. HERES WHAT HAPPENS AS SOON AS I MERGE ONTO THE HIGH WAY THE RPM'S GO WAY UP. THE TRASSMISSION IS STALLED.THE CAR WON'T ACCELERATE. MULTIPLE TIMES I'VE ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS "D" FLASHING AND ENGINE LIGHT IS OFF. I PULL OVER THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TURN THE CAR OFF, AND THEN RESTART THE CAR AND THEN IT WORKS AGAIN. THIS SUCKS. IT HONESTLY A 50 50 CHANCE THE CAR TRANSMISSION WILL STALL WHEN I MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY. I FEEL THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE. MANNY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS RECENTLY AROUND THE SAME MILLAGE OF MINE. AROUND 100,000 MILES. ONLY PROBLEM IS BUICK TAKES BLAME ON THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE ENCLAVE,BUT NOT THE REGAL. WHAT A SHAME.

NHTSA ODI #11062133

63,000 miles · Jun 8, 2017
Unknown Or Other

I RECEIVED A LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 2015 THAT THERE COULD BE A DEFECT IN MY THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. THE SYMPTOMS WERE THAT THE CAR RAN ROUGH, REDUCED POWER, ENGINE LIGHT, ETC. AS SOON AS I RECEIVED THIS LETTER, AND WHILE MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY, I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING W…

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I RECEIVED A LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 2015 THAT THERE COULD BE A DEFECT IN MY THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. THE SYMPTOMS WERE THAT THE CAR RAN ROUGH, REDUCED POWER, ENGINE LIGHT, ETC. AS SOON AS I RECEIVED THIS LETTER, AND WHILE MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY, I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. THERE WAS BUT I CONTINUED TO DRIVE. I THEN MADE SEVERAL OTHER CALLS TO GM UNTIL FINALLY THE CAR BEGAN TO REALLY SHOW SINGS OF A MALFUNCTION. IT IS STALLING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT LUNGES FORWARD WITH GREAT FORCE NEARLY SENDING MY DAUGHTER AND I THROUGH A STORE FRONT WINDOW. THEN IT JUST STARTED STALLING EVERY COUPLE FEET. ALL OF THE SYMPTOMS POINTED TO THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. I WENT TO AUTO ZONE AND O'REILLEYS AND THEY BOTH CAME UP WITH THE SAME CODES P0420 AND P0301 WHICH LEADS TO THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID IF A SPECIFIC CODE DIDN'T COME UP, THEN IT WOULDN'T BE COVERED. OF COURSE THEY SAID THE CODE DIDN'T COME UP AND THAT I WOULD OWE THEM FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC PLUS THEY TOLD ME IT WAS LUNGING FORWARD BECAUSE OF THE OIL LEVEL. NOW I'M NOT A MECHANIC NOR A BRAIN SURGEON BUT I CERTAINLY DO KNOW THAT LOW OIL LEVELS WILL NOT CAUSE A CAR TO LUNGE FORWARD. I ASKED THE MANAGER AT BALLAS IF HE WAS "JUST GOING TO LET ME WALK OUT OF THERE WITH A DANGEROUS VEHICLE" AND HE SAID "THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO". I'VE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ON LINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I PAID $144 FOR THEM TO DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO MY CAR. IF IT WERE LOW ON OIL, WHY DIDN'T THEY JUST ADD OIL. NO, THEY PERFORMED A WHOLE OIL CHANGE WHICH I JUST HAD DONE LESS THAN A MONTH AGO. THEY KEPT SAYING "WELL, YOU DIDN'T BRING IT HERE, YOU WENT SOMEWHERE ELSE" SO? GM NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PART AND MAKE THEIR DEALERSHIPS REPLACE IT NO QUESTIONS ASKED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.

NHTSA ODI #10993978

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.