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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

What owners actually said

279 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2016
Electrical SystemSeats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V517000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V517000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10905865

112,000 miles · Sep 2, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

VEHICLE CUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. LOSS ALL CONTROL WHILE TURNING A CORNER IN TOWN

NHTSA ODI #10903205

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

12,000 miles · Aug 25, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Traction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR RANDOMLY FLASHED. IN ADDITION, UPON MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE HESITATED, SHOOK, AND VIBRATED AS IF IT WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR RANDOMLY FLASHED. IN ADDITION, UPON MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE HESITATED, SHOOK, AND VIBRATED AS IF IT WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT IT STILL EXPERIENCED A SLIGHT VIBRATIONS. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10898483

93,200 miles · Aug 22, 2016
Electrical SystemSeatsFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT ADJUSTED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SMOKE ODOR COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V51700…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT ADJUSTED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SMOKE ODOR COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V517000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DEALER HAD NOT RETURNED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,200.

NHTSA ODI #10897646

90,000 miles · Aug 19, 2016
Electrical SystemSeatsFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 BUICK REGAL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 BUICK REGAL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT FIRE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V517000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10897095

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2016
Unknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN. I WAS GOING 50 MILES AN HOUR AND ALL OF A SUDDEN NO WARNING THE CAR LIKE STALLED AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT CAME ON . CAR STALLED AND I STARTED IT BUT WOULDN'T LET ME GO ANYWHERE! IT WAS DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE GOTTEN US KILLED! I CALLED GM TO REPORT IT FOR A SAFETY RE…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN. I WAS GOING 50 MILES AN HOUR AND ALL OF A SUDDEN NO WARNING THE CAR LIKE STALLED AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT CAME ON . CAR STALLED AND I STARTED IT BUT WOULDN'T LET ME GO ANYWHERE! IT WAS DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE GOTTEN US KILLED! I CALLED GM TO REPORT IT FOR A SAFETY RECALL. I HAD TO PAY $120 FOR A TOW. TOOK TO BUICK DEALER IT WAS A SCREW THAT WASN'T TORQUE RIGHT ON THE TIMING CHAIN. I HAD TO PAY $500 . I SHOULDN'T HAD TO PAY ANYTHING. NOW I NO LONGER HAVE THE CONFIDENCE IN THE NAME OR MY CAR. IT RUNS ROUGH AND IT STARTS TERRIBLE SHAKY. ONLY 50,000 MILES ON IT. CAN YOU IMAGINE BEING ON A HIGHWAY AND YOUR CAR STALLS. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. I HAVE RECEIPTS FROM TOW COMPANY AND THE BUICK DEALER BUT THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME THE PAPERS TO MY VEHICLE. THAT HAD EXACTLY WHAT THEY DID. SO ON MY RECEIPT IT SAYS MISCELLANEOUS! THEY REFUSED TO GIVE ME ANYTHING ELSE. MY CAR HAS 54,000 SOME MILES. MY WARRANTY EXPIRED IN FEBRUARY 2016 ONLY HAD THE CAR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR. FOR SOME REASON I COULD NOT PUT THE MILEAGE BELOW.

NHTSA ODI #10896686

42,000 miles · Aug 17, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY STREET GOT TO RED LIGHT EVERYTHING WAS FINE UNTIL THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDDLE AND THEN MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF COMPLETLY.I HAD TO RESTART THE ENGINE THEN IT DROVE VERY SLUGISH IM JUST GLADE I WASNT IN A CRASH

NHTSA ODI #10896507

10 miles · Aug 4, 2016
Engine

THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE STARTING WHICH IS APART OF A CLASS SUIT BUT HAS NOT BEEN SOLIDIFIED. I AM ANGERED AS TO WHY MY CAR KEEPS NOT STARTING WHEN IN POSITION. I HAVE TO TRY TO START MY VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE ACTUALLY STARTING. NOW I TAKE IT IN AND ITS STILL AN ENGINE ISSUE WHICH THEY SAID IT WAS THE CAMS…

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THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE STARTING WHICH IS APART OF A CLASS SUIT BUT HAS NOT BEEN SOLIDIFIED. I AM ANGERED AS TO WHY MY CAR KEEPS NOT STARTING WHEN IN POSITION. I HAVE TO TRY TO START MY VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE ACTUALLY STARTING. NOW I TAKE IT IN AND ITS STILL AN ENGINE ISSUE WHICH THEY SAID IT WAS THE CAMSHAFT. MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS NO LOANER VEHICLE AND IM NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE. SO UPSETTING.

NHTSA ODI #10893211

72,000 miles · Jul 28, 2016
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ENGINE LOST POWER, STALLED, AND THE STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ENGINE LOST POWER, STALLED, AND THE STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000. ..UPDATED 08/23/16 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10889371

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.