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
What owners actually said
279 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
2011 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER STATES ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE ENGINE STALLED *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO RESTART. THE LAST TWO INSTANCES, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE ECM AND REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP ON JULY 22, 2011. HOWEVER, THE STALLING CONTINUED WELL …
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2011 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER STATES ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE ENGINE STALLED *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO RESTART. THE LAST TWO INSTANCES, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE ECM AND REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP ON JULY 22, 2011. HOWEVER, THE STALLING CONTINUED WELL INTO THE NEXT MONTH. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10431052
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED NO FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED NO FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,121.
NHTSA ODI #10424460
93 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Seats
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER ADJUSTING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT, THE SEAT LEANED FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED A BOLT WAS DETACHED AND ON THE FLOOR NEAR THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS BOTH REAR SEAT BOLTS NOT BEING SECURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER ADJUSTING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT, THE SEAT LEANED FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED A BOLT WAS DETACHED AND ON THE FLOOR NEAR THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS BOTH REAR SEAT BOLTS NOT BEING SECURED TO BODY, CAUSING THE SEAT TO HAVE EXCESSIVE PLAY. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT HOLES FOR THE BODY WOULD NEED TO BE READJUSTED AS SECURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 141. UPDATED 09/14/11*LJ UPDATED 2/21/12 *CN
NHTSA ODI #10416625
2,000 miles · Jun 14, 2011
Parking Brake
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE WAS IN WHAT THE CONTACT BELIEVED TO BE AN UNSAFE POSITION ON THE CONSOLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF THE LEVER WAS INADVERTENTLY HIT, IT WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A HALT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE WAS IN WHAT THE CONTACT BELIEVED TO BE AN UNSAFE POSITION ON THE CONSOLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF THE LEVER WAS INADVERTENTLY HIT, IT WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A HALT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE A DESIGN FLAW THAT NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABRUPTLY STOP WITHOUT THE ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. UPDATED 07/21/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS EN ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE WHICH CAN BE ENGERGIZED BY LIFTING A SWITCH ON THE MIDDLE CONSOLE. IT IS USED WHEN PARKING ON AN INCLINE. THERE IS NO NORMAL FOOT OR HAND LEVER FOR EMERGENCY BRAKING. THE OWNERS MANUAL STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A BRAKE ASSIST FEATURE DESIGNED TO ASSIST THE DRIVER IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION AND IT IS NOT EPB. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE EPB CAN BE ACTIVATED WHILE DRIVING IN ANY GEAR POSITION. THE CONSUMER STATED IF THAT WERE TO HAPPEN, IT WOULD BRING THE VEHICLE TO AN ABRUPT STOP SENDING EVERYONE IN THE VEHICLE TOWARD THE WINDSHIELD.
NHTSA ODI #10406816
1,133 miles · Jun 14, 2011
Air BagsInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 22 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE FOUR SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ABRUPTLY WITH A LOUD NOISE. THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED BODY BRUISES AS A RESULT OF THE EXTENSIVE FORCE DURING THE AIR BAG…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 22 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE FOUR SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ABRUPTLY WITH A LOUD NOISE. THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED BODY BRUISES AS A RESULT OF THE EXTENSIVE FORCE DURING THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AND DECLARED THE AIR BAG DEFECT AS A PRODUCT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,133. UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HIT THE CURB AND THE AIR BAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. 01/30/12
NHTSA ODI #10406276
9,500 miles · Jun 10, 2011
Power Train
2011 BUICK REGAL HAS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AS THE FOOT IS TRANSFERRED FROM ACCELERATOR TO BRAKE WHEN APPROACHING STOP LIGHT. GM COULD NOT FIX PROBLEM. HAD TO TRADE VEHICLE IN FOR NEW CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10405860
13,000 miles · Jan 25, 2011
Electrical System
WE HAVE EXPERIENCED STARTER MISHAPS OFF AND ON SINCE WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE EG: WHEN WE TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, IT WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN UNTIL KEY WAS REMOVED. ON 01/17/11, MY BUICK REGAL 2011 ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. I TOOK IT TO DEALER SERVICE WHERE I BOUGHT IT (LAKE GMC/BUICK OF LAKE ELSINORE CA, TO INVESTIGATE. THEIR FIND…
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WE HAVE EXPERIENCED STARTER MISHAPS OFF AND ON SINCE WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE EG: WHEN WE TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, IT WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN UNTIL KEY WAS REMOVED. ON 01/17/11, MY BUICK REGAL 2011 ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. I TOOK IT TO DEALER SERVICE WHERE I BOUGHT IT (LAKE GMC/BUICK OF LAKE ELSINORE CA, TO INVESTIGATE. THEIR FINDINGS: GAS CAP CAUSED ENGINE LIGHT WARNING. THE CAP WAS REPLACED PER THE SERVICE ADVISER (SANDY). ON 01/20/11, MY WIFE LEFT WORK IN ONTARIO CA AROUND 5PM AND DROVE ONTO THE FRWY I-15 S TOWARDS LAKE ELSINORE. SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. MY WIFE COASTED TO THE SIDE. SHE CALLED ON STAR AND THEY SENT FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO CHRISTOPHER CHRYSLER IN ONTARIO CA. ON 01/ 21/11,FRIDAY PM. CHRISTOPHER SERVICE ADVISER [XXX)]CALLED ME ON MON 01/24/11 TO SAY THAT THEY FOUND A FAULTY STARTER SWITCH BUT HE WANTED TO CHECK OUT ANOTHER POTENTIAL PROBLEM EG: AN AFTER MARKET DEVICE (LOW-JACK) WAS ATTACHED TO THE STARTER AND HE THOUGHT THAT IT MAY ALSO BE CAUSING PROBLEMS. HE SAID THAT HE HAD TO RUN MORE CHECKS AND VERIFY FINDINGS WITH UPPER MGT. HE SAID HE WOULD KEEP THE VEHICLE ANOTHER DAY. ON 01/25/11, AT 8:30 AM, [XXX] CALLED ME AND SAID THAT THE PROBLEM (STARTER SWITCH) WAS FIXED AND CAR IS READY TO PICK UP. I ASKED [XXX] IS THAT THE ONLY PROBLEM? HE SAID YES, AND THAT THEY RECONNECTED THE LOAD-JACK AND FEEL IT WASN'T PART OF THE PROBLEM AFTER DRIVING WITH IT ATTACHED. I ASKED IF HE WAS SURE THAT WE WON'T HAVE ANY MORE PROBLEMS AND HE SAID WE SHOULDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. I TOLD [XXX] THAT MY WIFE IS VERY ANXIOUS AND AFRAID THAT SHE WILL BREAK DOWN ON THE FRWY AGAIN. [XXX] DIDN'T COMMENT ANYMORE. I TOLD HIM THAT MY WIFE WILL PICK UP THE CAR AFTER 5PM THIS DAY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10378624
70 miles · Jan 5, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages
ON NEW 2011 BUICK REGAL CXL SD - WITHIN 2 DAYS OF PURCHASE (70 MILES) - WHILE PARKED, ENGINE ON OR OFF, FRONT PASSENGER DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. COULD ONLY BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. DOOR HANDLE LATCH WAS NOT PROPERLY CLOSING. THE OTHER 2 PASSENGER DOORS WERE BEGINNING TO SHOW THE SAME SYMPTOMS. DEALER ORDE…
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ON NEW 2011 BUICK REGAL CXL SD - WITHIN 2 DAYS OF PURCHASE (70 MILES) - WHILE PARKED, ENGINE ON OR OFF, FRONT PASSENGER DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. COULD ONLY BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. DOOR HANDLE LATCH WAS NOT PROPERLY CLOSING. THE OTHER 2 PASSENGER DOORS WERE BEGINNING TO SHOW THE SAME SYMPTOMS. DEALER ORDERED 3 NEW HANDLE SETS TO BE INSTALLED O/A JAN 8,2011. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10374768
900 miles · Jul 27, 2010
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD REFLECT OFF OF THE WINDSHIELD, OBSCURING THE CONTACTS VISIBILITY DURING NIGHT DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE FURTHER INTO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD REFLECT OFF OF THE WINDSHIELD, OBSCURING THE CONTACTS VISIBILITY DURING NIGHT DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE FURTHER INTO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 900. UPDATED 10/10/2010. *LJ UPDATED 10/05/10
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.
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.
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.
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.
2011 Buick Regal Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year