IllustrationWHENEVER I AM DRIVING MY VEHICLE FOR AN HOUR IT STARTS TO STALL OR SPUTTER IN TRAFFIC AND THE ENGINE DIES COMPLETELY. IT WILL RESTART BUT STILL CONTINUES TO HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING. I'VE TAKEN IT TO A MECHANIC AND NO ERROR CODES POP UP WHEN THIS HAPPENS SO THEY DO NOT KNOW THE CAUSE OR HOW TO FIX THE ISSUE.
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
What owners actually said
279 reportsCONDENSATION STARTED IN DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT TO THE POINT WHEN LIGHT BULBS SHORT OUT AND ARE RUINED AS SOON AS THEY ARE PUT IN. THE WATER ENTERING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS DANGEROUS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO LIMP MODE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE MORE THAN 1 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE RESTARTED IN ORDER TO OPERAT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO LIMP MODE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE MORE THAN 1 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE RESTARTED IN ORDER TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT CALLED VISION BUICK GMC (800 PANORAMA TRAIL S, ROCHESTER, NY 14625, (585) 200-3905) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
I OWN A 2011 BUICK REGAL WITH THE VEHICLE OPTION "TT6" HID HEADLAMPS. BOTH HEADLAMPS ARE CURRENTLY INOPERATIVE. WHAT I HAVE DISCOVERED IS THAT THE FRONT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES HAVE CONDENSATION INSIDE OF THEM. THIS CONDENSATION IN TURN HAS CAUSED NOT ONLY THE HID BULBS TO FAIL BUT ALSO HAS CREATED CORROSION ON THE CONNECTORS WHIC…
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I OWN A 2011 BUICK REGAL WITH THE VEHICLE OPTION "TT6" HID HEADLAMPS. BOTH HEADLAMPS ARE CURRENTLY INOPERATIVE. WHAT I HAVE DISCOVERED IS THAT THE FRONT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES HAVE CONDENSATION INSIDE OF THEM. THIS CONDENSATION IN TURN HAS CAUSED NOT ONLY THE HID BULBS TO FAIL BUT ALSO HAS CREATED CORROSION ON THE CONNECTORS WHICH ATTACH TO THE BALLAST MODULE INSIDE EACH LAMP. THIS HAS RENDERED EACH HEADLAMP COMPLETELY USELESS BECAUSE THE CONNECTORS INSIDE OF THE THEM CANNOT BE REMOVED AS IT IS A SEALED UNIT. THE BALLAST AND THE BULB CAN BE REPLACED BUT THE WIRING/TERMINALS CANNOT BE. ADDITIONALLY, EVEN IF THOSE COMPONENTS COULD BE CHANGED AND THE LIGHTS MIRACULOUSLY CAME BACK TO LIFE, THEY WOULD FAIL AGAIN IN SHORT ORDER DUE TO THE CONDENSATION ISSUE. SIMPLY BUYING A NEW HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY IS THE OBVIOUS FIX BUT EACH UNIT COSTS < $1,250 + TAX AND INSTALLATION, WHICH BY THE WAY, INVOLVES REMOVAL OF THE ENTIRE FRONT FASCIA...ANOTHER $300. THEREFORE HAVING TO SPEND AROUND $3,000 TO GET ONES HEADLAMPS TO FUNCTION IS THE ONLY RECOURSE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE THE LAMPS CAN JUST BLINK OFF WITHOUT ANY NOTIFICATION WHILE DRIVING WITH THE ONLY FIX BEING OBSCENELY EXPENSIVE.
OBD WARNING B0074, B0081 - PPS MODULE FAULTY - CANNOT DETECT PASSENGER WEIGHT IN CAR, THEREFORE DISABLED THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, I AM SEEING MULTIPLE GM ISSUES ON THE SAME ERROR, OBD B0081, FAULTY PPS SENSOR ON COMAROS AND VOLTS
ENGINE AND BRAKES SEIZED UP ON ME WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT, LOW SPEED. TOOK IT IN TO MY MECHANIC AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS AN OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE, EVEN THOUGH I WAS 2K MILES UNDER THE NEXT CHANGE I WAS ALSO 2 QTS LOW.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS SMOKING DUE TO A FAILURE RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V517000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS). TASCA BUICK GMC (55 FORTIN DR, WOONSOCKET, RI 02895, (401) 229-4021) PLACED A HARNESS OVER THE SEAT. THE WIRING WAS COVERED; HOWEVER, THE REMEDY H…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS SMOKING DUE TO A FAILURE RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V517000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS). TASCA BUICK GMC (55 FORTIN DR, WOONSOCKET, RI 02895, (401) 229-4021) PLACED A HARNESS OVER THE SEAT. THE WIRING WAS COVERED; HOWEVER, THE REMEDY HAD NOT BEEN PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
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.
2011 BUICK REGAL PURCHASED FROM SHOW ROOM FLOOR IN 2011. PRESENTATIVE MAINTENANCE UP TO DATE. NO WARNING LIGHTS. SOMETHING TERRIBLY WRONG WITH TRANSMISSION, ENGINE. WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET APPROACHING INTERSTATE AT 25 MPH, CAR STARTING STALLING, PUTTERING, LOSING POWER. PULLED OVER, PUT IN PARK. THEN CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO…
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2011 BUICK REGAL PURCHASED FROM SHOW ROOM FLOOR IN 2011. PRESENTATIVE MAINTENANCE UP TO DATE. NO WARNING LIGHTS. SOMETHING TERRIBLY WRONG WITH TRANSMISSION, ENGINE. WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET APPROACHING INTERSTATE AT 25 MPH, CAR STARTING STALLING, PUTTERING, LOSING POWER. PULLED OVER, PUT IN PARK. THEN CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. WOULD ACCELERATE BUT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR OR MOVE. HAD TO BE TOWED. FIRST THING DEALER SERVICE CENTER SUGGEST IS $3000 TRANSMISSION. CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES, ONE OWNER. NO WAY! NO PRIOR SYMPTOMS OR WARNING LIGHTS, IN FACT ONSTAR DIAGNOSTICS CURRENTLY SHOWING NO ISSUES FOUND WITH ENGINE/TRANSMISSION SYSTEM. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED!!! 2011 BUICK REGAL DIAGNOSTICS REPORT FROM YOUR 2011 BUICK REGAL AS OF 07/08/2019 NO ISSUES FOUND
I HAVE HAD THE DRIVER'S SIDE HID HEADLIGHT BALLAST REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 9 MONTHS DUE TO MOISTURE IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY.
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.