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
46,579 miles · Jun 25, 2019
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS CONDENSATION IN THE HEADLIGHTS AND THEY FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GILBERT CHEVROLET (3550 US-441, OKEECHOBEE, FL 34974, (863) 261-8947) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT MOISTURE WAS IN THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMB…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS CONDENSATION IN THE HEADLIGHTS AND THEY FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GILBERT CHEVROLET (3550 US-441, OKEECHOBEE, FL 34974, (863) 261-8947) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT MOISTURE WAS IN THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 95303514701. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,579.
NHTSA ODI #11222508
121,000 miles · Jun 15, 2019
Service Brakes
AFTER MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR A FEW DAYS, AND ONCE STARTED BACK UP THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULDN'T RETRACT BACK, I WOULD HAVE TO PULL THE BRAKE PEDAL UP WITH MY FOOT.
NHTSA ODI #11220254
88,000 miles · Jun 13, 2019
Engine
BACK ON FEBRUARY 9TH, 2019 I HAD AN OIL CHANGE AND RECEIVED WHATEVER PREMIUM-ULTRA SYNTHETIC OIL THEY HAD. THIS OIL WAS RATED UP TO 9,000 MILES I BELIEVE. AS I WAS HEADING IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE ON THE MORNING OF JUNE 2ND, 2019 THE CAR SUDDENLY LOCKED WITH BRAKES AND STEERING BECOMING EXTREMELY STIFF. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THIS OCCUR…
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BACK ON FEBRUARY 9TH, 2019 I HAD AN OIL CHANGE AND RECEIVED WHATEVER PREMIUM-ULTRA SYNTHETIC OIL THEY HAD. THIS OIL WAS RATED UP TO 9,000 MILES I BELIEVE. AS I WAS HEADING IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE ON THE MORNING OF JUNE 2ND, 2019 THE CAR SUDDENLY LOCKED WITH BRAKES AND STEERING BECOMING EXTREMELY STIFF. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THIS OCCURRED BUT HAD BEEN COMING TO A STOP WITH NOBODY IN FRONT OF ME LUCKILY. HAD THIS HAPPENED 15 SECONDS BEFORE AS I WAS GOING 55MPH AROUND A CURVE, I WOULD HAVE UNDOUBTEDLY KILLED MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE. THERE WAS NO ABILITY TO STEER THE CAR OR BRAKE. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME THE ENGINE WOULD REQUIRE A COMPLETE REBUILD, COSTING SEVEN-THOUSAND-DOLLARS. THEY CLAIM IT WAS CAUSED BY A "LACK OF MAINTENANCE (IE. NOT KEEPING UP ON OIL CHANGES)". THE LACK OF OIL THEN CAUSED THE TIMING CHAIN TO BREAK, WHICH THEN FURTHER DAMAGED INTAKE VALVES, HEAD GASKETS, BALANCE CHAIN, ETC. NOW I KNOW FEBRUARY 9TH AND JUNE 2ND IS NEARLY FOUR MONTHS APART, HOWEVER, IN THAT TIME I HAD PUT LESS THAN 2,000 MILES ON THE CAR. HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW THAT MY ULTRA SYNTHETIC OIL WHICH IS RATED FOR FOUR TIMES LONGER, IN A CAR THAT IN THAT TIME HAD BEEN REPORTED TO BURN OIL, AND DOESN'T HAVE AN OIL LEVEL SENSOR, WOULD BURN OIL? IN MY MIND THIS ISN'T A LACK OF MAINTENANCE, IT IS GM'S LACK OF COMMUNICATION. GM NEVER INFORMED ME OF ANY ISSUES REGARDING OIL BURN, YET THEY SUPPOSEDLY REQUIRE TECHNICIANS TO ROLL BACK THE SENSOR BECAUSE OF THIS VERY ISSUE. I SHOULD ALSO MENTION THAT MIRACULOUSLY THE CAR WASN'T GIVING ANY OUTWARD SIGNS OF DISTRESS INCLUDING EXTRA NOISE, LOUD IDLE, HANDLING DIFFERENCES OR ANYTHING. WHILE MY SITUATION ENDED WITH NO INJURIES, AFTER READING ABOUT THIS ISSUE I AM ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES. THIS ISSUE IS NOT ONLY UNJUSTLY DRAINING BANK ACCOUNTS BUT ALSO COSTING LIVES.
NHTSA ODI #11219822
154,000 miles · May 8, 2019
Engine
HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE BECAUSE OF DETERGENT IN RECOMMENDED ENGINE OIL. WITH THE YEARLY OIL CHANGE AND HIGH DETERGENT LEVELS IT EATS AWAY AT SEALS AND GASKET.
NHTSA ODI #11206252
136,270 miles · Apr 25, 2019
Exterior Lighting
I AM SEEING MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES HERE: HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/BUICK/REGAL/HEADLIGHTS-PROBLEMS.PHP ON MY BUICK, I AM HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUES. FOR SOME REASON, THERE IS CONDENSATION/WATER ENTERING THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING AND CAUSING THE BALLAST AND BULB TO FAIL. BUICK WANTED $1,215…
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I AM SEEING MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES HERE: HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/BUICK/REGAL/HEADLIGHTS-PROBLEMS.PHP ON MY BUICK, I AM HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUES. FOR SOME REASON, THERE IS CONDENSATION/WATER ENTERING THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING AND CAUSING THE BALLAST AND BULB TO FAIL. BUICK WANTED $1,215.00 TO REPAIR THE HEADLIGHTS. ONE PERSON IN THE SITE ABOVE SAID THE FOLLOWING: "THIS IS DUE TO A FAULTY SEAL BETWEEN THE OUTER AND INNER SHELL ASSEMBLY. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, AS THE VEHICLE MAY LOOSE ALL HEADLIGHTS AND CAUSE THE DRIVER TO CRASH. THE ASSEMBLIES ARE VERY COSTLY TO REPLACE AND THE ISSUE IS VERY COMMON ON ALL 2011 THOUGH 2017 REGAL AND GS MODELS WITH HID. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER. NEW ASSEMBLIES WILL RESULT IN THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. THIS COULD BE A DESIGN FLAW OR A MANUFACTURING FLAW. . . REGARDLESS, IT IS VERY DANGEROUS!." I AM IN A MAJOR PREDICAMENT. I CAN'T AFFORD THE NEW HEADLIGHTS, AND EVEN IF I COULD, THIS PERSON IS STATING THAT THEY ARE LIKELY TO FAIL AGAIN. ALSO, THE WAY THIS BUICK IS DESIGNED, I WAS ABLE TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WITH A MORE INEXPENSIVE BULB. I COULD NOT EASILY REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT, OR ANOTHER BULB THAT IS OUT. THE DESIGN IS A SAFETY RISK AS I CAN'T AFFORD THE DEALERS'S REPAIR COSTS AND CANNOT DO IT MYSELF. THE WASHER FLUID BOTTLE IS IN THE WAY AND THERE WAS NO WAY TO EASILY REMOVE THE HEADLIGHT. THIS PUTS ME AT RISK FOR A CRASH AND ALSO A TICKET FROM POLICE. BUICK SHOULD FIX THIS FOR ALL REGALS WITH THIS ISSUE - ESPECIALLY SINCE THEIR VEHICLES ARE SO INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE ANYWAY..
NHTSA ODI #11203816
50,000 miles · Apr 17, 2019
Engine
THE CAR WAS VERY NOISY AT START UP. HAD THE OIL CHANGED, THE NOISE WAS BETTER FOR A WHILE BUT CAME BACK IN LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AND NOW IT IS CONSTANT. THE CAR WILL STALL OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. I WILL LOSE EVERYTHING, ELECTRICAL AND POWER STEERING. THIS WOULD HAPPEN WHETHER OR NOT ON A HIGHWAY OR DURING CITY DRIVING. ENGINE…
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THE CAR WAS VERY NOISY AT START UP. HAD THE OIL CHANGED, THE NOISE WAS BETTER FOR A WHILE BUT CAME BACK IN LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AND NOW IT IS CONSTANT. THE CAR WILL STALL OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. I WILL LOSE EVERYTHING, ELECTRICAL AND POWER STEERING. THIS WOULD HAPPEN WHETHER OR NOT ON A HIGHWAY OR DURING CITY DRIVING. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC. MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS IN REDUCE POWER MODE. CAMSHAFT CORALATION CODE.
NHTSA ODI #11197025
75,000 miles · Apr 16, 2019
Engine
TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED AT JUST LESS THAN 75,000 MILES. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS THAT IT WOULD BE EASIER TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE THAN GET THE PIECES OUT OF THE ENGINE.
NHTSA ODI #11196643
55,000 miles · Apr 11, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion System
NYB CAR HAS LESS THAN 69K MILES AND IS BURNING THROUGH OIL. I BOUGHT IT USED AND THE DEALER LIKED WARRANTY ENDED BEFORE PROBLEMS STARTED. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITHIN THE FIRST 2000 MILES OF ME DRIVING AND THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE ME ANOTHER $200 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. SO I WENT TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE ENGINE WAS BUR…
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NYB CAR HAS LESS THAN 69K MILES AND IS BURNING THROUGH OIL. I BOUGHT IT USED AND THE DEALER LIKED WARRANTY ENDED BEFORE PROBLEMS STARTED. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITHIN THE FIRST 2000 MILES OF ME DRIVING AND THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE ME ANOTHER $200 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. SO I WENT TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE ENGINE WAS BURNING THROUGH OIL FASTER THAN IT SHOULD. AT THIS POINT THE CAR HAD TURNED OFF WHILE UNDER 10MPH TWICE WHICH IS DANGEROUS AS THE BRAKES LOCK UP ALONG WITH STEERING BECOMING VERY STIFF. A MECHANIC DID WORK ON THE CAR REPLACING PLUGS AND OTHER PARTS THAT HAD BEEN DAMAGED FUE TO THE OIL BEING GONE, BUT THE SAME ENGINE IS STILL IN THE CAR. NOW LESS THAN A YEAR LATER ALONG WITH REGULAR OIL CHANGES THE CAR STILL BURNS THROUGH OIL. THE ENGINE CAUSES THE CAR TO ROCK WHEN AT IDLE AND WHEN MOVING UNDER 5MPH. MY FEAR IS THAT IVE CAR WILL SHUT OFF AGAIN. THIS IS A FAULT OF BUICK FOR DESIGNING AN ENGINE THAT CAN'T HOLD OIL.
NHTSA ODI #11195575
98,774 miles · Apr 9, 2019
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SUBURBAN CHEVROLET OF CLINTON (1070 W US-12, CLINTON, MI 49236) WHERE THEY REPLACED THE CONTACT'S KEY. AFTERWARDS, THE SERVICE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEY. ALSO, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SUBURBAN CHEVROLET OF CLINTON (1070 W US-12, CLINTON, MI 49236) WHERE THEY REPLACED THE CONTACT'S KEY. AFTERWARDS, THE SERVICE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEY. ALSO, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,774.
NHTSA ODI #11194938
10 miles · Mar 12, 2019
Engine
ENGINE OF MY CAR ACTS WEIRD AND I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY SAY THERES NOTHING WRONG
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