← New search

2016 Buick Regal

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Buick Regal do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 29.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected 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

21 reports with mileage · 20 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.

  • Steering. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Engine complaints

5 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2025
EngineVehicle Speed ControlWheels

My Buick stops when driving unknown when it’s a surprise lights and dash go off almost got hit took to mechanics it’s the 2016-17 “throw away motor” ad they call it does not last and gets”metal pieces” to ruin motor and turbo as I have noticed speed issues and dying unexpectedly it’s the regal turbo 2.0 v-6 motor a should be rec…

Read full complaint

My Buick stops when driving unknown when it’s a surprise lights and dash go off almost got hit took to mechanics it’s the 2016-17 “throw away motor” ad they call it does not last and gets”metal pieces” to ruin motor and turbo as I have noticed speed issues and dying unexpectedly it’s the regal turbo 2.0 v-6 motor a should be recall I’ve seen online since at mechanic and a large issue why no recall and I’m reporting this ty

NHTSA ODI #11667836

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2021
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

We purchased this vehicle in May 2016 and from the beginning had strange issues with the engine. It was in and out of the dealer with them trying to figure out the exact problem. They could not, so they contacted GM for approval for an engine replacement. We were concerned about going this route but were assured it would be t…

Read full complaint

We purchased this vehicle in May 2016 and from the beginning had strange issues with the engine. It was in and out of the dealer with them trying to figure out the exact problem. They could not, so they contacted GM for approval for an engine replacement. We were concerned about going this route but were assured it would be taken care of for the life of the car. After the replacement in July 2016, the car seemed to be better but other weird issues arose. The engine always made a squealing noise that we were told was fine. We have done all required maintenance, recalls, and regular service. For the past 2 months, the car has had strange shifting issues. It was taken in to be looked at and nothing was found. The transmission received its' routine maintenance on schedule. It still was a problem and we were told to drive it until a code appeared. The car got progressively worse and had great difficulty shifting, which had us involved in a few close calls. Took it to a different dealer that also didn't find a problem. They said since there was no code, but seemed transmission related, they would drain it and replace the fluid. This also didn't work. We continued to drive the car and almost ended up stranded in the middle of the night while driving the freeway. The car became almost uncontrollable. We made it home. But, the following day while driving it to work, the car was jerking, stalled, and then lost the capability of reverse and neutral. We had to have it towed and a new transmission put in. We were told by the dealer that there was an explosion in the transmission, and we were lucky we were somewhere safe when the car died. It's very frustrating paying for a vehicle that didn't seem right from the beginning. We have put well over $6,500 in trying to repair a car that seems like it was never right in the first place. We have been fortunate that neither of us, or any of our children, have been hurt considering the major issues with our car.

NHTSA ODI #11430409

50,000 miles · Apr 30, 2021
Engine

ENGINE HAS A DEFECT THAT CAUSES A PIECE OF THE ENGINE TO BREAK OFF AND END UP IN THE OIL LINES, ENDS UP IN OIL PAN. THIS DEFECT CAUSES THE ENGINE TO FREEZE AND OWNER MUST REPLACE THE ENGINE. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAD 50K MILES AND I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE IT. I NOW NEED A BRAND NEW ENGINE AND BUICK KNOWS ABOUT DEFECT BUT WON'T ISSUE RECAL…

Read full complaint

ENGINE HAS A DEFECT THAT CAUSES A PIECE OF THE ENGINE TO BREAK OFF AND END UP IN THE OIL LINES, ENDS UP IN OIL PAN. THIS DEFECT CAUSES THE ENGINE TO FREEZE AND OWNER MUST REPLACE THE ENGINE. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAD 50K MILES AND I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE IT. I NOW NEED A BRAND NEW ENGINE AND BUICK KNOWS ABOUT DEFECT BUT WON'T ISSUE RECALL OR FIX THE DEFECT. I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHEN ENGINE SHUT DOWN

NHTSA ODI #11414614

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2021
EngineVehicle Speed Control

WHEN ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE AFTER COMING TO A STOP OR SLOWING DOWN STUMBLING/STUTTERING OCCURRED ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND THE STABILITRAK/ TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. CONTINUED ON INTO THE NEXT DAY WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS EXCEPT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED OFF AND CAME BACK ON WITH AN OIL LIGHT. WAITING ON…

Read full complaint

WHEN ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE AFTER COMING TO A STOP OR SLOWING DOWN STUMBLING/STUTTERING OCCURRED ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND THE STABILITRAK/ TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. CONTINUED ON INTO THE NEXT DAY WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS EXCEPT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED OFF AND CAME BACK ON WITH AN OIL LIGHT. WAITING ON DEALERSHIP TO INSPECT. DEALERSHIP MENTIONED MULTIPLE CARS THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11405282

27,000 miles · Aug 28, 2018
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

I WAS ENTERING A CITY STREET FROM A SHOPPING MALL. AS I FOUND A SMALL BREAK IN THE TRAFFIC I PULLED OUT AND ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. MY CAR DID NOT CHANGE GEARS. I WAS FORCED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD QUICKLY TO PREVENT MY CAR FROM GETTING HIT FROM THE REAR. I HAD BEEN DRIVING AROUND ALL DAY ON THE INTERSTATE AND VARIOUS SHOPPING …

Read full complaint

I WAS ENTERING A CITY STREET FROM A SHOPPING MALL. AS I FOUND A SMALL BREAK IN THE TRAFFIC I PULLED OUT AND ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. MY CAR DID NOT CHANGE GEARS. I WAS FORCED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD QUICKLY TO PREVENT MY CAR FROM GETTING HIT FROM THE REAR. I HAD BEEN DRIVING AROUND ALL DAY ON THE INTERSTATE AND VARIOUS SHOPPING CENTERS WITHOUT ANY INDICATION SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS THE 2ND TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR IN 4 MONTHS WITH NOW WITH ONLY 27K MILES. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 25 DAYS NOW AND NOT SURE WHEN IT WILL BE READY THIS TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11122934

Official recalls

1

16V108000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

Feb 24, 2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Buick Regal Vehicles manufactured August 30, 2015, to February 12, 2016. The affected vehicles have a power-steering assist system that may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loss of power steering assist may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began on March 21, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 21510.

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.