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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
174,000 miles · May 17, 2017
Engine

ENGINE CONSUMING OIL WITH NO LEAKS. TECH SAID THAT OIL IS PASSING THROUGH RINGS AND BURNING DURING COMBUSTION. MY CAR HAS 174000 MILES AND HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR. I AM VERY UPSET THAT THE REMEDY FOR THIS IS TO OVERHAUL OR REPLACE THE ENGINE. ALSO, A/C DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE. TECH SAYS COMPRESSOR HAS FAILED. PLEASE REMEDY. LAST AM…

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ENGINE CONSUMING OIL WITH NO LEAKS. TECH SAID THAT OIL IS PASSING THROUGH RINGS AND BURNING DURING COMBUSTION. MY CAR HAS 174000 MILES AND HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR. I AM VERY UPSET THAT THE REMEDY FOR THIS IS TO OVERHAUL OR REPLACE THE ENGINE. ALSO, A/C DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE. TECH SAYS COMPRESSOR HAS FAILED. PLEASE REMEDY. LAST AMERICAN CAR I BUY.

NHTSA ODI #10986191

108,000 miles · May 17, 2017
Engine

MY CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE FREEWAY, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO GET HIT BY THE CAR BEHIND ME. THE CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING FINE, THERE WERE NO INDICATOR/WARNING LIGHTS FLASHING ON MY DASH PRIOR TO THIS. I AND IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC CLOSE BY AND HE TOLD ME IT LOOKS LIKE THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE. I BOUGHT THIS AS A …

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MY CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE FREEWAY, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO GET HIT BY THE CAR BEHIND ME. THE CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING FINE, THERE WERE NO INDICATOR/WARNING LIGHTS FLASHING ON MY DASH PRIOR TO THIS. I AND IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC CLOSE BY AND HE TOLD ME IT LOOKS LIKE THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE. I BOUGHT THIS AS A CERTIFIED CAR AND HAVE ALWAYS HAD THE OIL CHANGED AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE INFORMATION LAMP INDICATED IT WAS DUE.

NHTSA ODI #10986129

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2017
Fuel System, Gasoline

2011 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FAULTY DIRECT IGNITION HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE HAD THE SAME IGNITION HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP THAT RESULTED IN A RECALL FOR GMC VEHICLES. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 05/03/20…

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2011 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FAULTY DIRECT IGNITION HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE HAD THE SAME IGNITION HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP THAT RESULTED IN A RECALL FOR GMC VEHICLES. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 05/03/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI #10971348

149,000 miles · Apr 20, 2017
Electrical SystemEngine

REPLACED ENGINE A 2.4L LAF AND TRANSMISSION A 6T-50 WITH BAD TRANS @ 149K MILES ON 2011 BUICK REGAL. REPLACEMENT IS 2011 2.4L LAF ENGINE AND 6T-50 TRANS W/ 17K MILES. CAR NOW HAS P0089 AND P228D CODES AND WHINE FROM HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AS DESCRIBED IN #PIP5203A. TURNS OUT ORIGINAL ENGINE IS A 2010 ENGINE WITH ALL THE CAM …

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REPLACED ENGINE A 2.4L LAF AND TRANSMISSION A 6T-50 WITH BAD TRANS @ 149K MILES ON 2011 BUICK REGAL. REPLACEMENT IS 2011 2.4L LAF ENGINE AND 6T-50 TRANS W/ 17K MILES. CAR NOW HAS P0089 AND P228D CODES AND WHINE FROM HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AS DESCRIBED IN #PIP5203A. TURNS OUT ORIGINAL ENGINE IS A 2010 ENGINE WITH ALL THE CAM CHAIN ISSUES SEEN IN OTHER NHTSA COMPLAINTS. TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY MY DEALER TELLS ME ECM CAN NOT BE REPROGRAMMED TO 2011 BECAUSE PROGRAMMING IS DRIVEN BY THE VIN# ONLY. MY ONLY CHOICE IS TO BUY THE PARTS FROM GM (ABOUT $1000) TO TURN MY ENGINE BACK INTO A 2010 ENGINE OR PAY A DEALER SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS TO DO THE WORK. I`M IN A POSITION OF PAYING SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS MORE FOR THE CAR THEN IT IS WORTH. THIS WAS TO BE MY RETIREMENT GIFT TO MYSELF, GUESS I WILL BE DRIVING MY 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM UNTIL I DROP DEAD. THANKS GM, MY BRAND LOYALTY SURE PAYS OFF. MY ADVICE TO FUTURE CAR BUYERS, BUY ANOTHER BRAND!! P.S. I HOPE THIS CONSTITUTES SOME EMISSION VIOLATION AND THE EPA HITS GM WITH A MULTI MILLION DOLLAR FINE. P.S.S. IT DIES ON THE ROAD TO. WHERE IS MARRY B. WHEN YOU HER?

NHTSA ODI #10979641

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2017
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 FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A…

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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 FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #10967241

89,000 miles · Mar 17, 2017
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

MY VEHICLE ISSUE IS THAT THE EXHAUST VALVES WERE BENT DUE TO A VALVE COVER BOLT THAT RELEASED AND DAMAGED HEAD VALVES AND HEAD ON MOTOR. THIS IS A FACTORY ISSUE DUE TO THE BOLT RELEASING. I AM BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR VEHICLE AND ONLY OWNED VEHICLE FOR LESS THEN 2 YEARS. FOR REPLACEMENT HEAD COST AND OR REPLACING THE MOTOR ITS…

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MY VEHICLE ISSUE IS THAT THE EXHAUST VALVES WERE BENT DUE TO A VALVE COVER BOLT THAT RELEASED AND DAMAGED HEAD VALVES AND HEAD ON MOTOR. THIS IS A FACTORY ISSUE DUE TO THE BOLT RELEASING. I AM BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR VEHICLE AND ONLY OWNED VEHICLE FOR LESS THEN 2 YEARS. FOR REPLACEMENT HEAD COST AND OR REPLACING THE MOTOR ITSELF IS A COSTLY SITUATION. MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN CITY LIMITS AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START,WOULD TRY TO TURN OVER BUT JUST KEEP SPINNING WITHOUT FULL CRANK. I SHOULDN'T BE REPLACING THE MOTOR ON VEHICLE THAT IS STILL WELL UNDER 100,000 MILES AND NO MAJOR ISSUE PRIOR.

NHTSA ODI #10966428

70,000 miles · Mar 8, 2017
Exterior Lighting

POLICE STOPPED ME DUE TO MISSING PASSENGER HEADLAMP. AS I WAS REPLACING SAID HEADLIGHT, UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, I NOTICED THAT THE BULB WIRE HARNESS WERE BURNT BLACK. THE SMELL OF BURNING WAS DETECTED.

NHTSA ODI #10959613

70,000 miles · Mar 7, 2017
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS STRETCHED, WHICH CAUSED A KNOCKING AND TICKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ASSOCIATED WITH THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO FILE A COMPLAINT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS STRETCHED, WHICH CAUSED A KNOCKING AND TICKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ASSOCIATED WITH THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA TO SEE IF THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED PER A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10959056

67,000 miles · Mar 6, 2017
Service Brakes

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES BECOME SO HOT THAT THE ROTORS WILL GLOW RED. THIS WOULD NORMALLY BE A HUNG UP CALLIPER BUT IT SEEMS TO MOVE TO DIFFERENT SIDES OF THE CAR AND DIFFERENT WHEELS. UPON LETTING THE VEHICLE SIT FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, THE ROTOR WILL COOL OFF. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN OR WHERE…

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WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES BECOME SO HOT THAT THE ROTORS WILL GLOW RED. THIS WOULD NORMALLY BE A HUNG UP CALLIPER BUT IT SEEMS TO MOVE TO DIFFERENT SIDES OF THE CAR AND DIFFERENT WHEELS. UPON LETTING THE VEHICLE SIT FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, THE ROTOR WILL COOL OFF. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN OR WHERE THE ROTORS WILL GET THAT HOT AND THE CARS DRIVING AND BRAKING ARE ADVERSELY AFFECTED.

NHTSA ODI #10958766

73,500 miles · Mar 2, 2017
Engine

WHEN AT A STOP SIGN MY VEHICLE DIED. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT BUT AT SLOW SPEEDS IT CONTINUED TO DIE. ON THE WAY HOME, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE CAR PERFORMED FINE. AT SLOW SPEEDS THE REST OF THE DAY AND DURING A TEST DRIVE THE NEXT DAY, AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE DIED ALMOST CONTINUOUSLY, LOSING POWER STEERING ETC. TO GET …

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WHEN AT A STOP SIGN MY VEHICLE DIED. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT BUT AT SLOW SPEEDS IT CONTINUED TO DIE. ON THE WAY HOME, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE CAR PERFORMED FINE. AT SLOW SPEEDS THE REST OF THE DAY AND DURING A TEST DRIVE THE NEXT DAY, AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE DIED ALMOST CONTINUOUSLY, LOSING POWER STEERING ETC. TO GET HOME I HAD TO KEEP A FOOT ON THE GAS WHILE BRAKING/TURNING AND STOPPED TO KEEP THE IDLE SPEED UP. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK REVEALED A P0010 FAILURE CODE FROM WHICH THEY FOUND THE INTAKE CAMSHAFT ACTUATOR SOLENOID WAS SHORTED. THEY REPLACED IT AND CURRENTLY IT IS OPERATING FINE. THEY INDICATED IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND NOT SUBJECT TO THE SPECIFIC VEHICLE RECALL THAT I RECEIVED.

NHTSA ODI #10958019

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.