Buick Regal Problems by Year

We compared every Buick Regal model year from 1995–2020 using 2,351 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 43 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2011, 1998, 1996, 1995 and 1999, which drew far more complaints than other Regal years at the same age. The best years are 2020, 2017 and 2018.

20model years
2,351complaints
43recalls
2011, 1998worst years
2020, 2017best years

Complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’201732041363022461841871171016628092913833412019192
Owner complaints per model year, Buick Regal. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20202−90%2Wheel & TireGood
201919−64%3ElectricalGood
201819−71%3BrakeGood
201720−73%—BrakeGood
201641−48%1SteeringGood
201533−59%—EngineGood
201438−55%2EngineGood
201391typical6HeadlightAverage
201292−15%7HeadlightAverage
20112803.1×4EngineAvoid
200466−83%2ElectricalGood
2003101−56%3EngineGood
2002117−30%3EngineAverage
20011871.2×6EngineAverage
20001841.5×8EngineCaution
19992462.1×6EngineAvoid
19983022.8×6EngineAvoid
19971361.3×7EngineAverage
19962042.4×3BrakeAvoid
19951732.2×8AirbagAvoid

* Complaints compared with the median Regal year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Buick Regal problems

Latest Buick Regal recalls

Suspension › Rear

NHTSA recall 26V-113 · Feb 26, 2026 · 17,050 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Buick Regal Turbo and GS trim-level vehicles that were sold or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio,…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 3, 2026. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300.

Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Electric › Control module › Software

NHTSA recall 22V-465 · Jun 30, 2022 · 23,734 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Buick Regal vehicles. In the event of a vacuum-power brake assist failure, a software error in the electronic brake control module (EBCM) may result in a loss of power brake assist. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No.

Remedy: Dealers will update the EBCM software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters advising owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 19, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022.

Suspension › Rear

NHTSA recall 21V00F000 · Dec 22, 2021 · 4,271 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse, 2012-2013 Buick Regal, and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022.

Suspension › Rear

NHTSA recall 21V-633 · Aug 12, 2021 · 32,894 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Regal, Chevrolet Malibu, and Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio,…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 30, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 2022.

Suspension › Rear

NHTSA recall 20V-764 · Dec 21, 2020 · 220,006 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Buick Regal, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New…

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners free of charge. Parts are not currently available.

All 43 Buick Regal recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Buick Regal should you avoid?

2011, 1998, 1996, 1995, 1999 and 2000 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Regal years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 2011.

What is the best year for the Buick Regal?

2020 has the fewest complaints compared with other Regal years at the same age, followed by 2017 and 2018. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Buick Regal problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (703), electrical system (485) and steering (278). Engine complaints peak in the 2011 model year.

How many recalls has the Buick Regal had?

43 recalls across 1995–2020. The model year with the most is 1995. See all Buick Regal recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.