Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Buick Regal owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Regal. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and accelerating to enter the highway, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the traction, stability, and engine power reduced warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated she was able to park on the side of the road for 30 minutes before continuing to drive to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The contact also stated that she was unable to open the doors due to the battery not charging. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
While the vehicle was driving, there was a loss of power, at that moment sparks was seen emanating from under the hood, then the vehicle completely stopped running. Once pulled over smoke was bellowing out from the hood and subsequently ignited into flames. Fire department was dispatched and fire was extinguished. The vehicle was towed away and is still at the tow yard. The tow operator, based on visual inspection stated the fire did start in the engine compartment and spread to the fire wall, totaling the vehicle.
I was driving on a back road when my car started smoking and blazed up on passenger side headlights an I see were people have been saying this was seriously fire issue now I'm out of work no car and I was only owner fa 5 months
The two systems that failed are the airbag release on the front passenger side and the stabilitrak system. Both systems show error lights on the dash. The front seat passenger does not have airbag protection. The stabilitrak system error light appears intermittently and when the traction system goes off the car brakes almost stop the car while driving. We go to Royal Buick in Tucson, Arizona. We worked with Germaine Kendrick. I've attached the dealer service invoice dated April 14, 2023. The invoice summarized the problem and stated that 1) a new seatbelt assesmbly is needed and 2) the service technician states that they can not replicate or repair the traction problems. Today is June 11, 2023. We are still waiting for the seatbelt assembly to "arrive". There is no solution for the traction system. We have phoned and texted 4 times. …
After heavy rain in mid-September 2022, both headlights just stopped working. The dashboard will usually display a warning or pop up symbol that something is not working, but I had no warning and got pulled over driving at dusk with no headlights. There has been been other issues with this vehicle too! The other issues include: Bluetooth connection not working at all, the transmission has "jerking" issues while changing gears and the engine revving too high while only going 30mph while driving in suburban Massachusetts. The car has less than 70k miles, these issues should not be happening. The main issue is the headlights, considering they cost around $200/ea and just stopped working with no notice.
Front headlamp burned out due to moisture in the assembly. There is an issue with the ballast in the headlamp assembly for the turbo model. The seal may be faulty due to the headlamp shorting out except for the daytime running lights. I realized that it had malfunctioned and there was moisture in the assembly itself. My repair shop quoted $1500.00 for the repair/replacement as the whole assebly needs to be replaced. This is definitely a safety hazard and a common one for this make and model. This should be a recall due to the faulty headlamp assembly.
While driving on the highway at 60 mph, warning on dash came on saying "engine power reduced" and drop down speed to around 25 mph and I could not accelerate more than 25 mph on the highway which could have caused an accident because of the traffic flow behind me. I put a code scanner under the dash and it read code P2138, Throttle pedal position sensor switch.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the driver side head lamp failed to illuminate. The contact removed the assembly and found that the plug that connects to light bulb was melted. The contact called the dealer ken fowler Buick of ukiah california and was advised that they did not sell just the plug; the entire assembly had to be purchased. . The following week the same failure occurred, but on the passenger side and the plug was burned intensively, that even the harness was melted on this occasion. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for a diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Buick Regal. While driving 35 MPH, the front driver's seat adjusted independently. The contact stated that there was an abnormal smoke odor coming from the front driver's seat. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed and repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V517000 (electrical system, seats); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was concerned that the dealer had not returned the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,200.
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Buick Regal. While the vehicle was parked with the engine turned off, the engine compartment caught fire. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. No injuries were sustained. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness caught fire and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V517000 (electrical system, seats). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Related recalls
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.
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.
Electrical complaints in other Regal years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2011 Buick Regal?
NHTSA has 75 complaints about the electrical system of the 2011 Buick Regal, 27% of the model year's 280 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Buick Regal electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-502 (ignition, Jul 5, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Buick Regal electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 7 fires and 3 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.