Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Preparing to park into a parking space in an off street parking lot the vehicle forcefully and rapidly accelerated on its' own and crashed into a fence. I was not accelerating. I attempted to stop the car using the brakes but they did not engage quickly enough to stop the rapid, forceful, and without warning acceleration. Buick has been contacted about the defect. Buick ran extensive diagnostics on the car and denies there is a defect. Police came to the scene and advised that given the 2 other incidents that I have experienced, the car is unsafe to drive given potential damage to others. A police report was filed.
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Regal. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle shut off without warning. The vehicle was able to be restarted but continued to experience the same symptoms. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission replaced. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
I was parking in marked space. I had turned into space, my foot was off the gas pedal. The car was 3/4 into the space when it malfunctioned and rapidly accelerated into a hardened snow bank. i instantly braked but there was not enough space to avoid collision.
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.
When pulling into parking space the car rapidly accelerated on its' own and crashed into the car in the next parking space. I did not have my foot on the gas, the car was simply idling. The acceleration was so rapid that applying the brake was useless.
Takata recall - my Regal is 2011. I have not had any problems prior to this. My service stabilitrak ligh began coming on along with ABS light. I also explained the check engine light would come on after filling the tank and it reduced to 3/4 of tank. Last week all lights came in on car as I was parking. Took the car into to be serviced. The dealer completed a diagnosis advising I had a leak from my fuel pump. Needed new fuel pump, fuel injectors. For the ABS problem needed new bearings and sensors. I drove away for second opinion. The next day while driving slowed for a traffic light and pressed gas to take off the car would not accelerate. The engine was running. I had to turn car on and back off to get to move to the center of the road during rush hour. I sat there for a min. Was able crack and get to a safe place off the major road. …
Our cur completely shut off all power lights engine everything doing 80 MPH on interstate 84 in idaho. A semi seen it happen jumped in the middle of both lanes to block traffic so we could get to the shoulder. In a no cell phone area 13 we disconnected the battery and had to shift srive it in limp mode. No alert lights came on we took it yo a certified dealer to find the pistons, timing chain and other things are ntoken GM/ Buick was notified they decided to decline assistance because we are out of warranty 93K miles on the car and over 5,000$ in repair and possibly another 2100$ to repair the cadilitic converter. We were in a no cell service area and had to drive in the shoulder now the headlights won't turn on at all either. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Buick Regal. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning indicator illuminated and an abnormal noise was heard coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to liberty Buick GMC (9028 e independence blvd, matthews, nc 28105, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. On another occasion, while driving, there was an abnormal noise coming from the engine. It was discovered that the engine oil was below the low marker on the dipstick. The contact was informed that there was no oil leak evident; however, there was an excessive amount of oil consumption. The vehicle was not repaired a second time. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and provided case number: [redacted]. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000. …
Bought my car from a reputable dealer. The car was a fun toy for me to drive. My 2011 Regal apparently had has a transmission problem. The shop says needs a new transmission because everything is sealed and can't be serviced. Anyway multiple times I'm on the road and in town and the car drives okay, but as soon as merge onto the high way the car stalls. Heres what happens as soon as I merge onto the high way the RPM's go way up. The trassmission is stalled.the car won't accelerate. Multiple times I've almost had an accident. The instrument cluster has "d" flashing and engine light is off. I pull over the side of the road turn the car off, and then restart the car and then it works again. This sucks. It honestly a 50 50 chance the car transmission will stall when I merge onto the highway. I feel this is a recall issue. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the vehicle would loose power sporadically. The contact stated the check transmission light or stability control light would illuminate on the instrument panel when the failure occurred. The vehicle never stalled, but the contact would loose power steering when the failure occurred. The dealer replaced the computer twice and was also looking at a possible transmission failure, but the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was left with the dealer for more extensive inspection. The failure mileage was 10,000 and the current mileage was 17,000. Updated 7/12/12 the consumer stated while driving, all of a sudden the vehicle started to slow down. He lost all power to the steering and brakes. The transmission control valve arm was replaced. …
Transmission complaints in other Regal years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2011 Buick Regal?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2011 Buick Regal, 14% of the model year's 280 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Buick Regal transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2011 Buick Regal, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Buick Regal transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.