Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 | 16% | 39,000 miles |
| 2018 | 8 | 42% | 0 miles |
| 2017 | 12 | 60% | 97,000 miles |
| 2016 | 3 | 7% | 108,000 miles |
| 2015 | 2 | 6% | 111,000 miles |
| 2014 | 4 | 11% | 66,000 miles |
| 2013 | 6 | 7% | 55,000 miles |
| 2012 | 9 | 10% | 35,000 miles |
| 2011 | 34 | 12% | 67,000 miles |
| 2004 | 4 | 6% | 25,000 miles |
| 2003 | 10 | 10% | 100,000 miles |
| 2002 | 7 | 6% | 29,000 miles |
| 2001 | 12 | 6% | 84,000 miles |
| 2000 | 13 | 7% | 50,000 miles |
| 1999 | 25 | 10% | 88,000 miles |
| 1998 | 27 | 9% | 55,000 miles |
| 1997 | 11 | 8% | 140,000 miles |
| 1996 | 42 | 21% | 17,000 miles |
| 1995 | 42 | 24% | 110,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2019 Buick Regal. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V465000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Per your site, GM concluded a safety recall was necessary on the 2018-2020 Buick Regal on JUNE 30, 2022 due to partial or full loss of vacuum-brake assist pressure and warns that this "increase[s] the risk of a crash." On AUGUST 23, 2022, I received notice of the safety recall in a letter obliquely dated "August 2022". The letter states that a software fix "is not currently available", but also states, "If you have already paid for repairs for this condition, you may submit those charges using the reimbursement request form that will be provided with the next letter." Notably, the latter statement ostensibly reflects that some entity apart from GM actually does have a software fix for the problem. This is my only vehicle--I do not have the luxury to park it until GM is able to remedy the problem at some unknown date. …
September 10, 2022 I was backing out of my driveway, but the car would not slow down, and I hit a tree on my neighbor's easement across the street. After a minute, I decided to move the car, put the car in drive, and again the car would not slow down, and wound up hitting the porch of my neighbor 2 houses over. I have used my left foot for braking since 1966, so it is not a case of mixing up pedals. My wife called 911, the police and ambulance showed up, and I was taken to the hospital. After x-rays, ultrasound, and 2 CT scans, it was determined that I did not have a brain bleed and I was sent home. The car was towed, examined by the insurance adjustor and body shop, and determined totalled. There were no warning lights, and only later that night did I remember that I had received a recall letter.
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Regal. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V465000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while attempting to depress the brake pedal excessive amount of pressure was needed to depress the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a stop. The failure was more evident while reversing the vehicle. The failure was intermittent. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard as the vehicle rear-ended another vehicle. It was unknown if any warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that no injuries were sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision repair facility. The contact stated he was unaware of the cause of the brake failure as well as what was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred in August of 2022 while driving at 70 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard as the vehicle rolled to a stop. The contact was once again unaware of any warning lights. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vacuum brake booster and sensor were replaced. …
Vacuum Pump blew up forcing cam shaft sensor to blew out of engine and caused my brakes to fail. This happened at a stop sign. I proceed through the stop in front of a semi-tractor. Fortunately it was in front of the police station in(30mph) town zone and he was able to brake before killing me. My vehicle stopped before going through the front door of an auto shop, My Timing Cam is damaged and Shepherds is quoting $2600 to replace, plus an additional $800 already spent in replacing the vacuum pump. I've driven the car an additional 6 months with the cam sensor detached but the vehicle stalls when I slow or stop. This has caused additional hazardous situations. Person(s) will die if this defect is not addressed, it's probably already happened. I have over 25 years in Automotive safety systems design and manufacture, this needs addressed immediately.
I was driving down the highway at 75 mph with my kids in the car and the vacuum pump for the brakes went out which caused my brake pedal to seize up and car brakes would not work while in traffic. I was barely able to get off the highway and get the car to stop. This issue with the pump failing also put debris into the motor and caused motor failure. There was no warning lights on the dash and car was running normal and then all the sudden no brakes out of nowhere. Car is now in a mechanic garage to be fixed. This issue put not only my life and my childrens lives in GREAT danger but also the drivers around me. GM currently has a massive recall for this same issue on other models but my Buick regal is not on the list.
Driving on the highway and abs, stabltrack and steering lights came on. This is the third time in 2 years that a wheel bearing failed on this vehicle. A magnet ring in the wheel bearing that sensors wheel speed failed and fractured causing a loss of power steering, abs, and traction control.
Related recalls (7)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Electric › Control module › Software
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with rear drum brakes. The bolt head(s) on the rear spindle rod can separate.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear spindle bolts.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Some of these vehicles with the key in the "on" position, exhibit a condition in which the antilock brake system (ABS) motor shorts to its case and grounds through a flexible brake fluid pipe.
Remedy: Dealers will install a ground cable from the electronic brake control module (ebcm) to the engine compartment body rail.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The right front brake pipe can contact the piower steering assembly causing the brake line to wear through.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for proper clearance between the brake line and power steering assembly. Assemblies found to be out of position will be repositioned and all assemblies secured to maintain proper clearances.
Show 2 more recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
The left front brake line can contact the transaxle mounting bracket or attachment bolt.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicle for proper brake line clearance and reposition those brake lines found to have less than minimal clearance.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
The rear wheel brake hose(s) can contact the rear suspension components causing the brake hose(s) to wear through.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for proper brake hose position and replace those hoses in an incorrect position with new hoses and correctly routed.
Frequently asked questions
Which Buick Regal years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (42), 1996 (42), 2011 (34), 1998 (27) and 1999 (25) model years. Brake complaints make up 24% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Buick Regal brake problems?
Yes — 7 recalls, including 22V-465 (software, Jun 30, 2022); 18V-576 (caliper, Aug 30, 2018); 00V-143 (drum, May 17, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Buick Regal brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles; 41% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (63 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › rotor (37).
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.