Buick Regal Best and Worst Years (2005–2020)
Avoid the 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2018 Buick Regal, which carry complaint indexes of 100, 92, 85, and 77 and multiple recall campaigns. The 2017 and 2019 model years score lowest for complaints (46 and 38) and are rated Good.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 14
- 2005–2020
- NHTSA complaints
- 641
- Recall campaigns
- 17
- Crashes reported
- 25
- Fires reported
- 13
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Regal Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Buick Regal problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | No verdict | 31 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
| 2008 | No verdict | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2009 | No verdict | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Engine | — | — |
| 2010 | No verdict | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Engine | — | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 100 | 279 | 7 | 7 | 4 | Engine | 23 | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 92 | 92 | 3 | 2 | 7 | Electrical System | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 85 | 91 | 6 | 2 | 6 | Electrical System | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 54 | 38 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Engine | 24 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 69 | 33 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Electrical System | 24 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 62 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 24 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Good | 46 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Brakes | 23 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Avoid | 77 | 19 | 5 | 0 | 3 | Brakes | 24 | — |
| 2019 | Good | 38 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 24 | — |
| 2020 | No verdict | 23 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 24 | — |
Regal years to avoid: what went wrong
2011 Buick Regal Index 100 · 279 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2011 Regal has the highest complaint index (100) of any year, driven mainly by engine problems (43% of complaints) and electrical system issues (37%), with a median failure mileage around 65,950 miles. Owners reported sudden unintended acceleration at low speeds in parking lots and sporadic loss of power accompanied by warning lights. NHTSA lists three recalls for this year covering a chafing power-seat wiring harness, a park-lock lever issue, and a power height adjuster bolt defect. Seven crashes and seven fires were reported, though no deaths.
2011 engine problems →2011 electrical system problems →2011 brakes problems →
2012 Buick Regal Index 92 · 92 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2012 Regal ranks second-worst with a complaint index of 92. Electrical system complaints dominate (49% share) with a median failure mileage of 68,000 miles, alongside engine issues (27%). Owners described headlight housings melting from condensation and, in isolated cases, driver seats catching fire while idling. Suspension recalls address rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners across three separate campaigns. Seven recalls total were issued for this model year, and three fires were reported among 92 complaints.
2012 electrical system problems →2012 engine problems →2012 brakes problems →
2013 Buick Regal Index 85 · 91 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2013 Regal carries a complaint index of 85, with electrical system problems making up 69% of complaints and a median failure mileage of 60,600 miles. Owners frequently reported headlight wiring melting and connectors failing, sometimes recurring after dealer repair. Some owners also described sudden unintended acceleration while parking. Six recalls were issued, three of them addressing rear suspension toe link and adjuster fastener defects shared with other GM models.
2018 Buick Regal Index 77 · 19 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2018 Regal has a complaint index of 77 and is rated Avoid partly because of three recall campaigns despite fewer overall complaints (19) than earlier avoid years. Brake problems account for 42% of complaints, with a very low median failure mileage of 169 miles, including reports of vehicles lurching forward when drivers removed their foot from the brake pedal. Engine complaints (37% share) included stalling and hesitation to accelerate at low mileage around 20,000 miles. Recalls cover a brake-assist software error, a brake-bleeding issue, and improperly routed rear seat belts.
Most common Buick Regal problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System260 (41%)
- Engine202 (32%)
- Brakes111 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain77 (12%)
- Other66 (10%)
- Structure & Body59 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires43 (7%)
- Steering39 (6%)
- Fuel System32 (5%)
- Airbags15 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What year Buick Regal should I avoid?
- Avoid the 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2018 model years. These have complaint indexes of 100, 92, 85, and 77, the highest among all Regal years, along with multiple recall campaigns each.
- What is the best year for the Buick Regal?
- No Regal year earns a Best verdict. The 2017 and 2019 model years are rated Good, with complaint indexes of 46 and 38, the lowest among years with a verdict.
- Is the 2011 Buick Regal reliable?
- The 2011 Regal has the highest complaint index (100) of any Regal year, with 279 complaints, four recalls, and reports of unintended acceleration and electrical failures, mostly around 65,950 miles.
- Does the 2018 Buick Regal have a brake recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists a recall for a vacuum-power brake assist software error in the electronic brake control module, plus a separate recall for bleeding the brake system on 2018-2019 vehicles.
- What are the most common Buick Regal problems overall?
- Across all years, electrical system complaints make up 41% of the 641 total complaints, followed by engine issues at 32% and brakes at 17%.