2013 Buick Regal Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2013 Buick Regal has a complaint index of 85, ranking 3rd worst out of 14 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Electrical System problems make up 69% of its 91 complaints, with 6 recall campaigns filed against the model year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 85/100
- #3 of 14 Regal years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 91
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 19 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2013 Buick Regal problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System63 (69%)
- Engine17 (19%)
- Other9 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain9 (10%)
- Brakes8 (9%)
- Structure & Body6 (7%)
- Fuel System4 (4%)
- Steering4 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles have unexpectedly shut off or lost power while in motion, in some cases linked to electrical wiring problems.
- Headlights have failed after wiring melted near the connector, with the same failure recurring after dealer repair.
- Some owners reported unintended acceleration or surging during low-speed maneuvers such as parking.
- The push-to-start button's placement near the steering wheel allowed the engine to be accidentally shut off while driving.
- Owners reported premature brake pad and rotor wear accompanied by squealing noise at low mileage.
- One owner reported the moonroof shattering while driving on the freeway.
2013 Buick Regal recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V113000Feb 26, 2026Suspension, Wheels & Tires17,050 vehicles
Suspension:rear
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012â2013 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, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear suspension toe links may have received improper corrosion protection, which can result in rear toe link fracture.
Risk: Rear toe link fracture can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. GM's number for this recall is N252537580. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall numbers 20V764, 21V633, and 21V00F.
- NHTSA 21V00F000Dec 22, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires4,271 vehicles
Suspension:rear
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 Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received an improper amount of electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212346640. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recalls 20V-764 and 21V-633.
- NHTSA 21V633000Aug 12, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires32,894 vehicles
Suspension:rear
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, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212330130.
2013 Buick Regal fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,875
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other Regal years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Buick Regal reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2013 Regal a complaint index of 85, the 3rd worst among 14 model years tracked, and it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Regal years.
- What is the most common problem with the 2013 Buick Regal?
- Electrical System issues account for 69% of its 91 complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 60,600 for that category.
- Does the 2013 Buick Regal have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2013 Regal, covering the Suspension, Wheels & Tires and Electrical System, none classified as do-not-drive.
- How does the 2013 Regal compare to other Regal years?
- Its complaint index of 85 is lower than 2011 (100) and 2012 (92) but higher than every year from 2014 onward, and it ranks 3rd worst overall.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Buick Regal?
- The EPA rates it at 22.5 mpg combined (19 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,875.