YearToAvoid

2020 Buick Regal Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

10/100

#10 most-complained of 11 Regal years

The 2020 Buick Regal has a Complaint Index of 10, the lowest (best) among the 11 model years with data, with just 2 complaints and 2 recalls. It ranks 10th out of 10 for reported problems, meaning it performs well compared to other Regal years.

Complaints
2
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
24
21 city / 29 hwy

Top 2020 Buick Regal problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System1 (50%)
  2. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (50%)

What owners report

  • A tire lost air pressure and went flat at highway speed near 70 MPH, with the TPMS warning light indicating low pressure in the rear driver's side tire at 200 miles.
  • A front passenger tire developed bubbles on the sidewall around the same time as the flat.
  • The proximity door unlock system intermittently fails to respond, working in and out even when the key fob is in the owner's pocket and within range.
  • The proximity issue persisted despite replacing the key fob battery and other troubleshooting attempts.
2020 Buick Regal complaints: complaints filed per month1Jan 2022May 2023
2 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2022 to May 2023; peak Jan 2022 (1).

2020 Buick Regal recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V465000Jun 30, 2022Brakes23,734 vehicles

    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. 135, "Light vehicle brake systems."

    Risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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. Owners may contact Buick's customer service at 1-800-521-7300.

  2. NHTSA 19V762000Oct 24, 2019Structure & Body341 vehicles

    Seats

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Buick Regal vehicles. The driver or passenger front seat frames may have a lower crossbar that was improperly welded.

    Risk: Seats with improper welds may not provide adequate protection in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of an injury.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the crossbar welds on the front seats. If the crossbar is improperly welded, the seat back frame will be replaced, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed November 26, 2019. Owners received a second notice and the recall began February 20, 2020. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N192278300.

2020 Buick Regal fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21 MPG
Highway
29 MPG
Combined
24 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,175
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
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.

2020 compared with other Regal years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020102011201220132014201520162017201820192020
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Caution7019324
2019Best2019324
2020No verdict102224

All Buick Regal years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Buick Regal reliable?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 Regal has a Complaint Index of 10, the lowest among all 11 model years tracked, with only 2 complaints filed.
What year Buick Regal should I avoid?
NHTSA complaint data points to 2011, 2012, and 2013 as the years to avoid, with Complaint Indexes of 100, 80, and 90 respectively. The 2020 model year is not flagged as an avoid year.
Does the 2020 Buick Regal have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2020 Regal: one for an electronic brake control module software error (campaign 22V465000) and one for improperly welded front seat crossbars (campaign 19V762000).
What is the top problem area for the 2020 Buick Regal?
NHTSA complaint data lists Electrical System as the top problem area, accounting for 50% of the 2 complaints filed for this model year.
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Buick Regal?
EPA rates the 2020 Buick Regal at 24 MPG combined (21 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,175.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.