2011 Buick Regal problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Buick Regal, most often about engine. There are 4 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 63
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 3
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 2
- Median mileage
- 98,500 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 25 of 63 complaints (40%).
- Lighting (13) and electrical system (12) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 98,500 mi.
- Owners reported 3 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries.
- The 2011 Buick Regal has 4 recalls on file.
- It has the most serious complaint record of all 10 Buick Regal model years we track.
2011 Buick Regal problems by category
- Engine · 2 crashes25 complaints
- Lighting13 complaints
- Electrical System12 complaints
- Brakes10 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain · 2 crashes9 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion · 2 crashes9 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech6 complaints
- Suspension6 complaints
- Steering4 complaints
- Other / Unknown3 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control3 complaints
- Airbags · 1 crash2 complaints
- Body & Structure2 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts1 complaints
- Wheels & Tires1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 25 |
| Exterior lighting | 13 |
| Electrical system | 12 |
| Service brakes | 10 |
| Power train | 9 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 8 |
| Suspension | 6 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 5 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2011 Buick Regal recalls (4)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured November 3, 2009, to March 25, 2011, equipped with 8-way power adjustable front seats. The power seat wiring harness may contact the seat frame, causing the wires to chafe.
Risk: Chafed harness wires may cause a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the wiring harness, and repair any chafed wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 30710.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
- SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.
Risk: If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Buick Regal and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with two turn signal bulbs in each front turn signal. If one of the two front turn signal bulbs burn out in either front turn signal lamp, there is no indication to the driver. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: If the driver is not aware that a turn signal is not functioning properly, the driver may continue to drive the vehicle. If half of a front turn signal is not illuminating, other driver's may not be aware that the affected vehicle is turning, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Buick at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 12212.
Recent 2011 Buick Regal complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Sep 28, 2026125,000 miNYTowedSuspension
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Regal. While the contact's daughter was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle jerked and was uncontrollable. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that the rear driver's side toe link was fractured. The contact stated that the rear driver's side toe link was fractured in half and the rear driver's side wheel was leaning. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The…
NHTSA complaint #11767557 · source - Filed May 13, 2026TXElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
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.
NHTSA complaint #11737701 · source - Filed Oct 8, 2025140,000 miCAEngine
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #11692104 · source - Filed Apr 16, 2024KSBody & StructureDriver Assistance & Safety TechEngine
The cars mileage was altered due to car being wrecked prior and the other car that was used to replace wrecked parts was hidden and vin number was altered. Copart Inc and ICT Sharp Rides are party's involved, I bought car on 12/28/2023 mileage was listed as 132525
NHTSA complaint #11583341 · source - Filed Feb 2, 2024OHCrashAirbags
I hit a deer going 60 mph and the airbag didn’t deploy, the service airbag light came on after I hit it. I’d assume that means the airbag tried to deploy but ran into an issue
NHTSA complaint #11569550 · source - Filed Dec 28, 2023ILLighting
Driver side headlamp draws moisture, keeps blowing bulbs at 104.99 a pop. Water gets in the headlight assembly and shorts out the ballast. This happens even when driving down the road at random. It could be pitch black and suddenly you have no headlights and are forced to drive with only fog lamps
NHTSA complaint #11562312 · source - Filed Oct 28, 2023MACrashTowedEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
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…
NHTSA complaint #11552417 · source - Filed Oct 28, 2023MAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
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.
NHTSA complaint #11552410 · source
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Other 2011 Buick models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology