CSR

Buick · NHTSA safety record

2011 Buick Regal

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 280 safety complaints about the 2011 Buick Regal with the US government. Of those, 7 describe a crash, 7 mention a fire, 7 people were injured and no death is recorded. 4 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 108 complaints, 39% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 66,900 miles, the median across the 205 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers July 2010 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

280 complaints on file

280

Complaints

7

Describe a crash

7

Mention fire

7

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 108 · 39%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 75 · 27%
POWER TRAIN 39 · 14%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 38 · 14%
SERVICE BRAKES 32 · 11%
SEATS 29 · 10%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 19 · 7%
STEERING 17 · 6%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16 · 6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 14 · 5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 13 · 5%
AIR BAGS 8 · 3%
0 46 92

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 280.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2017 at 47.

52 39 26 13
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2010 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2011 Buick Regal. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

4 on file

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

16V517000 · July 7, 2016

The defect
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.
The risk
Chafed harness wires may cause a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 42,984 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

16V502000 · July 5, 2016

The defect
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."
The risk
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 8,367 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

14V447000 · July 23, 2014

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 414,333 vehicles across all model years covered

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

12V484000 · October 4, 2012

The defect
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."
The 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.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 120,426 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 injured · 70,000 miles

THE THROTTLE BODY HAS A DEFECT WHICH SHUTS OFF ALL POWER TO VEHICLE WITH NO NOTICE. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION LOCK UP YOU LOSE ALL STEERING CONTROL AND NO BRAKES. ALSO NO LIGHTS SO WHEN IT HAPPENS AT NIGHT IT IS PITCH BLACK. GM DOES KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND WHEN I QUESTIONED THEM ABOUT THE LOSS OF LIFE LIKE WHAT HAPPEND WITH THE CHEVY CRUZE ALL MEMBERS OF GM ARE TOLD TO HANG UP THE PHONE. IT HAS HAPPEND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THE DEALERSHIP SENT ME BACK ON THE ROAD KNOWING THE PROBLEM. DEALER REP SAID IF I WAS A BETTER CUSTOMER THAY MAY HAVE DONE MORE FOR ME.

NHTSA complaint 11120703. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 injured · fire

I was driving on a back road when my car started smoking and blazed up on passenger side headlights an I see were people have been saying this was seriously fire issue now I'm out of work no car and I was only owner fa 5 months

NHTSA complaint 11473397. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

1 injured · 1,133 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 22 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE FOUR SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ABRUPTLY WITH A LOUD NOISE. THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED BODY BRUISES AS A RESULT OF THE EXTENSIVE FORCE DURING THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AND DECLARED THE AIR BAG DEFECT AS A PRODUCT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,133. UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HIT THE CURB AND THE

NHTSA complaint 10406276, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 injured · 49,882 miles

THE HEADLAMPS BLOW OUT AND UPON EXAMINING THE BULB HOUSING THE WIRING AND THE CASING THAT THE REPLACEMENT BULBS IS SUPPOSE TO BE INSERTED IN IS BURNED OFF. THE WIRING AND THE CASING IS GONE. THE RECALL IS 12V484 IS NOT ADDRESSING THE CONCERN THAT I HAVE OF THE HEADLAMPS CLEARLY FAILING TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS BY BURNING OUT AND NOT GIVING ANY INDICATORS ON THE INFORMATION PANEL THAT THE HEADLAMPS ARE BLOWN. THE CASING IS SO HOT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE THE BULB I BURNED MY HAND AND MY VEHICLE STILL DOES NOT HAVE HEADLAMPS. THIS SHOULD NOT BE SOMETHING THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO REPAIR. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED AT GM EXPENSE. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10648923. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION

towed · 125,000 miles

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 contact's uncle, who was a retired independent mechanic, diagnosed the vehicle with a fractured rear driver’s side toe ring and a rear passenger's side fractured toe link. The contact was informed that the rear driver's

NHTSA complaint 11767557, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

140,000 miles

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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

crash

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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Buick Regal

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2019 19 3 —
2018 19 3 —
2016 41 1 —
2015 33 0 —
2014 38 2 —
2013 91 5 —
2012 92 6 —

Other 2011 Buick models

Enclave 212 Lacrosse 169 Lucerne 49

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Buick on this site — 63 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst