This page covers 6 recalls, 279 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2011 Buick Regal.
21–24 mpg combined
9.8–11.2 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
The 2011 Buick Regal draws the most complaints around the engine and exterior lighting. On the engine side, owners frequently report a "reduced engine power" warning appearing while driving, with the vehicle limiting itself to around 25 mph or less, a throttle pedal position sensor code comes up repeatedly in these accounts. Stalling at low speeds with the check engine light illuminating is another pattern owners describe, sometimes with the vehicle restarting after the fact. The exterior lighting complaints center on the HID headlight assemblies drawing moisture, which owners say shorts out the ballast and causes sudden, complete headlight failure while driving, sometimes with no prior warning. Several owners report cycling through expensive replacement bulbs only to have the same moisture intrusion recur.
279
Total Complaints
7
Crash-Related
7
Fire-Related
6
With Injuries
By System
The 2011 Buick Regal has 6 recalls, the most serious being a fire risk tied to the wiring harness on vehicles with 8-way power adjustable front seats, where the harness can rub against the seat frame, wear through, and short circuit.
Two other recalls are worth noting. On the lighting side, vehicles equipped with dual front turn signal bulbs will give the driver no warning if one of those bulbs burns out, meaning a turn signal can appear to be working from the driver's seat while other road users see nothing. There is also a label recall affecting Canadian-market vehicles where the spare tire size on the tire pressure label is missing the "T" designation, which could lead to confusion when selecting a replacement spare. The ignition park lock recall listed in the filing database applies to the Buick Verano and Chevrolet Malibu, not this vehicle, and does not appear to affect the 2011 Regal.
At a glance
What can fail
The power seat wiring harness may rub against the seat frame, causing the wires to fray and potentially fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the wiring harness, secure it properly, and repair any damaged wires at no cost.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wiring harness for 8-way power adjustable front seats may rub against the seat frame and wear through. Damaged wires could short out, stopping seat adjustments, causing dashboard lights to flicker, or creating sparks and smoke.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the wiring harness, repair any damage, and secure it to prevent contact with the seat frame.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electronic park lock lever may allow you to remove the ignition key even when the transmission is not in PARK, which can lead to unintended vehicle movement.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the key cylinder lock housing if necessary, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
If one front turn signal bulb burns out, the driver gets no warning. The turn signal system doesn't meet safety standards for detecting and alerting the driver to a failed bulb.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a software update to the vehicle.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Each front turn signal contains two bulbs. If one bulb burns out, the driver receives no warning and won't know the turn signal is partially not working.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the body control module software to detect and alert the driver when either front turn signal bulb fails.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tire pressure label lists an incorrect spare tire size, missing the letter 'T'. It shows '125/80R16' instead of 'T125/80R16'.
What the fix does
No corrective action is required, as this labeling error does not affect vehicle safety.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
